Around the Cone 🎯

🎯 Around the Cone – 5–10 mins

Theme: Movement, shot repetition, and coordination.
Ideal Age: 5–9 years

🧠 Objective

• Improve forehand/backhand technique
• Introduce dynamic sideways movement
• Build coordination and rhythm
• Reinforce turn-taking and focus while waiting

🎬 Story/Intro Script

“Today we’re going to hit some awesome shots and move around the cone like sideways-stepping crabs! Can you shuffle fast like a crab on the beach and still stay ready for the next ball? Let’s see your crab feet in action!”

🏗 Set-Up

• Line up 2–3 children near the baseline on one side of the court
• Place a large cone around 2–3 steps to the left or right of hitting spot (based on hand being practised)
• Coach or parent stands ready to drop-feed or racket-feed a forehand (or backhand)
• A second coach or parent supports movement or collects balls
• A few “Spin Machines” (e.g., spin tees or drop-serve stations) available for kids waiting in queue

🔁 How to Play

1. Child steps forward to hitting spot

2. Coach/parent feeds a ball to their forehand (or backhand)

3. After the hit, child sidesteps (crab-style) around the cone placed to the side

4. Once around the cone, child joins the back of the queue

5. Waiting children can warm up on spin machines or practise racket taps

🪶 Feathers – Easier Variations

• Use slower balloon or foam ball feed for younger children
• Shorten the crab movement (1 sidestep instead of 3)
• Let parents stand with child to help guide racket movement
• Remove cone entirely for very young children—just focus on hitting and returning

⚡ Progressions – Older Kids / More Challenge

• Add a second cone (zig-zag movement) before they rejoin queue
• Make it a combo hit: forehand, sidestep, then backhand before going around the cone
• Feed at faster tempo
• Add a scoring system (e.g., 1 point for every clean hit)
• Silent round: no talking while playing or moving!

🎉 Seasonal Variations

🌸 Spring / Easter:
• “Hop around the Easter Egg” – place an egg cut-out or pastel cone to sidestep around
• Use bunny ears or hop once before hitting

🎃 Halloween:
• “Creep around the Cauldron” – decorate the cone with spooky theme, tiptoe around like ghosts

🎄 Christmas:
• “Slide around the Snowman” – decorate cone with paper snowman; play to festive music

❤️ Valentine’s Day:
• “Sway around the Heart” – use heart-shaped markers or red cones

👑 Royal Jubilee / National Theme:
• “March around the Crown” – royal-themed cone, pretend you’re guarding the palace