Chicken, Hero, or Twin

Equipment

·       Scarves or “tails”

·       Beanbags (one per player)

·       Rackets (foam or lightweight)

·       Footballs (size 1 or soft balls)

·       Cones for start/finish lines

Setup

·       Mark a start line and finish line.

·       1–2 defenders in the middle zone — if you have an assistant coach, they start as the defender.

·       All other players are attackers.

How to Play:

1.       Coach calls “Chicken, Hero, or Twin”:

o   Chicken – Everyone moves from start to finish.

o   Hero – One named player goes alone.

o   Twin – Two named players move together.

2.       Defenders try to snatch attackers’ tails (no touching players).

3.       If a tail is taken, the attacker joins the defenders for the rest of the round. Keep going until only one player remains — they’re the champion.

Progression Stages

1.       Stage 1 – No Rackets

o   Just tails and running/moving across the space.

o   Focus on evasion and awareness.

2.       Stage 2 – Add Rackets + Beanbags Balanced on Strings

o   Players must balance a beanbag on the racket head while avoiding defenders.

3.       Stage 3 – Dribble Footballs Hockey Style with Rackets

o   Players push or tap the footballs along the ground while avoiding defenders.

Variations

·       Add cones in the middle to weave around.

·       Make defenders “freeze” for 2 seconds after a failed snatch.

🎯 Objective: Develop ball control, teamwork, imagination, and accurate throwing in two fun phases: building and knocking down a castle.

🧱 Phase 1: Build the Castle

🧒 Children = Wheelbarrows
👩‍👧‍👦 Coaches/Parents = Builders

1. Set up a pile of traffic cones at one end of the space (the “construction site”).

2. Children start at the other end with a football each.

3. They dribble/tap their footballs carefully toward the cone pile.

4. At the pile, they stop their ball and collect 1–2 cones by hand.

5. They dribble back, delivering the cones to the adults.

6. Adults build the castle by stacking tall cones with round cones between, adding poles for height if available.

7. Continue until time runs out or the castle is tall and mighty!

💥 Phase 2: Demolish the Castle

1. Create a moat line using cones — this is the safe throwing zone.

2. Children line up with their balls ready to throw (or roll/kick for younger ones).

3. One by one, they try to knock down the castle using an overarm throw or preferred technique.

4. If time runs out or the castle is still standing — everyone is unleashed to run and kick the rest down for fun!

🪶 Feathers (Simplifications)

• Bring moat line closer

• Let younger children carry the ball rather than dribble, or don’t even carry a ball at all just collect the cones

• They can roll the ball underarm instead of throwing.

• Use beanbags instead of balls for smaller children to throw.

• Allow closer throwing distance based on age/ability.

• Adults can assist with ball control or placing cones gently.

⚡ Progressions

• Move the moat line further back

• Use a relay format: teams take turns one at a time for added structure.

• Add targets on the castle: special cones worth more points when knocked off.

• Introduce limited cones: teams must decide how to build smarter with fewer materials.

• Time each phase: e.g., 3 minutes to build, 2 minutes to demolish.

• Use different throwing techniques: underarm, overarm, one-handed, bounce before hit.

🎄 Seasonal Variations

• Christmas – Elf Builders: Build Santa’s Workshop out of cones, then knock it down with “snowballs” (white balls or beanbags). Add tinsel or paper chimneys for fun.

• Easter – Bunny Burrows: Kids hop with beanbags (Easter eggs) to help build bunny homes. Then use colourful eggs (balls) to knock down the carrot castle.

• Halloween – Haunted Tower: Kids are mini monsters helping build a haunted castle. Use soft “pumpkin balls” to destroy it! Add spooky music for atmosphere.

• Valentine’s – Love Castle: Stack “hearts” (heart-shaped cutouts or pink cones) into a tower of love. Knock it down with “love arrows” (foam balls or beanbags).

• Mother’s Day / Father’s Day – Thank You Tower: Build a tower to say thank you to mums/dads. Children can place decorated cones, then demolish together in celebration.

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.

Objective

·       Two teams, one court. The coach feeds the ball in, aiming to score by keeping it in play.

·       The only rule is that the ball cannot roll on your side of the court.

Basic Rules

1.       Ball Handling:

o   Players cannot pick up the ball, but can pass it between teammates.

o   Players are allowed to take as many touches as needed (forehands, backhands, and serves) as long as the ball stays in play and does not roll on your side.

