Tennis is an enjoyable and relatively safe game that kids of all ages can play. Along with having a lot of fun while playing tennis, kids can develop both physically and psychologically, according to Jack Groppel, a contributor to the U.S. Tennis Association's website. Groppel suggests that tennis can improve physical qualities such as agility, coordination, flexibility, speed and strength and psychological attributes such as cooperation, discipline, problem solving, sportsmanship and teamwork. Kids don't have to always play by the traditional rules when learning how to play tennis. As an adult responsible for teaching tennis to a group of kids, you can have them play a variety of tennis-related games to learn the fundamentals and basic rules of the game.
Count the Hits
This game teaches your kids to hit backhand and forehand ground strokes accurately. Have them form a line behind the baseline, and have one player at a time move just inside the baseline in the center of the court. From the opposite side of the net, hit or throw a ball to the child's backhand or forehand side and have him hit it back to your side of the net. See which player can hit the ball in play the most times in a row. Have younger children start near the service line, rather than the baseline, so that they don't have to hit the ball as far.
Hit and Run
This game prepares your kids for long rallies during tennis matches by improving their physical conditioning. It is appropriate for school-aged children who have some experience playing the game. Have one student at a time line up in the center of the court, between the baseline and service line. From the opposite side of the net, alternate hitting balls toward opposite corners so that children have to run to hit the ball, and then immediately run back to the middle. Like the first game, see which player can return the most balls in a row before tiring.
Timed Rally
This game improves your kids' ground strokes by having them hit back and forth with a partner. Divide the children into pairs, and have each pair go to a different court. If you have more pairs than courts, some will have to sit out. Set a timer for 30 seconds, and, on your command, have each set of partners hit back and forth to each other. If either partner makes a mistake, both have to sit down. The pairs still hitting when time expires are the winners. You can increase the time as the children improve. You can also play the game untimed, until only one pair is left.
Member Comments