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