⚠ Safety! It is up to the coaches to make sure the teams are adequately spaced, and to intervene if there is danger of swinging too close to one another

🪶 Feathers (for younger / less confident children):

o   The coach should make sure to include all players, particularly by feeding the ball to weaker players first to help them build confidence and skill.

o   The coach should put assistant coaches/ parents on the stronger players on each team to control the ball and tee up the younger players so they can be part of it.

o   Make certain players “Setters”, stronger players can act as setters only, like in volleyball, so they can gather the ball and tee it up for other players in their team, but can’t hit over themselves. This is designed to stop one or two players dominating the play.

Variations to Challenge the Game

1.       Serve Start:

o   Begin each round with a serve to give players a challenge right from the start.

2.       Number of Bounces:

o   Change the rule to allow only a specific number of bounces (e.g., two or three bounces before the ball must be returned).

3.       Backhand Only:

o   Challenge players to hit only backhands during certain rounds.

4.       Targeting Weaknesses:

o   Rotate the ball feeds so that each player gets a chance to practice their weaker strokes.

5.       Timed Rounds:

o   Set a timer for each round, encouraging quick decision-making and rapid ball movement.

6.       Court Size:

o   Use half the court to make the game more challenging, or introduce zones where players can only pass to certain teammates.

7.       Add more balls: especially with larger groups, add more balls to keep the contact time for each participant higher.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

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.

Spin Challenge 🌀🎯

🧠 Objective

• Understand how spin affects the ball’s movement
• Introduce the difference between topspin, underspin, and sidespin
• Encourage physical awareness and hand control

👩‍🏫 Coach Introduction

“Today we’re learning to spin the ball – just like the pros! 🎾 Spin helps the ball dip, bounce higher, or skid low – and it makes your shots much harder to return!”

🌀 Sit the group down and demonstrate with an assistant:
• Topspin – brush low to high (ball dips & kicks up)
• Underspin – brush high to low (ball floats and skids)
• Sidespin – twist side to side (ball curves left or right)

👉 Use visual aids like:
• ⚙️ Spin machines (if available)
• 🟥⚪ Two-tone balls to show rotation
• 🧸 Inflatable balls for hands-on practice

👫 Main Activity – Parent & Child Rolling

📍Children spread out with their parents in a safe space.
🎈 Each pair works with an inflatable ball.

1. Start crouched in crab position 🦀 (knees bent, low to floor)

2. Child places hands at the bottom of the ball and rolls it forward while brushing over the top = Topspin roll 🌀

3. Then try Side spin – twist the hands on the ball before releasing

4. Parents return the ball using same spin style

🎉 Keep it fun – encourage silly spins, fast spins, long rolls!

🪶 Feathers (Simplify for Younger Kids):

• Sit on knees or crouch lower for control
• Use larger balls for easier contact
• Skip sidespin – focus only on topspin
• Practice without a partner (roll to a cone, hoop or wall)

⚡ Progressions (Challenge for Older Kids):

1. Add rackets – keep the ball on the floor but try to push it with topspin or sidespin

2. Start rolling from standing (adds balance + control)

3. Introduce bounce – drop the ball and brush with racket

4. Use spin machines, tees, or foam balls for air contact

5. Try slice (underspin) or even serve spin from cone setups

6. Parents/ coaches feeding and child trying to hit the ball with either topsplin or underspin

7. Speed up balls with foam/ mini-red (advanced)

8. Try to rally with parents h

✅ Coaching Tips:

• Encourage creativity – “Can you make your ball curve like a rainbow?” 🌈 slice the ball like chopping the tomatoes 🍅
• Walk around to offer guidance and praise
• Point out who made the ball bounce “super high” or “super spinny”
• Emphasise low to high for topspin, side twist for side spin

Dead or Alive – Spooky Tennis Challenge 👻🎃 🎾
⏱ 8–10 mins | 👦👧 Ages 7+ (Titans/Troopers) | Great for Halloween Theme

🧠 Objective:
To hit consistently under pressure and stay “alive” while dodging elimination. Fun, silly, and skill-based — perfect for small groups (3–6 per round).

🎭 Story Setup:

“Welcome to the Haunted Tennis Trials! The land is full of tennis ghosts and creepy curses! Only those who hit well will survive! Miss too many shots… and you’ll start to fall apart piece by piece. Will you survive… or become a ghost?!”

