🎾 Rally Progressions
These exercises typically make up the middle portion of a session and can be combined with other rotations such as hitting off tees or coach-fed hitting.
One of the key challenges for young children in Tennis Tots and Tennis Titans is being able to hold a consistent rally over the net. Most children in this age group will find this extremely difficult, even when working with a coach. It’s essential, therefore, to build this skill gradually by simplifying the challenge and slowing things down using props, clear structure, and parental involvement.
Also see the separate game: “Rally in the Alley” for another alternate rally-based exercise.
🛠️ Set-Up – Mini Nets Using Adjustable Hurdles
Use your adjustable hurdles as mini nets. We usually:
Start with the highest rung, allowing children to rally both under and over the bar
Position players either side (coach/parent one side, child on the other)
🌱 FEATHERS (Simplified Variations)
For Tots and less confident Titans:
⚽ Football Pushes Under the Hurdle: Great starting point. Encourage children to roll or push an inflatable ball under the bar using hands or feet.
🎈 Balloon Rally Over the Hurdle (Indoors Only): Balloons slow the pace significantly and make rallying achievable, even for walking-age tots.
🪄 Bounce & Catch: Use an inflatable ball or soft foam ball. Player catches after bounce, then gently rolls or throws back under/over.
🎯 Target Rally with Parents: Focus on cooperation. Place a marker or cone to aim for instead of over a net.
⚡ PROGRESSIONS
🔁 Intermediate Rally Building:
👐 Start with throw & catch over the hurdle using inflatable or foam ball
🔁 Add rhythm: “Throw – bounce – catch – throw – bounce – catch”
🧺 Rally 3+ times before dropping the ball
🔄 Encourage turn-taking: child hits, parent returns, repeat
🏸 Racket Introductions:
👟 Begin with parent and child rallying under the hurdle
🧱 Allow child to control first: catch or volley to settle ball before sending it back
🎾 Start with tee-hits or drop-feeds transitioning into light rallies
↔️ Try back-and-forth rallies using inflatable or foam balls
🧲 Use two drop-down markers to define boundaries/footwork zones
🚀 Progressions for Older or Confident Children:
🎾 Swap from inflatable ball to mini red foam ball
🥎 Begin over the hurdle using low-to-high swing after bounce
↪️ Add serve to start the rally
🔄 Alternate between forehand and backhand
🎽 Create a points-based challenge: e.g. “3 rallies = 1 point”
Encourage children to use topspin and correct hitting technique, accelerating racket paths up the ball.
💡 Coaching Tips:
Demonstrate each variation with energy and exaggeration
Use parents to model correct feeding, rhythm and encouragement
Use cues like “bounce, catch,” or “swing up, let it fly”
Keep sessions positive, even when rallies fail – the process is the progress!
Adjust the net height, ball type, and distance depending on the group’s age and confidence
Further progressions for Titans and Troopers : https://youtu.be/qS5E904i5D4?si=Ivzk553d-9BZFDzF