Teaching tennis in schools exposes students to a game they might not otherwise learn to play. Tennis gets kids moving and also focuses on specific motor skills, such as grasping and swinging the racket. Introductory tennis activities give kids a chance to learn the basic tennis moves that they can apply later in an actual game situation.
Racquet Catch
Handling the racket is a basic skill to introduce tennis to kids. The students work in pairs for this activity. Each student needs a tennis racket. Each pair needs a small beanbag. The kids take turns tossing the beanbag to their partners as they stand a few feet apart. The partner catches the beanbag with the racket. The kids each take a step back when the each member of the team successfully catches the beanbag on the racket.
Wall Rally
The wall provides a practice spot for kids as they are learning to control the tennis racket. The kids stand around 10 feet away from a wall. They can practice individually or in pairs. The child serves the ball to the wall, aiming it so the ball bounces back. The player or players hit the tennis ball back toward the wall, continuing the rally as long as possible. The kids practice their swings and movements to get to the tennis ball.
Mini Tennis
A concrete area on the playground, such as a basketball court or wide sidewalk, works well for creating mini tennis courts for kids. Draw a rectangle on the concrete with sidewalk chalk. You can make the court any size, as long as you allow enough room for the kids to stand and move around a little. A chalk line or a jump rope works to create the net. PE Central recommends having the kids use their palms with their hands flat, but you could also use rackets if you prefer. This game gives the kids a more manageable playing area when they are learning tennis basics.
Line Tennis
If you have limited playing area, this version of tennis for kids gives everyone a chance to hit the ball. Divide the kids into two teams, with one team on each side of the net. The kids make a line at the back or side of the court. The first person in line steps into the tennis court and hits the ball to the first person on the other team. After hitting the ball, the player goes to the back of the line and the next person runs onto the court to hit the ball. Continue rotating kids to keep the rally going.
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