GREEN 1 - WEEK 4
MEET & GREET
(2-3 minutes)
Talk to the kids and ask them questions about life outside of the tennis lesson:
- who is your favorite tennis player?
- what is your favorite sport?
- how is school?
- did you play tennis at home?
- do you have any pets?
- what is your favorite food?
etc.
Keep the conversation age appropriate
WARM-UP
(7-8 minutes)
KIDS: SHADOW STROKES
Players run patterns along various lines using basic footwork (run, shuffle).
Players perform a shadow swing stroke, use both sides.
Keep them moving continuously for 2 minutes.
ADULTS: SELF RALLY
- players perform forehand self rally up and down the court
- bounce the ball up gently at forehead level
- make it easier by bouncing it in place
Fundamental Teaching Points
- teach continental grip
- teach sideways set up position
- teach contact point
PLAY - PRACTICE - PLAY
(40 minutes)
RALLY CROSSCOURT
(10 minutes)
- players attempt to rally crosscourt with racquets
- if lower skill, they can use self rally to the net
Fundamental Teaching Points
- teach correct grips
- teach racquet facing target
- teach contact point
THROW TO VOLLEY
(10 minutes)
- players work in pairs: cooperation
- underhand throw to the volleyer
- introduce volley as a 'catching station'
Fundamental Teaching Points
- teach continental grip
- teach cross-step on volley
- teach contact point
OVERHEAD SERVE & RETURN CROSSCOURT
(10 minutes)
- players serve and return to each other
- not a rally, only one serve and one return
- can be brought closer to the net, if necessary
- alternate between hand toss overhead and racquet serve to maintain a balance of success and failure
Fundamental Teaching Points
- throwing motion from trophy position
- teach continental grip
- teach contact point
TEAM CONES WITH SERVE
(10 minutes)
- play up to 7 points
- collect cones, balls, or other items to keep score
- can be adjusted for semi-private by playing against each other
Fundamental Teaching Points
- sideways set up position
- recovery to ready position
- court boundaries
WRAP-UP
(5-10 minutes)
COURT TAKE-DOWN
- players and coach clean up together
- teach the importance of keeping everything organized
SUMMARIZE & ENCOURAGE
Ask the players questions about the lesson:
- what did we work on today?
- what did you learn today?
- what is your favorite shot?
+
- tell each player individually what was ONE THING they did great today and hand out Firefly Dollars
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- optional: coach target challenge for extra Firefly Dollar