SERVES AND SHIELDS 🛡️

🎯 Focus: Split-step, anticipation, blocking, serving and returning

🎤 Coach Script / Setup

“Today you are defenders — you’re using your rackets as shields to block incoming balls. Can you protect yourself like a superhero or a knight?”

• Space out children across the playing area.

• Each child holds a racket in front of them (two hands if possible), standing in split-step position (knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart, alert).

• Coaches, parents, or older children act as “servers” (or attackers).

• Use foam balls and serve gently toward the children’s bodies (belly height or legs).

• Children must react quickly and block the ball using the sweet spot of their racket — no swinging, just controlled blocks.

• Encourage a mini jump or hop (split-step) just as the server makes contact with the ball.

🪶 Feathers (for younger / less confident children):

• Let children catch the ball with their hands first to practice tracking.

• Use larger softballs or balloons for slower movement.

• Parents can kneel beside them and help guide racket to ball.

• Have them stand closer to the server to reduce ball speed.

⚡️ Progressions (for older / confident children)

• Get some of the kids to serve

• Decrease the distance between servers and the blockers.

• Encourage quicker split-step reactions and back to the ready position.

• Add directional blocking — bring servers 360 degrees from all directions

• Try team version: Line of blockers vs. 1–2 servers, then rotate.

• Last man standing! Last person to get hit wins

• Introduce scoring: 1 point for each successful block; swap roles after 1 minute.