Split Step🎾
🎯 🎾 Split Step – Tennis Tots/Titans Teaching Guide
Movement is integral to Tennis, and while some movements are natural, the Split Step is something that generally needs to be taught. It is effectively a change of direction while maintaining balance. Although usually taught when coming to the net as a transition from linear to sideways movement, the split step is actually used continuously throughout a rally.
Demonstrate: Children will learn from watching the coaches, so please demonstrate at every level. https://youtu.be/Q5Hrn8y-nJA?si=FfkDG36W_DH2anSi
Technique: The split step is very simple to perform. Essentially, with hands in a ready position (holding the racket at waist height in a neutral position), the player will perform a slight jump in the air and land with both feet wider than shoulder-width apart, knees bent, facing their target. A good split step is timed so it lands as the opponent makes contact with the ball over the other side of the net, effectively ready to spring off in any direction needed to react to your opponent.
🧸 Split step progressions
· Dot and brackets: Get the children to run on the spot (drop down dot) and set up two brackets (drop down lines either side). Kids run on spot and when the coach calls “split” they perform a split step in the air, landing each foot on two outside lines (brackets).
· Rugby throws; perform rugby tosses with a partner, letting the ball bounce in front before catching at waist height, the catcher focusing on the split step when it leaves the partner's hand.
· Hitting tee’s. Simplify the hitting to focus on the split step. Get children to move towards the tee, perform a split step, and then hit a forehand/backhand.
· Progress to coach hitting balls and children performing a split each time contact is made with the coach's racket.
· Play “Shields and Serves” (see separate activity sheet) where children are encouraged to use rackets and split steps to protect themselves against incoming fire.
· Volleys, this is an obvious example where a split step is needed
· Full court feeding focusing on splitting on contact from your opponent
Integration: Once the split step lesson has been taught, coaches should continue to encourage split steps throughout children's tennis progressions.
Volleys 🎾
Volleys 🎾
🎯 🎾 Volleys – Tennis Tots/Titans Teaching Guide
Volleys are less important at the Tots/Titans stage, but it's good to introduce them early in tennis. The idea of a volley is to finish the point off at the net. The technique is very different from normal forehands and backhands.
Demonstrate: Children will learn from watching the coaches, so please demonstrate a forehand at every level
Technique: As players approach the net, they do not have time for big swings, so the technique involves keeping the racket head up, creating a V shape, and hitting from high to low. The same grip is used on both volleys (chopper grip), and the hand is turned for backhand. Footwork is crucial in volleying, enabling the body to turn for both forehand and backhand shots, and to attempt to impact the ball at shoulder height whenever possible. For a right-hander, when performing a forehand volley, the left foot wants to move towards the ball and turn the shoulders in the process; for a backhand volley, the right foot steps across. https://youtu.be/b2mHhUeeSvc?si=QIqHEoFzY2GAcfzu
🧸 Volley progressions
· High fives: pair the children up with parents/ other kids; put drop-down lines in front of the child to give them a starting point and get them to step forward and high-five. Encourage back-of-hand high-fives
· Cone hands. Use round cones (one of each colour) and put two fingers through the middle and hold the thumb on the outside. Get parents to have matching coloured cones, and the child matches the colour and high-fives parents' cones like cymbals. Encourage children to step forward across the body by holding the corresponding colour for the child to step across and tag the parent's cone.
· Lollipop volleys: Get children close to the net and to hold the racket up like a lollipop. Feed the ball a bit short so the child has to reach forward and hit down.
· Progress to kids standing further back by putting down lines for the child to recover to, then stepping forward with the correct leg and punching high to low down into the court
· Progress to hitting a groundstroke first, then moving forward and hitting a volley.
· Split step: introduce the idea of split step before volleying for balance
· Smashes: always good to throw in some smashes, which are essentially serves without the ball toss.
Tennis Golf 🏌️♂️
🎯 Tennis Golf
⏱️ Duration: 10–15 minutes: This game would usually run through two or maybe three phases, as is a circuit.
🏗️ Setup & Intro:
Organise children into lines or circles depending on space. Gather everyone together to explain the stations and demonstrate how swing path and racket trajectory change based on the type of shot.
Coach sets up three stations:
🏌️♂️ Drivers
• Use hitting tees to practise forehands.
• Aim to hit with control and distance along the full length of the hall.
• Emphasise low-to-high swing and follow-through.
