Forehands – Tennis Tots Teaching Guide 🎾

Time: 4–8 minutes
Theme: Learning how to aim at the correct area, understand how points are constructed, and learn touch and control.

📖 Story Script:

“Do you know how tennis players score points? That’s right — by hitting the ball into the box on the other side of the court! Today, we’re going to practise doing just that. Can you aim carefully and hit your target like a real tennis pro?”

🧠 Purpose:

• Learn how tennis scoring works

• Practise aim and control (both forehand and backhand)

• Reinforce “target awareness” with simple visuals

• Create a fun 1-to-1 dynamic between child and parent

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

📈 Forehand Progression Table

AgeActivityBall TypeWalking–2.5Tees onlySmall foam balls2.5–3 yrsTees + parent drop feedSmall + large foam3–4 yrsDrop feeds + soft tossesLarge foam balls4–5 yrsMix of feeds, start rallying if readyLarge foam, mini red

🎤 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!

Inside the Box – Target Practice & Scoring Game 🎾

Time: 4–8 minutes
Theme: Learning how to aim at the correct area, understand how points are constructed, and learn touch and control.

📖 Story Script:

“Do you know how tennis players score points? That’s right — by hitting the ball into the box on the other side of the court! Today, we’re going to practise doing just that. Can you aim carefully and hit your target like a real tennis pro?”

🧠 Purpose:

• Learn how tennis scoring works

• Practise aim and control (both forehand and backhand)

• Reinforce “target awareness” with simple visuals

• Create a fun 1-to-1 dynamic between child and parent

🏗 Set-Up:

• Coach shows the children how to draw a line with a drop-down line, dots, (or cones if nothing else). NB if you have enough big hoops, you can use them, but you are limited by how far they can move back, as the hoops are small.

• Coach demonstrates how a tennis point is scored (ball must land in the court/box)

• Each child pairs up with a parent/assistant

• Using drop-down lines, cones, hoops, or markers, each pair creates a target box in front of the parent (3–4 racket lengths wide is fine)

• The child stands opposite and attempts to hit/throw the ball/beanbag into the box. Coach demonstrates a maximum of three variants (depending on age: see feathers and progressions) with the assistant or a player, and then sends parents away to build a box and start practising

🎯 How to Play:

1. Parent and child find a space and draw their own box (based on the coach's demonstration)

2. The child hits forehands/ backhands/ throws (coach decides based on group and age: see feathers and progressions)

3. The parent stands ready to catch the ball after one bounce

• If the ball lands inside the box: The child takes one step back = Harder challenge

• If it misses the box: They stay where they are, and the child tries again

🏆 How far back can the child move back before the time is up?

🪶 Feathers (Simplified for Younger Children):

• Throw beanbags into the box (underarm)

• Throw and catch, toss a football, landing in the box

• Use hitting tees to hit in the box

• Use a larger box or hoop as a target

• Let the child drop-hit instead of hitting from a feed

• Use balloons or foam balls for easier control

• Allow the child to stand closer and roll or gently tap the ball

• Parent can “trap and roll” instead of catch if easier

⚡ Progressions (Older/Mixed Ages):

• Alternate between forehands and backhands

• Try hitting the left or right corners of the box

• Add a bonus point if the ball bounces inside the box and is caught cleanly

• Use scoring: 1 point per box hit, 5 hits = level up

• Try a serve variation: underarm serve into the box, then overarm or throw the ball to start a rally

• Use a mini-red ball, and rally with the parent/ child in the box.

• Play points where the ball has to bounce into the box once and two bounces on your side, then progress to just one bounce your side, then volleys with no bounces

🌈 Seasonal Variations:

• 🎄 Christmas: Draw a present 🎁 inside the box and say “deliver the gift!”🐣 Easter: Drop cones/eggs in the target box and say, “Can you crack the Easter egg?”

• 💝 Valentine’s: Use heart-shaped targets – “hit the love zone!”

• 🎃 Halloween: “Can you scare the ghost hiding in the box?”🌸 Mother’s Day / Father’s Day: “Deliver your ball into the Mum/Dad zone for a surprise hug!”

