Grandmother’s Footsteps 👵🎾
🧭 Game Layout:
• Children line up on one side of the court/hall (start line).
• Coach stands about 10–12 metres away with back turned.
• Coach wears scarves/tails tucked into waistband.
• Each child holds a racket.
• Space marked with cones:
Start line
Grandmother Zone where coach stands.
🔶 Stage 1 – Demonstration & Practice (1 minute)
Purpose: Teach sneaking + freezing before adding competition.
🟡 What to Practise
• Quiet tip-toe movement
• Racket held up
• FREEZE in ready position when coach turns (racket in front of body, wide stance, hips facing forward)
• Balance: feet apart, knees bent
🟡 Quick “Go / Freeze” Drill
Coach calls “Go!” → kids walk
Coach calls “Freeze!” → coach spins
Kids freeze like statues.
🔶 Stage 2 – Main Game (Grandmother’s Footsteps)
Coach turns back to children.
Coach calls “Go!” — children sneak forward.
Coach spins quickly — “FREEZE!”
If a player moves → back to the start line.
First child to reach the coach and grab the scarf tail wins.
Reset and repeat 2–3 rounds.
🧮 SCORING SYSTEM (Optional)
• First child to snatch the tail = Winner
• Play multiple rounds so more kids succeed
• High-five the “Best Freezers” each round
🪶 Feathers (Simplifications for Younger Children)
• Coach turns around more slowly
• Walking only — no running or fast sneaking
• Coach counts “1…2…3… TURN!” to give warning
• Children start closer to coach
• Use a longer scarf tail to make success easier
• Assistant coach helps spot movers
• Allow multiple winners before resetting
⚡️ Progressions (For Older or Confident Children)
• Sudden, unpredictable turns
• Add fake turns (coach flinches without turning fully)
• Children must freeze in perfect ready position
• Use tennis-specific footwork:
Side steps
Split step
Crossover step
• Add two coaches — one turning, one spotting
• Add multiple tails (2–3) so several players can win
• Add a “Safe Zone” halfway; if spotted inside it, only step back one cone
• Add bonus tail worth 2 points
Let the children be the Grandmother! Warning: you may have an issue with timing if they all want to have a go, you may get around it by saying the winner of the last round can be the grandmother.
🎾 Technical Coaching Tips
• “Freeze BIG — freeze STRONG!”
• “Racket up in the air, still and quiet.”
• “Eyes forward, feet apart, knees ready.”
• Praise balance and sharp reaction stops
• Keep rounds short → high engagement
🌈 Seasonal Alternatives
🎄 Christmas – Sneaky Elves
Coach = Santa 🎅
Kids = Elves sneaking up to grab Santa’s present sack tail.
Add Christmas cones, tinsel tail, festive music.
🐣 Easter – Bunny Footsteps
Coach = Easter Bunny 🐇
Kids sneak up to snatch the golden egg tail.
Use pastel cones and call freezes “Egg Freeze!”
🎃 Halloween – Ghost Hunter
Coach = Ghost/Witch 👻🧙
Kids creep through the haunted hall to grab the pumpkin tail.
Use orange cones, cobweb props, spooky music.
💘 Valentine’s – Cupid’s Footsteps
Kids sneak to steal the heart tail from Cupid.
Red/pink cones, call the freezes “LOVE FREEZE!” ❤️
👩👧 Mother’s Day – Garden Fairies
Coach = Mum Fairy 🌸
Kids sneak through the magic garden to grab the flower tail.
👨👧 Father’s Day – Super Dad Smash
Coach = Super Dad 🦸♂️
Kids tip-toe to steal the cape tail.
Use cones as “buildings” in a mini city.