Tennis Tots, Tennis Titans, Tennis Troopers Joseph de la Nougerede Tennis Tots, Tennis Titans, Tennis Troopers Joseph de la Nougerede

🎾 Rally Progressions

‍ Rally Progressions – Teaching Guide
‍ ‍

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr68ma64o6w

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

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