🏹 Chippers
• For younger kids: hit off a tee or be drop-fed by parents.
• For confident children: self drop-feed.
• Goal: hit the ball high and land it into buckets placed at varying distances.
• Focus on arc, control, and soft hands.
⛳ Putters
• Use soft balls to roll along the ground into upturned plastic tubs.
• Children perform forward-and-backward racket movements, keeping the ball rolling smoothly (not bouncing).
• Emphasise racket face control and touch.
⚡ Progressions (Advanced):
• Introduce topspin technique at all three stations.
• Encourage confident players to control ball height and spin, especially at the Chipper and Putter stations.
🎾 Technical Focus:
• Swing path (low to high)
• Racket angle and face control
• Topspin development
• Control over power
Tennis Fairground 🎪
🟧 General Layout:
Divide the space into four activity zones using cones as boundaries.
Each zone runs horizontally across the court or hall.
Kids move station-to-station, ideally in a clockwise or zig-zag pattern.
Coaches/parents stationed to help with resetting targets and giving technical tips.
🔢 Stations:
1️⃣ Strong Man
Kids hit from a tee (or drop feed) toward the far wall, aiming for distance.
Older kids can hit with more power, younger ones can hit closer.
Use cones to mark out zones they reach for bonus challenges.
For older players, vary to backhands and serves
2️⃣ Chip the Bucket
Multiple small buckets/tubs grouped ahead.
Players chip the ball using a forehand motion (from tee or drop-feed).
Emphasis on height and accuracy to land balls in the tubs.
Label this as “Chipping Zone”
For older players, vary to backhands and serves
3️⃣ Carnival Putters
A straight putting lane with drop-down lines players must stay behind.
Kids gently roll the ball along the floor aiming into upturned tubs.
Focus on pace control, and keeping the ball on the ground and not too hard or the ball will bounce in and out again.
4️⃣ Coconut Shy
Players throw beanbags at balls placed on tees, aiming to knock them off.
Use cones to mark a throwing line they must stay behind.
Optional: Add silly targets like cone towers or “coconuts” for extra fun.
Sweet Spot
🎯 Sweet Spot – Aiming for the Middle
Objective:
To help children develop hand-eye coordination, balance, and racket awareness by focusing on hitting or catching in the sweet spot — the centre of the racket.
👨🏫 Coach Introduction
Sit the children down and introduce the concept of the sweet spot.
🗣️ “This is the middle of the racket — the place where the ball or beanbag feels best when it hits. If you miss the sweet spot, it feels wobbly or bouncy. So today we are going to practise using just the middle.”
🔄 Activity Breakdown
1️⃣ Flip the Pancake
Each child has a racket and a beanbag.
Stand in a wide stance (feet apart), knees slightly bent.
“Sizzle” the pancake (shake it gently), then flip it into the air and catch it — repeat 10x.
Focus: catch in the sweet spot, keep the racket still and balanced.
2️⃣ Catch the Pancake – Parent Involvement
Parents throw beanbags softly toward their child’s racket.
Kids try to catch them using their sweet spot (not hands).
Encourage wide stance and readiness.
Coach walks around helping with stance and control.
3️⃣ Balloon Control
Move to balloons (ideal indoors).
Keep balloon in the air using the racket only.
Try to keep it up for as long as possible using the middle of the racket.
Coach Tip: Use commands like “Ready!” or “Freeze!” to regain focus mid-activity.
4️⃣ Sweet Spot Challenges
Parents throw cones like frisbees (flat traffic cones).
Kids must track them and catch them on the racket.
Adds variation in movement and tracking for kids.
Try left and right throws for lateral footwork.
🪶 Feathers (Simplifications)
Use catching nets instead of rackets
Use scarfs instead of bean bags (to really slow down)
Let children use two hands to hold the racket for better control.
Parents stand closer and throw slower.
⚡ Progressions (Extensions)
Use smaller beanbags or foam balls for advanced groups.
Encourage gentle rallying with parents (hit balloon or ball back and forth, staying in sweet spot).
Try alternating forehand and backhand catches.
Introduce scoring: “Can you catch 3 in a row in the sweet spot?”
SERVING PROGRESSIONS 🎾🎯
Serving progressions 🎾🎯
🧠 Overview
The serve is arguably the most important shot in tennis—and often the most difficult. It’s vital to introduce fundamentals early to build confidence and long-term technique.