🛠 Setup:

• Choose one shot focus: Groundstrokes or Volleys

• Coach feeds 3 balls per turn (or parents if helping)

• Line kids up behind baseline or mini net

• Mark a “Ghost Zone” off to the side

• Mark a “Revive Zone” (where revived players re-enter)

🎮 How to Play:

1. One child at a time steps up and is fed 3 balls

2. If they hit 2 or 3 balls well ➤ they are Alive ✅ → go to back of queue

3. If they hit 0 or 1 ball ➤ they are Dead-ish ☠️ → they lose a body part and try again!

💀 Stages of Elimination:

1. Lose an arm: Hit with racket hand only, non-dominant arm behind back

2. Lose a leg: Hop on one leg while hitting

3. No limbs: Sit on the floor and hit from seated

4. Fully dead: Lie down and try to hit a shot while lying flat 😵

5. Ghost!: If still unsuccessful, you become a ghost 👻 – sit in the Ghost Zone

🧚‍♂️ Revivers:

• If a player hits all 3 shots perfectly, they earn 1 Revive Power

• They can choose one ghost to bring back to life (tap them on shoulder)

• That ghost returns to the back of the queue as Alive ✅

While the kids are waiting in line, spots are designated for them to stand. Kids must keep moving (bouncing on toes); otherwise, they turn into ghosts.

🪶 Feathers (Easier Version):

• Allow younger players to skip stages (go from one-arm to ghost)

• Let them use larger rackets or foam balls

• Use tees or drop feeds instead of live feeds

• Reduce number of shots (e.g. 2 shots total, only need 1 to survive)

⚡ Progressions (Harder Version):

• Increase required hits to 3/3 to stay alive

• Add movement before shots (e.g., crab steps to cone and back)

• Add “final ghost duel”: two ghosts must rally from seated position to re-enter

🎃 Halloween Twist:

• Play with spooky music in the background

• Use Halloween-themed markers (pumpkins, cauldrons, skeleton cones)

• Encourage kids to make spooky sounds during ghost stage 👻💀

🏆 Finishing Options:

• Last child alive becomes “The Final Survivor” 🧛‍♂️👑

🎯 Objective

Keep the balloon in the air using any part of the body or racket. Don’t let it touch the ground – or it gets very upset! 😢

Note: some young children may not like balloons, please use your judgement; if a child is not happy with balloons please give them something else to do, scarf, ball, etc…

👟 Setup

• NB doesn’t work with any wind at all so it's better inside

• Children sat in a circle or group

• Balloons hidden inside a bag (e.g. drawstring sack)

• 1–2 balloons blown up in advance

🗣️ Coach Introduction Script

"I've brought something very special in this bag... can anyone guess what it is?"
(Play the guessing game for a minute)
"It's a balloon! But not just any balloon... these are full of air, and they absolutely love floating in the sky 🌤️. But if they touch the ground or stop moving... they get very upset!"
(Make funny sad/crying sounds)
"We have to keep them happy by keeping them in the air! You can use your hands, feet, head, shoulders… even rackets – just don’t let them drop!"

🎈 How to Play

1. Coach releases a balloon into the air.

2. Players must keep it in the air using any body part or a racket.

3. If the balloon touches the ground or is held too long – coach makes a silly “crying” noise and resets the game.

4. Optional: Add more balloons for chaos & teamwork!

IMPORTANT: IF THE SPACE IS TOO SMALL PLEASE DO NOT USE RACKETS TO AVOID INJURY!

🪶 Feather Levels (Differentiation)

🪶 One Feather – Starter

• Only one balloon in play

• Use hands only

• Coach helps redirect the balloon

🪶🪶 Two Feathers – Developing

• Add more balloons

• Encourage racket use

• Players must stay in their own space

🪶🪶🪶 Three Feathers – Confident

• Keep balloon aloft for 10+ hits

• Count aloud each hit

• Use only rackets or only non-dominant hand

• Introduce small challenges (e.g. spin before hitting, or tap it to a partner)

🔁 Progressions & Variations

• 🧢 Team Rally: Count how many touches as a team before balloon drops

• 🏃‍♂️ Movement Balloon: Must travel from one cone to another while keeping balloon up

• 🎯 Target Zones: Tap the balloon over a line or into a hoop

• ⛔ No Hands Round: Only use feet, knees, or rackets

• 🧦 Balloon Chase: Everyone has a balloon to chase and keep up

Great for summer camps

Objective

Build, defend, and attack a makeshift fort using teamwork and serving accuracy.

Setup

·       One team constructs a “fort” in the centre of the court using tennis nets (coaches help for speed), cones, and a large parachute for shelter. They have a set time limit (e.g. 3–5 minutes) to complete their build.

·       During this time, the opposing team spreads out around the court collecting “ammunition” (soft balls, foam balls, etc.).