Tennis Snooker 🎱

Theme: "Snooker meets tennis in this fast-paced, colourful challenge of accuracy, speed, and fun!"

🎯 Objective:

Children race to collect coloured beanbags (or soft balls) from a triangle in the centre and place them into the correct “pocket” (a colour-matched bucket or hoop), learning colour matching, directional movement, and spatial awareness. 

Audio Block

Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more

🧠 Learning Focus:

• Agility, speed, direction change

• Colour recognition and decision making

• Control and aim

• Early tennis footwork patterns

🏗 Setup:

• 🟥 In the centre: arrange small red traffic cones in a triangle (like red balls in snooker).

• 💼 Place a heap of beanbags in the middle of that triangle (use 12–20).

• 🟨🟩🟦🟥 Place 4 tubs, buckets, or hoops in each corner of the court/hall — each surrounded by coloured cones (e.g., green, yellow, purple, red) to match the beanbags.

• 🧒 Children line up at a central starting line (or divide into teams if space allows).

🎮 How to Play:

1. On “GO!”, children run into the centre, pick one beanbag at a time and place it on their racket, and look for the matching coloured pocket.

2. They run to that pocket and drop the beanbag inside, then sprint back to the centre to collect the next one.

3. Continue until all bags are cleared.

4. Count how many bags made it into the correct tubs.

⚡ Progressions (For Older Kids):

1. Ball Challenge – As beanbags disappear, start to add balls which are harder to balance

2. Catchers – Add two coaches holding catching nets as moving “pockets”. Children must throw soft balls to be caught on the move

3. Turn the tubs on their side (like tennis golf) and dribble balls - Add foam or inflatable balls into the central triangle. These must be rolled or dribbled (hockey style) to the matching tub.

4. Kids hit/ throw balls in pockets from a distance – dribble/ balance up to the marker (line of cones), then have to hit a shot or throw into the pockets; progress to backhands, serves, move pockets further and further away

5. Timed Round – Set a 1–2 minute timer and challenge players to collect as many as they can before time runs out.

6. Mistake Penalty – If a bag goes in the wrong colour tub, child must return it and try again.

🪶 Feathers (Simplified for Younger Tots):

• Let children walk instead of run.

• Allow parents to run alongside and guide.

• Use only 2–3 colours for simpler decision-making.

• Let children hold the racket in their hands rather than on racket.

• Use bigger tubs/hoops to help with aiming, or ask parents to move tubs so that they easily fall in

🎄 Seasonal Variations:

🎃 Halloween – Change beanbags to “slime blobs” or “pumpkin seeds,” and buckets become cauldrons.
🎅 Christmas – Beanbags become “presents,” and tubs are chimneys or stockings.
💘 Valentine’s – Use red/pink hearts and tubs are “love letter” mailboxes.
🐣 Easter – Beanbags are “chocolate eggs,” tubs become Easter baskets.
🎨 Colour Hunt Theme – Children are “colour collectors” racing to restore rainbow colours to their correct zones.

Introduction 👋– 1 to 3 Minutes 🎾 🥎

🕒 Timing: Immediately after warm-up, while assistants are setting up the first game (e.g. Tennis Fishing).

📍 Sit children down in a circle at one end of the room or court.

🎾 Summary

The Introduction sets the tone for the session and builds a positive connection between the children, the coaches, and the equipment. It’s calm and simple, allowing children to catch their breath, feel welcome, and focus ahead of the next activity.

✅ Step-by-Step Instructions: Circle Time 🧘

·      Ask all children to sit in a circle.

·      Invite children who have their own racket to collect it first and sit back down.

·      If a child doesn’t have a racket, reassure them: “We have a special racket just for you today!”

·      Introduce yourself and any assistant coaches, ask them if they can guess your names

✅ Step-by-Step continued…

·      Introduce Clawdia the Crab 🦀, your Tennis Tots mascot. Hold up a soft toy or point to her on your banner/ t-shirt . Next time ask them if they remember what Clawdia’s name is?

·      Say something like:“Clawdia 🦀 is going to help us learn how to play tennis today!”

·      What is this? (Hold up racket) ❓Ask the group: “What is this called?” (Let them shout out “Racket!”)