Children learn best by imitation, so coaches should demonstrate a forehand or serve at every stage of development, even if simplified.
Good serving technique video: https://youtu.be/0tP2pmXd9Gk?si=iKxPKIPcBQAV3sDu
🧸 Throwing = Serving Foundation
Before a child can serve, they need to learn to throw.
Basic Technique: Start sideways on, with the throwing hand behind the ear.
Progression 1: Introduce hip and shoulder rotation as they throw—use the whole body, not just the arm.
Progression 2: Add targets to encourage distance and accuracy.
💡 Serving Progressions (Starting from Tots)
1. Kiss-Kiss
Children stand sideways, racket in one hand, ball in the other.
They gently "kiss" the ball onto the strings twice:
At knee height
Above the head
This teaches timing and synchronised arm movement.
2. Hammer the Sky
Encourage proper grip: chopper grip, not frying pan.
Children imagine the edge of the racket is a hammer, and they’re hammering a nail into the sky.
Reinforces serving "on edge" to promote correct spin later.
3. Balloons (Indoor Alternative)
Use balloons to slow the action down.
Pop the balloon upward with the non-dominant hand, then “hammer” it with the racket.
Great for developing hand-eye coordination and arm synchronisation.
4. Two Beanbags
Hold one beanbag in each hand.
Toss the first (non-dominant hand) straight up.
Launch the second (dominant hand) from throwing position behind the ear and try to collide them in the air.
Progress to using tennis balls.
5. Slingshot serve
Hold the ball onto the racket and pull back behind your ear.
Release the ball and throw the racket at the same time, projecting the ball
6. Back Scratch & Reach
Child stands sideways on, in “back scratch” position (racket behind their back).
Step 1: Coach holds the racket and guides the swing while tossing the ball.
Step 2: Coach tosses, child swings from back scratch position.
Step 3: Child performs ball toss + swing for a full serving motion.
Note: Focus on technique, not result.
7. Directional Serving
Introduce the concept of serving diagonally from a baseline into a service box.
8. Introduce Chopper Grip
Essential for spin and control.
Introduce early in Titans and Troopers groups.
Reinforces the “on-edge” hammer motion.
9. Lengthen the Action
Start from “back scratch and reach” → progress to full arm extension.
Let the hitting arm dangle, then swing in a throwing motion with a ball toss.
10. Lengthen further: Tossing arm raises straight up, Hitting arm swings back in a smooth pendulum, Contact ball at full reach; focus on rhythm and body coordination, not power.
Sandwich Shop 🥪
🥪 Sandwich Shop
🎯 A creative game focused on balance, control, coordination, colour matching, and fun!
⏱️ Duration: 8–12 minutes
🎤 Coach Script / Introduction
“Who’s hungry? 🍞 Welcome to the Tennis Tots Sandwich Shop! Today you’re not just tennis players — you're chefs!
Your job is to make a sandwich, carry it carefully to the customer, and drop it into the right delivery bag!”
Sit the children down at one end of the hall near the “ingredients” area and demonstrate.
🧺 Game Setup
Scatter soft balls and beanbags in a long line (the “ingredients”).
Ingredients are grouped or colour-coded:
🟡 Cheese = yellow
🔴 Tomato = red
🔵 Blueberry jam = blue
🟢 Salad = green
🟣 Grapes = purple (optional)
Children use two rackets to clamp together 1–3 “ingredients” (beanbags/balls).
Set out “delivery bags” (buckets, cones, hoops, etc.) at the opposite end of the space, each colour-coded to match the sandwich fillings.
🚚 How to Play
1. Build your sandwich using two rackets to scoop and hold the filling(s).
2. Carry the sandwich across the hall to the serving area (large cones/line).
3. Drop the filling into the correctly coloured delivery bag — try to keep the sandwich together until you reach the bag!
4. Return to the start and repeat.
🪶 Feathers (Simplify for Under 3s / Beginners)
Use beanbags only (easier to balance and colour-code).
Allow them to carry with hands or just one racket.
Try making a burrito with a folded drop-down dot over a beanbag if the rackets are difficult to control
Set the delivery bags much closer.
Use cones on their side instead of upright bags to drop into.
Let adults/assistants help “build” the sandwich.
⚡️ Progressions (Older / Confident Children)
Introduce foam balls as sandwich fillings (harder to balance).
Encourage building sandwiches with multiple ingredients.
