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