·      Introduce the parts of the racket in a fun way:

• Face – “This is where we hit the ball!”

• Heart – “This is the strong part in the middle.”

• Leg – “This part helps us hold the racket properly.” 

Shake Hands Grip 🤝

Say: “Can everyone shake hands with their racket?”

Help them hold the handle like they’re shaking hands.

Reinforce that this is the best way to hold the racket.

Use positive reinforcement: “Great grip! That’s just how Clawdia does it!”

Transition to Game #1 🔄 

Give a quick, simple explanation of the next game (e.g., “We’re going fishing! You’ll balance fish on your racket and bring them back!”) 

Stand up slowly with them and lead them over to the game area.

🧠 Coach Tips

• Keep it calm and engaging – this is a reset moment 

• Smile and keep eye contact with children and parents 

• Reinforce good behaviour: “I love how you’re sitting nicely!” 

• Use Clawdia to keep younger children engaged 

• Empower parents to help their child with grip and holding the racket

🪶 Feathers (for Younger Children)

Have parents hold the racket for children or guide their hand

Let Clawdia “talk” (puppet voice) to explain racket parts

Keep circle small and short

🧗‍♂️ Progressions (for Older Children)

Ask: “What other sports use a racket?”

Encourage older ones to try bounce and catch while sitting

Let them name the racket parts themselves

For older children who have been many times, breeze through or miss most of the introduction

Chase the Tail 🧣 🎾 🥎

Please click here for YouTube link for Chase the tail

🎯 Purpose: Improve balance, colour recognition, Category: Finishing Game 2-5minutes

Equipment Needed: Colourful scarves (tails)

How to Play

Each child wears a tail (colourful scarf) tucked into their waistband, trousers, or the back of their shirt like a cape. Once everyone is ready, children run around the space while a parent or carer chases them, trying to grab the tail. Once caught, the roles swap—kids become the chasers and try to grab their parents' tails!

☀️ Coach Tips

✅ Only parents or carers should attach the scarf "tails" to children.

✅ Make sure tails are tucked in securely but not too tight.

✅ Encourage lots of running, laughter and swapping roles.

✅ Reinforce taking turns and fair play.

🪶 Feathers (Simplify)

Children can start by simply running with tails and not be chased. Parents jog slowly or walk for younger children.

🔁 Progression (Challenge)

Add multiple parents and tails.

Reduce number of tails so multiple children are chasing same children

Have one tail and catcher has to wear

Coconut Shy🎾 🎯 🥥 🥎

Please click here for YouTube link for Coconut Shy tutorial

🎯 Focus: Throwing accuracy, technique to develop serving, and fun competition 

🧰 Set-Up

Set up a tennis net or cone barrier across the middle of the space 

Place tennis balls on top of hitting tees or cones (hitting tees work better) along the other side of the net/barrier — these are the “coconuts”

🏹 How to Play

Ask the kids “have they ever been to a summer fete?...Seen a coconut shy? “

Children stand behind a line or designated throw zone. The aim is to knock the coconuts (balls) off the tees

Correct Technique

Sideways stance; ball or beanbag behind the ear to allow elbow to bend. Encourage to use entire body to rotate up and outwards. Serving development: Explain to children and Parents how good throwing technique is important for later serving development. If you are able demonstrate first a serve and then a throw to show the similarities

Coaches or assistants recycle beanbags and move around the group, checking technique and providing praise or small corrections. Move to foam balls when run out of beanbags

🔁 Progressions

🎯 Move the throw line further back to increase difficulty

🪁 Add a challenge round — 3 throws each, how many can you hit?

🔄 Kids pair up and count each other’s hits (scorekeeping)

🪶 Feathers – Younger Children

✅ Let younger kids move closer to the net/barrier or even remove barrier entirely

☀️ Coach Tips

·       Keep the pace lively – have spare beanbags ready

·       Use visual and verbal cues: “Let’s knock those coconuts down!”

·       Clap and cheer when a child gets one – even close throws should be praised

·       Try to impart correct technique (sideways and behind ear) but don’t over-correct – focus on fun and effort

Tennis Fishing 🎣 🎾 🥎

🎯 Purpose: Improve balance, colour recognition, coordination, and control — with fun, fishing-themed play!

