Each child stands on a pre-positioned spot on the court. Place the spots in a single line along the baseline, or use the baseline and a sideline, leaving plenty of room in between. (Tell the children the names of the lines you use and ask them to remember them.) Have them imitate the leader for the following movements:

• Jog slowly in place for a few seconds, then take steps as fast as they can
• March lifting the knees high and swinging the arms
• Jump on both feet
• Squat and jump like a frog

Count aloud to keep the class in sync while doing the following stretches:

• Hands reach for the sky and then down to the toes
• Arm circles forward and backward
• Windmills alternate reaching the right hand to the left foot and the left hand to the right foot

Racquet balance (3 min.)

Have the children balance their racquet on its head, then let go of the handle and catch it before the racquet falls to the court. For more of a challenge, have them let go, clap and catch the racquet.

Children can get comfortable handling a racquet by doing the following holds:

• Two hands
• One hand
• In front of the body
• Behind
• High in the sky
• As close to the court as possible without touching the ground
• Holding only the strings
• Holding the handle/grip

Children can learn to maneuver the racquet by moving it from hand to hand:

• Around the body
• Around the leg
• While standing back-to-back with a partner, pass the racquet around you both

Use a racquet as a prop for a number of imaginative activities:

• Large spoon stirring a pot
• Guitar
• Canoe paddle
• Hat
• Mirror
• Saw
• Fan

Have the children push a large rubber ball or beach ball along the court with their racquets, going from the baseline to the service line or the net and back.

Each child should stand across the doubles alley (Crocodile River) from a parent-coach. The river is full of crocodiles that will eat anything that falls in. The objective is to safely pass a beanbag from coach to student, racquet to racquet, across the alley. Set goals for the number of safe handoffs.

Have the children stand very near the short net. Show them how to touch their racquet to the coach’s hand in a high five, then how to use the same motion to high five the ball. Coaches should stand close and toss balls so the children can tap them over the net. Count the repetitions aloud and rotate the children quickly, letting them run to pick up their balls before getting in line again. Have them take one step back when they are successful for several tries. Only the child hitting should have a racquet.

Easier – A helium balloon tied to the net is an easier way to teach children this simple striking skill.

Red light/green light (5 min.)

All children begin at the baseline and the coach stands at the net. When the coach calls "green light," children move as quickly as possible toward the net. When the coach calls "red light," the children must freeze. The game continues until a child reaches the net.