Ten-pin Tennis 🎾 🤾♂️🎳💥
Ten-pin Tennis 🎾 🤾♂️🎳💥
Set-up
· Create a traffic grid using cones: two horizontal lines of cones at either end of the space and two vertical lines in between, forming three alleys. Note put a line of round cones at the end of the alley to stop and hit from.
· Place all the spare rackets (butt end up) at the far end of each alley to act as skittles.
o Tip: You can swap rackets for tees or upright foam targets for variety.
How to Play:
1. Coaches demonstrate with an inflatable ball.
2. Player starts at the baseline and dribbles the ball hockey-style with their racket, keeping inside one alley.
3. When they reach the end, they bowl:
o Pick up the ball.
o Drop it, let it bounce once, and hit it towards the skittles.
o Aim to knock down as many as possible.
Note, younger Tots may want to hit it along the ground or carry the ball and roll/ throw the ball at the skittles.
4. After bowling, the player runs back to collect another ball and repeats in the same or a different alley, or carry their ball back to the start of the alley.
5. Alternate between forehands and backhands each turn.
Coaching Tips
· Emphasise control over speed when dribbling.
· Show correct grip for both forehand and backhand bowling shots.
· Encourage aiming for specific skittles rather than just the whole group.
Variations & Challenges
1. One Alley Each: Allocate one alley per team and see which team can clear all skittles first.
2. Timed Challenge: Players have 60 seconds to knock down as many skittles as possible.
3. Mixed Bowling Styles: Forehand only, backhand only, or alternate after every attempt.
4. Obstacle Alley: Add mini hurdles, cones, or zig-zag gates to dribble around before bowling.
5. Target Bonus: Place a bigger target or hoop behind the skittles—hit it for bonus points.
6. Moving Skittles: Have another player slowly walk a foam skittle across the alley for extra challenge.
7. Reverse Run: After bowling, players have to dribble the ball backwards to the start.