Divide students into equal teams of 3-4 on either side of the net (for a bigger group you may want to set up more than one game). One team will start with the tennis ball and throw the ball onto the other side. The receiving team have to let the ball bounce before they catch it (for younger students you may allow the ball to bounce 3 times). Once they have caught the ball they can choose to either pass it to a team mate or throw it directly back over the net. When throwing the ball over the net we want the students to be throwing it like they would be serving in tennis. Points are awarded to the opposing team if: - the ball goes out of the playing area - the ball hits the net - if the ball bounces more than the allocated amount of times before it is caught.
Change the number of times the ball is allowed to bounce (less for higher ability). Alter the size of the playing area by making it bigger or smaller. Change the number of students on each team.
Use an orange circle tennis ball as they will bounce slower. The use of a balloon can also be good for hitting up in the air as it is slow moving.
Students find a partner and stand on opposite sides of the net with one tennis ball. One student will do a "hand serve" to their partner. This is done by throwing the ball up with their non-dominant hand and hit the ball over the net with their dominant hand (flat). The receiver will let the ball bounce once and then roll the ball back to the server. The server will have 4 turns and then students will swap roles. Key points for the serve: Stand side on L shape start position with dominant hand Hit the ball with a "stop sign"
Students move further away from the net. If students are struggling to make contact with the ball through a hit, they can go back to throwing. Change the size of the ball.
Use an orange circle tennis ball as they will bounce slower. The use of a balloon can also be good for hitting up in the air as it is slow moving.
Students find a partner and stand on opposite sides of the net with one tennis ball. One student will be the server and the other will be the receiver. The server will start standing side on, with their racquet in an L shape. The server will make contact with the ball making a "stop sign" with the racquet. The receiver will let the ball bounce and then try and catch the ball in a cone. They will roll the ball back under the net to the server. Students will swap roles after 4 turns. The receiver will then need a racquet and will let the ball bounce and then "sandwich" the ball using one hand and the racquet. The receiver will then try and return the serve back to their partner, completing a serve and return. The server and receiver will then complete a 3 hit rally after the serve.
Students move further away from the net. Allow the ball to bounce twice or complete a two tap before returning the serve.
Use an orange circle tennis ball as they will bounce slower. The use of a balloon can also be good for hitting up in the air as it is slow moving.