Add a challenge zone:
Move the bags further away so children must fling the sandwich contents (not the rackets!) by opening their rackets in a coordinated movement.
Introduce a relay format or team competition:
How many sandwiches can you deliver in 2 minutes?
Use racket hand only, or alternate hands each round.
🎾 Coaching Tips
Emphasise control: soft, steady hands on the rackets.
Demonstrate how to clamp and release evenly — both rackets open together.
Reinforce matching skills: talk through colours, food names, and what makes a “complete” sandwich.
For older players, challenge them to balance while walking heel-to-toe or on lines for added focus.
Seasonal variations for the 🥪 Sandwich Shop game — each version adds a themed twist while preserving the original structure of carrying and delivering “sandwiches” using rackets or alternatives:
🎄 Christmas – Christmas Dinner Dash
Children are delivering Christmas dinners to Santa’s elves! Replace fillings with festive items like turkey (brown ball), sprouts (green beanbag), cranberry sauce (red cone), and roasties (yellow ball). Sandwiches are still held between rackets, and delivery cones are labelled with elf names or "North Pole Mail." Kids must carry their Christmas sandwich to the matching colour cone or “chimney.”
🐣 Easter – Easter Picnic Drop-Off
Children are delivering picnic snacks to baby bunnies! Fill sandwiches with chocolate eggs (foil balls or beanbags), carrots (orange cones), or lettuce (green cones), and walk them to baskets (upturned cones or tubs). Add “bunny hops” before delivering to make it fun! Use burritos (drop-down dots with beanbags inside) for younger ones.
🎃 Halloween – Monster Meal Delivery
Children are chefs delivering spooky sandwiches to hungry monsters! Fill with monster eyeballs (white balls), slime (green beanbags), or bat wings (black cones). Carry your sandwich across the haunted hall and drop it into monster mouths (cones with faces drawn on). You can decorate the rackets with cobweb stickers too.
❤️ Valentine’s Day – Love Letter Lunches
Kids deliver “heart sandwiches” full of love to their secret admirers 💌. Fillings might be hearts (red/pink cones or beanbags), and the delivery zones are mailboxes or cones with Valentine messages. Encourage whispering a kind message before dropping their sandwich. Bonus: Let them decorate their rackets with heart stickers.
👩👧 Mother’s Day – Mum’s Breakfast in Bed
Kids build Mum a lovely breakfast sandwich with toast (yellow cones), jam (red), and tea bags (brown beanbags). Gently walk the sandwich to “Mum’s bed” (pink delivery cone) without dropping it. Use burritos as an easier alternative for younger players.
👨👦 Father’s Day – Dad’s Mega Sandwich
Kids make a supersized sandwich with strong fillings like sausages (brown balls), mustard (yellow beanbags), or tools (grey cones!) and deliver to the “Dad Zone.” Use cones with ties or moustaches drawn on. For older kids, move the delivery zones further back and challenge them to throw the filling — not the rackets!
Coach’s Towers 🏰
🪶 FEATHERS (Under 3s / Beginner Tots):
Children begin up close.
A coach or parent helps guide their racket to gently hit a ball off the tee.
The child aims to knock any part of the tower over.
Celebrate every success with a dramatic coach reaction:
“Hey! That was my tower! How dare you!” 😂
🎾 MAIN GAME (Coach’s Towers):
Kids line up on floor dots and take turns hitting forehands from the tee.
Each tries to knock down the coach’s tower across the court.
Coaches act outraged, shouting in jest:
“Nooo! Not my tower!” 🗣️
“That’s the best tower in Sussex!”After a few minutes, move dots to the other side to focus on backhands.
Encourage:
Side-on stance
Low-to-high swing path
Contact in front
🚀 PROGRESSIONS:
Remove the tee: try drop feeds or parent feeds.
Use cones as bonus targets or assign points to each tower.
Introduce "power up" balls like red foam balls for higher reward.
For older children:
Try live feeds + one shot only per go — knock it or miss it!
👻 SEASONAL ALTERNATIVES:
🎃 Halloween – Haunted Tower Edition
Each tower becomes a ghost’s haunted house 🏚️
Top them with scarves, googly eyes, or balloons as ghost heads 👻
When children knock them down, coaches wail:
“Noooo! The ghost is free!”Add “Monster Mode”: Coaches throw ghost scarves at players between turns!