How to play

1.       Once time is up, the attacking team lines up around a marked firing radius (created using cones).

2.       Players take turns serving balls into the fort, aiming to get them past the fort’s defences and through the structure to the players inside.

3.       Defenders must stay seated inside the fort and cannot block shots.

4.       Count and score how many balls make it through.

5.       Teams then swap roles – attackers become builders and vice versa.

Skills Developed

·       Teamwork and problem-solving (building phase)

·       Serving accuracy and power control (attacking phase)

·       Spatial awareness and tactical creativity

Coaching Tips

·       Encourage creativity in building – test different ways to prop up the parachute.

·       Challenge kids to improve accuracy with progressive serving distances.

·       Optionally reward best fort design and most accurate attacker!

Around the World- Tennis Titans and Tennis Troopers

• Divide players into two teams, each lining up behind opposite baselines.

• One player from each line steps in to hit the ball, then runs around the outside of the court to the end of the opposite line.

• Continue the rally in this “round-the-world” pattern.

• If a player misses or hits out, they’re eliminated.

• When two players remain, they play a final rally to determine the winner.

• Emphasizes movement, timing, and rally pressure.

• Optional: give each player 2 lives before they’re out.

  🟢 Easier Variants:

• Players rally with coach and rotate on same side (better for smaller groups)

• Players may tap or control the ball on their racket before hitting it over.

• Allow unlimited bounces before hitting for beginners.

• Use larger balls (e.g. foam ball/football) to slow the game down.

• Give the children three lives

• Encourage cooperative goals (e.g. “Let’s make it 10 hits as a team before anyone is out”).

• Allow players to catch and drop-hit the ball if needed.

Backhands 🎾

🎯 🎾 Backhands – Tennis Tots/Titans Teaching Guide

The backhand is usually the second shot children will learn, and sometimes is best taught as forehand from the other side, i.e. same principles: Sideways on to the ball, low to high, finish over the opposite shoulder. The hitting hand should go above the non-hitting (often they get this the wrong way around)

Demonstrate: Children will learn from watching the coaches, so please demonstrate a backhand at every level. Please see the video for good forehand and backhand technique: https://youtu.be/oOsmGn2_piE?si=tdTf6v6pINvWlD8q         

🧸 One hand or two?

Two... At Tots or Titans age, we would encourage two hands on the racket for a backhand with the hitting hand on the bottom. If a child is keen to hit with one hand then this should be encouraged to at least try, but it will take a lot longer to learn. Good 1 had backhand technique video:  https://youtu.be/L3ZzViOphWc?si=zjpKB7ztGLg2m0LM    

Backhand progressions starting in Tots

·       Hitting on tees. Even if the tots have advanced past hitting on tees on forehand, it may be useful to return to tees for backhand, to have a stationary target.

·       Technique is to simply drop the racket head (wrist) below the ball, and lift over the shoulder after contact. Make sure racket race is not too open on takeback, and swing doesn’t get too big, dominant hand above non-dominant on grip

·       Drop feeding; usually parent-led; players can drop feed themselves, but it can be a bit awkward with the second hand on the racket

·       Spin machines: great for getting feel of brushing up the ball

·       Left-handed forehands: If it isn’t too confusing, you can introduce some left-handed forehands to encourage the dominance of the left hand

·       Slow the balls down as much as possible to give the child time to perform the correct technique; use footballs, big foam, mini-red.

·       Once the child has started hitting backhand mix between forehand and backhand fees to get the feel of grip changes and body rotations.

·       Start to work on accuracy, aiming both cross-court and down the line.

🎯 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

1. Child steps forward to hitting spot

2. Coach/parent feeds a ball to their forehand (or backhand)

3. After the hit, child sidesteps (crab-style) around the cone placed to the side

4. Once around the cone, child joins the back of the queue

5. 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

Best for older Tots or Titans

Setup

·       Place flat marker spots (“islands”) around the court or playing area, spaced out so there’s room to move between them.

·       Each child starts with a racket and a beanbag balanced on it.

How to Play

1.     Children move around the space balancing their beanbags on their rackets.

2.     The coach blows a whistle or calls “Move!/GO!” to start movement, and “Islands!” to signal that they must find an island to stand on.

