Forehands – 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, and finishing over opposite shoulder
🎯 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)
🎯 Parents place 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 up the back of the ball topspin. Use “spin machines” if you have them, which are great ways of training wrist position on groundstrokes.
✋ Encourage one-handed hitting if ready (left arm out like a starfish)
🔄 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 checkpoints
Walking–2.5 yrs: Tees only/ Small foam balls
2.5–3 yrs: Tees + parent drop feed; Small + large foam
3–4 yrs: Drop feeds + soft tosses, Large foam balls
4–5 yrs Mix of feeds, start rallying if ready. Large foam, mini red
5-6 years: introduce more targets for hitting into and movement drills e.g. hit ball and recover to area. Mixing forehand and backhand side, coming forward to volley.
7-8 years plus: More game specific, cross court, down the line, moving forward. Start to rally with parents/ coaches and other children
🎤 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!Make it stand out