🎾 Wall Rally – Indoor Tennis Activity Sheet
🎾 Wall Rally – Indoor Tennis Activity Sheet
A brilliant indoor skill-builder where every child finds a wall space and works through a series of fun challenges to develop touch, control, timing and rally rhythm.
🧩 Setup
• Each child finds a safe, clear section of wall
• 1 ball per player (start with football or large soft ball)
• 1 racket per player (used later in the activity)
• Ensure clear space behind and to the side of each child
⭐ Warm-Up Phase (No Racket)
1️⃣ Roll & Stop – 1 minute
• Roll the football along the floor into the wall
• Ball rolls back → child stops it with two hands
• Focus: soft hands, ready position, bending knees
2️⃣ Toss–Bounce–Catch – 1 minute
• Toss the ball gently against the wall
• Let it bounce once on the floor
• Catch with two hands
• Focus: timing, judging bounce, hand–eye coordination
🎾 Racket Phase
3️⃣ Push Control (Racket Only)
• Start with ball on the ground
• Gently push or “nudge” the ball into the wall
• Let it come back → use 1–2 control touches before pushing again
• Goal: control + accuracy, not power
4️⃣ Groundstroke Rally (Bounce Hit)
• Hit ball into the wall → let it bounce → hit again
• Optional: allow 1–2 control bounces/taps between each hit
• Goal: rally to 10 hits
🔺 Progressions
Ball Progressions
Move through these as they succeed:
Football
Fat ball
Mini red tennis ball
Orange ball
Skill Progressions
• Volleys only against the wall
• Groundstroke → volley pattern
• Serve → groundstroke
• Rally to 10, then 15, then 20
• Aim for specific targets on the wall (use markers, cones or tape)
🪶 Feathers (Make It Easier)
• Use a bigger/slower ball
• Allow multiple bounces
• Stand closer to the wall
• Use a parent/coach to help with ball control
• Start with stationary drop feeds instead of rolling/bouncing
🔥 Challenges (Harder)
• Rally must be continuous (no control touches)
• Move sideways between hits
• Hit from further back
• Alternate forehand/backhand each hit
• Serve → volley → groundstroke → catch
🎯 Coaching Points
✔ Low-to-high swing shape
✔ Sideways body position
✔ Early preparation
✔ Soft hands on control touches
✔ Watch the ball after rebound
If you'd like, I can also produce a visual diagram (no text) showing:
• Children spaced along a wall
• Rolling → toss → push → hit sequences
• Different ball types
• Rally pathway