3.     After each round, remove one or more islands to create a shortage.

4.     The last child to reach an island is out (or does a fun forfeit like 5 star jumps before re-joining).

Variations:

Movement Changes:

·       Walking, jogging, running

·       Crab walks, bunny hops, skipping, backwards walking

·       Side-steps, cross-overs, zig-zag patterns

Balancing Challenges:

·       Flip the beanbag and catch it before landing it back on the racket while moving

·       Swap the beanbag for a tennis ball (harder to balance)

·       Use smaller rackets or turn the racket upside-down (handle up) for extra difficulty

·       Add a “one-hand only” rule (non-dominant hand for advanced players)

Extra Game Elements:

·       Safe Zone Rule: Instead of being “out,” players without a dot do 5 keep-ups, a short rally with a partner, or a mini challenge before re-joining.

·       Island Types: Colour-code spots to mean different tasks (e.g., blue = balance on one leg, red = bounce the ball 3 times before staying).

·       Moving Islands: Coach or helpers slowly move a spot during play—players can chase it to claim it.

·       Double Trouble: Two players must share the same island without dropping their beanbags.

Scoring Option: Award points for each successful island claim instead of eliminating players—the winner is the one with the most points after a set number of rounds.

Seasonal Variants

🎄 Christmas – “Melting Ice Floes” 🧊🎅

The islands are icebergs floating in the North Pole!
🎁 Santa’s helpers (children) must carefully cross the icy sea with presents (beanbags) balanced on their sleds (rackets).
When the coach yells "Freeze!", they must find an ice floe to land on — but some are melting (remove spots each round)!
🔁 Swap beanbags for wrapped foam presents or red/green beanbags for extra festivity.

🐣 Easter – “Hopping Egg Islands” 🐰🥚

Kids are Easter Bunnies hopping around with eggs (beanbags or small balls) balanced on their spoons (rackets).
Coach shouts "Bunny Burrow!" and kids must jump onto a safe island.
🌼 Use egg-shaped beanbags and add bunny hop or egg-flip challenges during movement rounds.

🎃 Halloween – “Ghost Island Dash” 👻🍬

Players are trick-or-treaters carrying candy on their trays (beanbags on rackets), moving through a haunted forest.
Coach shouts “BOO!” — and they must dash to the nearest safe zone (spot) before the ghosts get them!
🎃 Some spots can be “haunted” (e.g., red spots = hold your breath, or spin once before continuing).

💘 Valentine’s – “Heart Islands” 💖💌

Children are mail carriers delivering love letters (beanbags) on heart-shaped trays (rackets).
When the coach calls “Delivery Time!”, they rush to find an island mailbox (marker spot).
💌 Use red/pink beanbags and let some spots have a “Love Challenge” (e.g., say something kind before rejoining).

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Mother’s/Father’s Day – “Breakfast in Bed” 🍳☕

Kids are servers carrying breakfast on trays (beanbags), trying not to spill!
Coach yells “Wake up!”, and they must safely reach a bed (spot) before mum or dad sees the mess.
🌞 Add creative tasks like balancing on one leg or delivering to specific colours for “tea,” “toast,” or “fruit.”

Seasonal variation for the 🐣 Easter version of Whac-a-Mole, now featuring Easter eggs instead of bunnies:

🧠 Whac-a-Mole – Seasonal Variations (Updated)

🎄 Christmas – Whack-a-Grinch
Use green cones with balls on top to represent mischievous Grinches! Children dribble with their rackets to the Grinch wall and try to knock them down with controlled swings — careful not to wake Santa! 🎅💥

🐣 Easter – Whack-an-Easter Egg
Use pastel-coloured cones with egg-shaped balls or decorated beanbags on top. These are hidden Easter Eggs! Kids must dribble toward the Easter wall and carefully “whack” the eggs off using their racket — each one reveals a surprise! 🥚🌈

🎃 Halloween – Whack-a-Ghost
Transform cones into ghostly shapes using white cloth or stickers and place balls on top. Children sneak toward the haunted line and try to knock off the spooky ghosts with their racket. 👻🎾

💘 Valentine’s Day – Whack-a-Heart
Place pink or red cones with heart-shaped stickers and small balls on top. Kids take turns knocking down the hearts — one swing at a time — sharing giggles with their racket buddies 💘🏹

👩 Mother’s Day / 👨 Father’s Day – Whack-a-Flower Pot
Set up cones like colourful flower pots with balls as blossoms. Kids “whack” off the old petals to “help the garden grow” for Mum or Dad 🌸🪴 — perfect for Springtime creativity.

Whac-a-Mole 🎾🐾 – Tennis Tots Game Plan🟡

Set-Up:
Create a “field of molehills” using round cones spaced safely apart. Place a soft ball (the mole) on top of each cone TIP: IF YOU FOLLOW THIS GAME FROM HITTING ON TEES YOU CAN GET THE KIDS TO RUN AROUND AND PUT THE BALLS ON THE CONES (BUILD IT AS PART OF THE GAME)

Ensure there’s ample space between each cone so children swinging rackets don’t accidentally hit each other.