🧠 Set-Up ⏸️ Coach scatters different colour round cones (fish) across the room ("the pond") 

🟠 At one end of the space, place matching coloured traffic cones (these are the “collection buckets”)

🥎 Each child holds a racket (fishing rod)

🎣 How to Play

🧒 Children start at one end of the room

🎾 They walk into the “pond” and use their racket to pick up one round cone (fish)

🏃 They carry it back balanced on their racket

🌈 Match the colour of the round cone and “hang it” on the matching coloured traffic cone

🔁 Repeat — one fish at a time!

🔁 Progressions

🍓 Beanbags: Add these for older or confident players — trickier to balance!

🎾 Tennis Balls: Even more challenging — kids must move slowly and with control. Hold on heart (V shape throat) of racket if kids are struggling.

🌀 Coloured tubs near cones or at the side for beanbags and balls to be “caught” inside

🪶 Feathers – Younger Tots

✅ Allow walking only — no running

🖐️ Assist them in picking up and balancing

👨‍👩‍👧 Let parents carry the racket and child places the item

☀️ Coach Tips

Use a storytelling theme: "Let’s go fishing in the sea!" or "Catch the rainbow fish!"

🗣️ Narrate with humour: "Oh no, that one's wriggly!" / "You caught a golden fish!"

💛 Praise effort, not just success

📣 Encourage children to cheer each other on as they return with their fish.

Warm-Up🔥 🎾 🥎

Please click here for YouTube link for warmup tutorial

🔥 Movement, Coordination & Focus

🧠 Purpose

To activate children’s bodies, improve balance and coordination, and get them engaged and smiling before the session begins!

📍 Set-Up

🟠 Use one colour of round cones in a large circle in the middle of the space

🎶 Optional: play fun music to get energy levels up

✅ No rackets or balls at the start — just bodies, cones, and imagination

🚶 How to Begin

🎯 Start with basic warm-up movements inside the circle:

o   ✨ Star jumps

o   🦵 One-leg balance

o   🤸 Gentle stretches

🌀 Children then move around the cone circle in different ways:

o   🚶 Walk

o   💂 March

o   🏃 Jog

o   🔙 Backwards

o   🦀 Crab walk IMPORTANT!

o   🐎 Horse gallops

🧊 Coach shouts “Freeze!” intermittently — kids stop and hold a pose or balance!

🧱 Obstacle Challenge Build-Up

Coaches begin to add progressively challenging obstacles to the circle as warm-up continues:

🔁 Movement Obstacles

• 🔶 Cone Lines – jump over two-foot lines

• 🟠 Traffic Cones – higher jumps (🧑‍🤝‍🧑 parents can assist little ones)

• 🐍 Cone Snake – place cones in zigzag to step between (two feet either side)

• 🌀 Slalom – weave through a line of cones

• 🚪 Gate Game – “open and close” gate shapes with legs

🧗 Crawling & Balance Challenges

• 🎯 Pole Crawl – tall cones + poles to crawl under

• 🪜 Ladder Hops – hop through agility ladder

• 🚶Stepping stones (throw down dots)

• 🪵 Walk the Plank – throw-down lines like tightrope

• 🛞 Tyre Run – jump between hoops like a boot camp

🧤 Ball + Balance Add-Ons

• 🪄 Add rackets + beanbags → balance while walking

• 🎾 Coach rolls footballs slowly as moving obstacle

• 🥏 Coach frisbees cones gently toward feet (kids dodge them!)

• 🚫 Use foam balls to fire at footballs in path — kids must avoid!

🐣 Feathers (For Younger Tots)

• 💬 Narrate movements (“Let’s march like soldiers!”)

• 🖐️ Encourage parent/assistant to hold hands for support

• 🪶 Remove difficult jumps/slaloms if too tricky

☀️ Coach Tips

• 🗣️ Give BIG energy and be silly — kids will copy you

• 👀 Adjust pace to suit group — add obstacles gradually

• 💛 Praise effort and bravery, not perfection

• 🎭 Mix imagination (e.g. “Crawl under the dragon’s tail!”)