Space Hop 🌌🎾
Space Hop 🌌🎾
🎾 Best for small groups (3–6 kids per coach). For larger groups, split into separate “galaxies”. Similar concept to Fruit Salad.
🛰 Story Script (Set the Scene!)
"Welcome to Space Hop Mission Control! 👩🚀👨🚀
You're each standing on your very own planet (coloured dot) and preparing to blast off. You'll take turns launching tennis balls into space (groundstrokes) and watch out — meteors might strike at any moment! Keep your helmets on (cone hats), stay alert, and don’t float away in zero gravity!"
🧠 Purpose
• Develop forehand and backhand groundstrokes
• Improve footwork, alertness, and reaction time
• Add imagination and engagement through themed play
🏗 Set-Up
• Line up children sideways on dots (planets), parallel to the net
• Coach stands at one end feeding drop feeds (use forehand/backhand depending on side)
• First child in line hits repeatedly — others bounce on toes until it’s their turn
• Coach uses commands to cue changes
🔁 How It Works
• One child at the front hits as many balls as possible while others bounce on their dots
• When coach calls "Space Hop!" 🚀 → everyone moves up one planet and new child becomes hitter
• If anyone stops bouncing (or whenever coach decides) → "Meteor Strike!" ☄️ → coach rolls a ball down the line and they must jump over it
• Call "Meteor Shower!" 🌧 → all kids must dash to the fence and back to their dot without getting tagged by coach’s throws
• Say "Zero Gravity!" 🌕 → kids must spin around once on their dot and continue bouncing
• Add silly extras: wear traffic cones as space helmets 🪖 (upside down), or name the planets (Mars, Venus, Jupiter...)
🪶 Feathers (Easier Variations)
• Shorten distance of feed
• Use foam balls
• Let parents assist on dots or near the net
• Allow underarm throws instead of racquet hits
• Skip meteor elements for very young groups
⚡ Progressions (Older / Confident Players)
• Add targets to hit (like hoops or cones) with rewards, like a shield from the next meteor strike (don’t have to run)
• Score how many balls are hit in a row
• Coach switches ends for backhands
• Add a spinning serve or bounce-hit before space hop
• Have two kids hitting alternately on two sides
🏆 Finishing Ideas
• Final round = “Meteor Mayhem!” — Coach rolls lots of balls while kids dodge back to their dots
• Award space wristbands, star stickers 🌟, or medals
• Take a group photo with cones on heads = Space Crew Shot 📸🛸
Seasonal Variations
🎃 Halloween Hop
Dots = Pumpkins
Rename "Space Hop" to “Pumpkin Pop” – kids line up behind pumpkins to smash spooky balls.
“Meteor Strike” = Witch’s Curse – kids dodge flying broomsticks (rolled balls).
“Meteor Shower” = Ghost Chase – kids must run to the graveyard (fence) and back without being tagged by ghosts (coaches rolling balls).
“Zero Gravity” = Zombie Spin – kids spin like dizzy zombies before returning to position.
👻 Kids wear witch hats or masks made from round cones.
🎄 Christmas Comet
Dots = Presents or sleigh stops
Rename "Space Hop" to “Santa Serve”
“Meteor Strike” = Snowball Fight – dodge snowballs rolled by coaches.
“Meteor Shower” = Sleigh Dash – run to North Pole and back.
“Zero Gravity” = Elf Spins – spin around like dizzy elves.
🎅 Hats = Santa hats, elf ears, or round cones decorated as snow caps.
🐣 Easter Orbit
Dots = Easter Eggs
Rename "Space Hop" to “Egg Blast”
“Meteor Strike” = Bunny Hop – dodge carrots (balls) while hopping on the spot.
“Meteor Shower” = Egg Hunt Dash – run to the fence and back to “find” their egg.
“Zero Gravity” = Chick Spin – kids flap their arms and spin like little chicks.
🐰 Hats = Bunny ears or round cones with egg stickers.
💘 Valentine Volley
Dots = Love Hearts
Rename "Space Hop" to “Heart Shot”
“Meteor Strike” = Cupid’s Arrow – dodge heart-shaped balls
“Meteor Shower” = Love Sprint – run to give a “heart” (high five) to a parent and back.
“Zero Gravity” = Spin of Love – spin with arms open.
❤️ Hats = Cone helmets with hearts on top.