Here are some games and drills we can play during tennis…

RING A RING A ROSIE

The students make a pinpoint circle and then take about seven steps backwards, making a larger circle around the instructor. The instructor spins their racket and when it falls whoever it points to is the first player. The instructor hits easy shots to each student around the circle. The ball must bounce before it is played. It must also bounce in front of the instructor on the return. If a players misses, they sit down until a winner is found.

BOUNCE AROUND THE BASKET

Two or more teams form lines behind the baseline. Each team has a container in front of their line, not far from the net. On the signal, the first player in each team continuously bounces the ball down on their racket while they run to the basket, circle it, and returns to  home base. When the player passes the baseline, the next player may go. The team that finishes the quickest is the winner.

HOT BALL

Teams are formed in straight lines behind the baseline. Each team has a ball basket placed in front, near the net. On the signal, the first player in each line puts a ball on the face of their racket and quickly moves to the basket to place it in. Then run back past the baseline. The next player then takes over and runs to the basket, puts the ball on their racket and takes it to the next player on their team. If the ball drops off the racket, the player must return to the spot where they took the ball, either the basket or the line, and start again. The team which finishes first is the winner.

HANDBALL TENNIS

Small courts are made using two rackets as nets. Chalk lines should be drawn, making the court square. The students bend over and play a game of tennis with their hands. This is a good way of teaching the scoring system in tennis.

HAND SERVING

A row of players line up across the net and only one metre from it. On the signal, the players, using only their hands, go through the complete service motion and hit the ball over the net. If a players hits the ball in the net they receive an “S”. Continue until someone spells “SERVE”, and the game is over. A new signal should be given for each service.

FOLLOW THE LEADER

The instructor, being the leader, shadows ground strokes and the serve without any instructions. The students merely try and imitate the instructor as closely as possible. Since the instructor is in front of the group, they can scan for faulty grips or footwork patterns during the stroke production.

PENNIES ON LEDGE

In a semi-circle around the instructor, the pupils find the point of contact with their rackets. The instructor puts a penny on the edge of each racket. Now the pupils back swing and again find the point of contact without the penny falling off.

CHECK-POINT

The instructor stands in front of the class and calls out different strokes. When he says “check-point”, the students must stop the action in the middle of the stroke. The students and instructor check to see that the grips and stroke productions are correct. Letters are given to players who make errors. The first error means the player receives a “C”. They receive a new letter for each mistake until they spell “CHECK” and the game is over.

SHADOW TENNIS

The players form a line behind each other in the middle of the court. The instructor calls out either forehands or backhands in any order. On each call, the students must run to the appropriate singles sideline before they can shadow the stroke. They must always return to the middle of the court before they can practice the next stroke.

BOUNCING CONTESTS

The students try to see how many times they can bounce the ball either down or up on their racket without a mistake. Make sure the students are using Eastern forehand grips.

SERVING CONTEST

From the baseline or any area of the court, have the players line up across the court. The players are allowed to serve until they miss. The player with the highest number of consecutive serves over the net is the winner.

TARGET PRACTICE

From a line drawn on one side of the court, the players aim for a target across the net. The players form their team lines with their target in front. Points are given each time the target is hit. The ground strokes and serves may be practised in this method. If the players have a ground stroke contest, the ball must be dropped to the ground before it is hit.

JUNIOR OLYMPICS

The players line up in two lines behind the team captain. The instructor hits a ball each to the first two players. They must hold their balance and the finish until the instructor tells them otherwise. The instructor gives them quality points for each stroke. Keeping the range of points very close, the team that finishes with the highest score is the winner.

VOLLEY CONTEST

Each group takes a position at the net. The assigned captain for the team sets up for easy volleys and the players constantly rotate. The team to make the highest number of hits in a predetermined time win the contest.

GROUNDSTROKE CONTEST

Each group takes a position behind their assigned hitting area. The assigned captain for the team sets up for easy ground strokes and the players constantly rotate. The team to make the highest number of hits in a predetermined time win the contest.

PASS THE RACKET

Two teams of players take a position on opposite sides of the net. The first player in either line are the only ones with a racket. One player starts the rally and after each turn the player passes the racket to the next person in line. The players constantly rotate. A player is eliminated if they make an error. The winning team is the group with a player/s still remaining.

INSTRUCTOR VERSUS STUDENTS

All the students line up behind each other on one side of the net with the instructor/s on the other side. Each player has one hit and then re-joins the back of the line. If a player makes a mistake they are out of the game until only one player is left as the winner.

SHORT COURT GROUND STROKE CONTEST

Select two teams who line up behind each other on either side of the net. The players then take it in turn to hit ground strokes returning to the back of their line after every hit. Each team starts with ten points and adds another point for every successful stroke. A point is deducted every time a ball goes into the net. A target score can be set to establish a winner.

ROUND THE WORLD

Start with an even amount of players on either side of the net. Players then take it is turn to his ground strokes. After each shot they run to join the line on the opposite side of the net. Keep score for the longest rally. Or give each players “lives” and keep playing until only one person is left as the winner.