👧🧒 Phase 1 – Whack the Moles:
Children are armed with rackets and must run around the field whacking the moles (balls) off the molehills (cones).
Emphasise controlled swings and good body positioning – low to high action, knees bent, eyes on the target.

🦅 Phase 2 – Enter the Naughty Crows:
Coaches and parents act as “naughty crows,” flying around the field putting the moles back on their molehills as fast as the kids knock them off.
It becomes a fun battle: children whack, adults restore!

🔁 Phase 3 – Swap Roles:
Children become the crows and rebuild the field, placing the balls back on the cones while coaches (or other kids) now try to knock them off.
This helps improve fine motor control, speed, and teamwork.

🪶 Feathers (Simplify for younger children):

• Let children use their hands to knock moles off at first before introducing rackets.

• Reduce the number of cones for smaller groups.

• Slow down the “crows” and give children time to succeed.

• Let them focus on one molehill at a time (e.g., “Try and whack the red mole!”)

⚡ Progressions (Challenge older or more advanced kids):

• Require children to hit the mole off in a specific direction (e.g. toward a target zone).

• Give them a time limit (e.g. “Knock off 5 moles in 30 seconds!”)

• Use weaker hand (non-dominant) or backhand only.

• Add obstacles they must navigate between molehills (cones, mini hurdles).

• Play to music – when music stops, all freeze! (adds reaction speed)

Seasonal variation for the 🐣 Easter version of Whac-a-Mole, now featuring Easter eggs instead of bunnies:

🧠 Whac-a-Mole – Seasonal Variations (Updated)

🎄 Christmas – Whack-a-Grinch
Use green cones with balls on top to represent mischievous Grinches! Children dribble with their rackets to the Grinch wall and try to knock them down with controlled swings — careful not to wake Santa! 🎅💥

🐣 Easter – Whack-an-Easter Egg
Use pastel-coloured cones with egg-shaped balls or decorated beanbags on top. These are hidden Easter Eggs! Kids must dribble toward the Easter wall and carefully “whack” the eggs off using their racket — each one reveals a surprise! 🥚🌈

🎃 Halloween – Whack-a-Ghost
Transform cones into ghostly shapes using white cloth or stickers and place balls on top. Children sneak toward the haunted line and try to knock off the spooky ghosts with their racket. 👻🎾

💘 Valentine’s Day – Whack-a-Heart
Place pink or red cones with heart-shaped stickers and small balls on top. Kids take turns knocking down the hearts — one swing at a time — sharing giggles with their racket buddies 💘🏹

👩 Mother’s Day / 👨 Father’s Day – Whack-a-Flower Pot
Set up cones like colourful flower pots with balls as blossoms. Kids “whack” off the old petals to “help the garden grow” for Mum or Dad 🌸🪴 — perfect for Springtime creativity.

🌀 Sonic School

🎮 A fast-paced dribbling & balance game for Tots
Duration: 8–10 mins (including drinks break)

🎤 Coach Script / Setup

“Do you know who Sonic the Hedgehog is? 🦔 He’s a hedgehog with superpowers — but even Sonic had to train hard to get his speed, balance, and control!”

TIP: Leave equipment out from warmup and do it straight away to save putting equipment out again.

Place inflatable footballs inside a bag and reveal them dramatically when ready. Spread out a warm-up circuit using:

• 🟡 Bridges: (hurdles) plastic struts between cones to duck under

• 🔵 Doors: two traffic cones spaced apart to dribble through

• 🔺 Ramps: Traffic cones with struts sloping up (imagine pushing a ball up a hill)

Children are “Mini Sonics” 🌀. Their mission is to dribble their ball with their racket around the course without losing control, staying balanced and moving quickly.