🎅 Christmas – Santa’s Stack
Towers = gift stacks or chimney piles 🎁🎄
Kids help Santa knock down the stuck presents before Christmas Eve
Add jingle bells or decorate towers with wrapping paper!
🐣 Easter – Egg Tower Smash
Towers = egg crates or nesting towers
Children must “rescue the chick” by knocking down the egg towers 🐥
Add small Easter eggs or chicks on top.
💘 Valentine’s – Love Tower Toss
Towers represent love letters stacked in a post box 💌
Add heart stickers or balloons — when they’re knocked over, coaches cry:
“Not my Valentine’s mail!”
Hitting Through the Hoops 🎯
🎯 Hitting Through the Hoops
Focus: Forehand technique, target accuracy, adaptability
Duration: 8–12 minutes (including setup and demonstration)
🎤 Coach Script / Setup:
"Today we're going to practise hitting through hoops — just like archers aiming at a target! 🎯 We're working on our forehand swing and control."
Sit the children down and demonstrate the correct swing technique and aim.
Parents stand in front of the children holding hoops at varying heights, distances, and angles.
Children hit foam balls off tees, aiming to pass the ball cleanly through the hoop.
🧱 Equipment Needed:
Hitting tees
Foam balls
Hoops (held by parents)
Optional: cones to mark out waiting and hitting spots
🎾 Forehand Technique Focus:
Sideways on: Turn your body so your shoulder faces the target.
Strings to the ball: Make sure the racket face is pointing where you want the ball to go.
Low to High: Let the wrist drop and swing upwards for lift and spin.
Finish over the shoulder: End with your racket up and across.
🪶 Feathers (Simplify for Younger Children):
Throw balls and footballs instead of hitting
Let children focus just on swing shape without worrying about aiming through the hoop.
Parents can help load balls onto tees while keeping distance.
Stand closer to the hoop for easier success.
Use balloons instead of balls for easier, slower targets.
⚡️ Progressions (Older / Confident Children):
Parents hold hoops further away or higher/lower to challenge hitting angles.
Children drop-feed themselves instead of using a tee.
Introduce a “wall rally” station — hit against the wall to maintain control.
Balloon rallies: pair up and rally balloon with forehand over a net or mini barrier.
Create a 4-station free-flow circuit with varied hoop setups and hitting challenges.
✅ Coach Tips:
Remind parents to keep one arm extended while holding hoops and stay well back from the tee.
Watch out for over-rotation — remind children to stay sideways on.
Use cues like:
“Lift the pancake” (for low-to-high swing)
“Eyes on the target”
“Finish like a rainbow over your shoulder”e ball, 2 points for hitting the target.
Hitting at Waist Height🎾
Hitting at Waist Height 🎯 – Tennis Tots Activity
Time: 5 minutes
Equipment: Tees / Rackets / Balls / Targets (cones, tubs, etc.)
🧸 Activity Instructions
Set up hitting tees across the space and place targets (like cones or tubs) in the centre. Each child begins by placing a ball on a tee and practices hitting it low to high with their racket.
🟢 Key teaching points:
Start in a ready position
Turn sideways to the ball
Swing from low to high
Encourage control and follow-through
🪶 Feathers (simplify for younger children):
Use balloons or beanbags on the tees to slow things down
Use shorter rackets for more control
Allow children to use their hands to guide the swing at first
Coach or parent can gently help move their arms through the swing
⚡ Progressions (for older or more advanced children):
Drop Feeds by Parents
Parents gently drop the ball in front of the child at waist height.
Encourage kids to move into position and strike the ball from low to high.
Height Variations
Parents begin mixing up their throws:
High – child must adjust and wait for ball to drop to waist height.
Low – child must bend knees and stay under the ball.
Short – child steps in and reaches forward.
Wide – child moves laterally with small steps.
Backhand Practice
Switch to backhand side and apply the same throw variations
Emphasise footwork and early preparation
Introduce Scoring
Add a scoring system: 1 point for hitting the ball, 2 points for hitting the target.
Hitting Stations 🎯
Hitting Stations 🎯
Purpose: Maximise hitting repetition and technique development through multiple live-feed stations while minimising queues and keeping children engaged.
🧠 Coaching Focus:
Promote low-to-high swing path for topspin
Contact at waist height out in front
Footwork to adjust position and balance
Eyes on the ball and recovery after each shot
🏗️ Set-Up Instructions:
Divide the space into multiple stations, all designed for hitting — ideally arranged to hit towards the middle of the space or safely away from each other.