🪶 Feathers (Simplify for under 3s):

• Let them carry the ball to start

• Focus on walking around the circuit with ball in hand or under control

• Parents can gently guide hands or dribble together

⚡️ Progressions (Older / Confident Children):

1. Solo Dribble: Must dribble the ball with racket only – no carrying

2. Coach Interference – become Dr Robotnik 🦹‍♂️, rolling balls or gently tossing foam frisbees to “knock Sonic off the path”

3. Time Challenge – Set a timer and see if they can finish before the music or timer ends

🧃 Conclusion

Praise them for their effort and remind them:

“Every Sonic started with small steps — your balance and control are your superpowers!” 🦔💙

Hoopla 🎯 – Target Throwing Challenge

🕒 2–6 minutes | Ages: 3–9 | Focus: Throwing, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, object control

🧠 Purpose

• Improve hand-eye coordination

• Develop overhead and underarm throwing techniques

• Encourage target-based focus and spatial awareness

• Reinforce color recognition and aim

🏗 Setup

• Lay out 5–8 hitting tees spaced apart across the court or hall

• Add a barrier line (e.g., mini net or row of cones) 3–6 metres away based on age group

• Children line up behind the line with a large hoop (or beanbag) each

• Place buckets or tubs at varying distances as extra targets

• Optional: Add cones that children can throw or "frisbee" into the targets

• Use beanbags, soft balls, hoops, and cones as a mix of throwing items

🌀 How to Play

1. Children take turns frisbee-throwing hoops to try and land them over the tees

2. Parents and coaches can re-cycle the hoops to keep it flowing

3. Set out plastic tubs into the throwing space and introduce other throwing objects if hoops are limited (cones, beanbags, balls)

4. Celebrate success with high fives or silly celebration dances 🎉

🪶 Feathers (Younger Kids / Beginners):

• Use closer throwing lines for younger children (2–3 metres)

• Allow rolling or dropping the hoop over the tee for success

• Use larger, lighter hoops for better grip and easier control

• Let parents assist with guiding the throwing action

• Play without a barrier if accuracy is very low

• Add a points system for each target landed (e.g. 5 points for hoops, 3 for cones, 1 for beanbags)

• Introduce different distances or small cones stacked for bonus targets

• Have children run and collect the object they hit as a relay

• Add time challenges (e.g. “How many targets can you hit in 30 seconds?”)

• Make them use non-dominant hand or throw with one foot off the ground

🎃 Seasonal Variations:

• 🎃 Halloween: Call it “Pumpkin Toss” — hoops are magic rings to trap spooky ghosts (draw faces on tees)

• 🎄 Christmas: Use green/red hoops for “Elf Ring Toss” — hitting tees are presents to wrap

• 🐣 Easter: “Bunny Hoopla” — children toss pastel hoops over “giant eggs” (decorate the tees)

• ❤️ Valentine’s: “Heart Toss” — hoops represent love rings to land on hearts

• 🌸 Spring: “Flower Ring Throw” — throw hoops onto flower pots or cones decorated as tulips 🌷

Floor is Lava! 🌋

🔥 Adventure Balance Game – 5–8 mins

🚶‍♂️ Transition from Warm-Up:

This game follows perfectly from the warm-up, as much of the setup remains in place. It's a great way to channel the children’s excitement into imaginative, skill-building movement with purpose.

🧠 Purpose:

• Develop balance, spatial awareness & coordination

• Encourage careful footwork and decision-making

• Reinforce ball/beanbag handling skills

• Provide imaginative and physical transition to main skill stations

🗣 Story Script (Coach Narration):

“Oh no — the tennis court has turned into a lava pit! 🔥 The only way across is by stepping on floating islands and bridges! Put on your safety helmets (🎩 upside-down cones!) and collect the magical treasure (beanbags) without touching the lava. Watch out — lava eruptions and fireballs might get in your way!”

🏗 Set-Up:

• Scatter tennis balls = lava

• Place hoops, dots, and throw-down lines = islands and bridges

• Add buckets or tubs = volcano checkpoints

• Kids wear helmets made of upside-down round cones or small cones on their heads

• Starting point on one end of court; destination on the other

🎮 Main Game Mechanics:

• Children start at one side, balancing beanbags, foam balls, or carrying rackets

• They move only on safe items (hoops, spots, lines) to cross the lava

• At volcano checkpoint (centre or end), they toss the beanbag into a bucket, collect another, and return

• If they fall off, they return to the start

• No jumping or running — slow, stable travel encouraged

🪶 Feathers (Easier Variants):

• No racket needed – carry item in hands

• Make islands closer together

• Let assistants or parents hold children's hands

• No “lava eruptions” until later

⚡ Progressions (Challenge Add-Ons):

1. 🔥 Rolling Fireballs: Coaches gently roll tennis balls across paths

2. 🌋 Volcano Eruption: A bucket of soft balls is thrown in the air while coaches frisbee round cones (lava rocks) for kids to dodge

3. 🎭 Tell kids to wear helmets (round or traffic) to challenge balance as they move around

4. 🎯 Checkpoint Challenge: Kids throw into the bucket to “disarm the volcano” before moving on