Each station should have:
A feeder/ feeders (assistant coach, parent, or older child)
Nets or barriers for target and containment
Soft balls for most stations (mini red or foam)
Suggested Stations:
🎾 Forehand feed – with assistant or parent feeding
🔁 Backhand feed
🦞 Lenny the Lobster (ball machine)
🎯 Target hitting (e.g., aim at cones or hoops)
🌀 Spin machine or self-fed tees
✋ Throw & hit (throw then strike)
☄️ Serve station with soft balls
Position spin machines and hitting tees around the edge for children waiting or rotating.
🔁 Rotation Flow:
Children hit 5 shots per turn (e.g. 5 forehands)
Then rotate clockwise or as directed by the coach
On the second circuit, switch shot type (e.g. 5 backhands)
✅ Try to give each child two turns per station
✅ Keep queues short — 2 children max per station
🛟 Safety First:
Always hit away from others (position feeders and targets carefully)
Use soft foam balls or mini red balls for most stations
Use smaller hard balls for Lenny the Lobster only
Do not use mini red balls in Lenny – it causes belt wear
Ensure children know to only retrieve balls when play is paused, and not walk in front of Lenny, or put their hands in Lenny. Please note that if using the remote on Lenny and pausing it, the wheels keep spinning, which is dangerous. Please turn it off at the power when not using it for any length of time.
🧩 Staffing Tips:
Assign at least one coach to walk between stations, offering technical feedback
Let parents feed underarm or from bounce — ideal for lower-pressure learning
Encourage all helpers to praise effort and reinforce coaching points
🌟 Optional Add-Ons:
⏱️ Timed stations with whistle rotations (1–2 mins each)
🏆 Add fun challenges like “hit the cone” or “how many in the hoop?”
📸 Take videos of a few great shots for fun feedback at the end
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
Child steps forward to hitting spot
Coach/parent feeds a ball to their forehand (or backhand)
After the hit, child sidesteps (crab-style) around the cone placed to the side
Once around the cone, child joins the back of the queue
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
Forehands – Teaching Guide 🎾
🎾 Forehands – Tennis Tots Teaching Guide
The forehand is often the first shot a child learns in tennis. It's easier than the serve and forms the foundation for many other strokes. Developing strong, fun forehands at this stage builds confidence and enjoyment early on.
👀 Demonstrate!
Children learn by watching. Please demonstrate a forehand at every level – kids mirror what they see!
🛠️ Hitting Tees – Technique Focus
Hitting tees are essential for younger children. They keep the ball still and allow consistent contact at the right height.
🧒 Use for ages walking to 4 years old
🎂 Ages 4–5 can begin live feeding (drop feeds, coach feeds, and basic rallying)
🔄 Rotate children through stations to reduce waiting and increase reps
🧍♂️ Key Technical Points:
📏 Sideways-on stance
🌈 Low to high swing path – like brushing a rainbow
🎯 Contact in the middle of the strings
🤝 Shake-hands grip at bottom of racket
✋ One or two hands – let them explore!
🟢 Use spots on the floor for foot placement
🪶 Feathers (Beginner/Younger Tots)
🎯 Stationary balls on tees
🤝 One-to-one parent support
✋ Gently guide racket hand
🎉 Celebrate ANY contact – big reactions build confidence!
⚡ Progressions (Older/Advanced Tots)
🔽 Drop feeds by coach or parent
🌀 Try brushing for topspin with “spin machines” (foam balls on string, etc.)
✋ Encourage one-handed hitting if ready
🔄 Add a loop in backswing for rhythm
🎯 Focus on target hitting
🤝 Start cooperative rallying over mini nets
🎾 Confident parents/coaches feed to different zones
🧰 Equipment Checklist
🏷️ Tennis tees
🏸 Rackets (17”, 19”, 21”, 23” recommended)
🎾 Foam balls (thick + thin), mini red balls
🟡 Floor spots
🌀 Spin machines / suspended balls (optional)
🏗️ Hoops, cones, mini nets
🎤 Final Coach Note
This section is free-flowing – you’ll often have a wide range of ability levels. Some kids will still be on tees, others might be rallying or even volleying.
✅ Use the parents – coach them on how to challenge their own child.
✅ Aim to interact with every child – offer simple, specific praise or guidance.
✅ Keep it positive and high energy!