5. 🎒 Load Swap at checkpoints: Swap beanbags for soft balls or juggling scarves

6. 🧗 Racket Carry: Older kids balance a ball or beanbag on a racket as they cross

🎭 Seasonal Adaptations:

• 🎃 Halloween – "The Floor is Slime!": Use green cones & spooky music, roll “ghost balls” (white balloons)

• 🎅 Christmas – "Santa’s Rooftop Rescue": Hoops become chimneys, beanbags are presents

• 🐣 Easter – "Egg Escape Lava": Balance “eggs” (foam balls) in spoon or on racket

• 💘 Valentine’s Day – "Heart Rescue Mission": Beanbags are hearts; kids rescue them from lava

• 👩‍👧 Mother's Day / 👨‍👦 Father's Day – "Gift Dash": Kids carry gifts to their parents across the lava

🧠 Coach Reminders:

• Keep it safe — always check islands are spaced sensibly and not slipping

• Get into character — volcanoes, fire monsters, or rescue leaders!

• Encourage teamwork by letting kids help each other cross

🍓🍌🍏 Fruit Salad – Fun Volleying Game

Duration: 8–10 minutes
Ideal Age: 4–9 years (Tots & Titans)
Focus: Volleying technique, reaction speed, footwork, and fun movement

🎾 What is a Volley?

Explain to the children:
"A volley is when we hit the ball before it bounces, right up close to the net! It’s a short punch with the racket — not a big swing. Just like licking a lollipop 🍭 — racket up in front, and push forward with your feet."

🏗 Set-Up

• 🧍‍♂️ Line kids up 2m from the net (use floor spots or cones).

• 🟡 Place another line or row of cones 1m from the net — this is where volleys are hit.

• ✂️ Split the group depending on number of feeders (approx. 5:1 ratio).

  • For example, with 15 kids and 3 coaches/parents, make 3 groups of 5.

• 🍌🍎🍓 Name the groups after fruits (Bananas, Apples, Strawberries, etc.)

🎮 How to Play

1. 🧍‍♂️ Kids begin on the first line, facing the back fence and dancing on their toes.

2. 🍎 Coach calls a fruit: “Bananas!” – those children turn around and march quickly to the front line.

3. 💥 Coach feeds a gentle ball for them to volley back (either forehand or backhand volley).

4. 🔁 Once the volley is done, the child returns to the first line.

5. 🍉 This continues with different fruit names being called.

6. 🥗 When coach shouts “Fruit Salad!” – all children must run to the back fence and back again
   while coaches try to “tag” them with soft balls (or throw gently at their feet like dodgeball).

7. 😄 Repeat for several rounds – keep energy and laughter high!

✋ Coaching Points

• 🍭 Racket up like a lollipop in front of the face

• 🚫 No backswing – just a short punch

• 🚶‍♂️ Use small forward steps with feet – like walking through a puddle

• 🧍 Stay balanced and upright

• 🎯 Try to tap the ball with middle of the racket

🪶 Feathers (Younger/Beginner Tots)

• ✅ Allow volleys to bounce once before contact

• 👩‍👦 Have parents assist child by holding hand or guiding racket

• 🧸 Use balloons or foam balls for slower flight

• 🟢 Let them catch the ball instead of volleying if coordination is tough

• 🛑 Slow the pace — call fruits one by one with more time to reset

⚡ Progressions (Older Kids/Titans)

• 🔁 Add backhand volleys alternating with forehands/ smashes

• 🎯 Add target areas to aim for (cones/hoops)

• 🏃 Add a jump over a mini hurdle before stepping into the volley

• ⏱️ Make it timed — how many good volleys in 60 seconds

• 🥎 Coaches can increase speed/difficulty of feeds

• 🔄 After volleying, player switches groups and rotates through

🎉 Seasonal Variations

• 🎅 Christmas: Call out "Santa, Snowman, Reindeer" instead of fruits

• 🐣 Easter: “Bunnies, Chicks, Eggs”

• 🎃 Halloween: “Ghosts, Witches, Pumpkins” – “Haunted House!” instead of Fruit Salad

• 💘 Valentine’s: “Hearts, Roses, Chocolates” – “Valentine’s Day!” as the run cue

• 👩‍👦 Mother’s Day/Father’s Day: Groups named after family members – “Family Run!” for group dash

🏁 Wrap-Up

• 👏 Celebrate with big claps after each round

• 🧹 Kids help tidy up cones/balls

• 🎽 End with a final “Fruit Salad” dash and maybe a silly dance at the end!

🎾 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!