Children can easily learn the basics of groundstrokes and footwork by using dangling balls on a teaching cable. The progression for teaching groundstrokes, starting with children as young as 4, follows. Older or more developed children may skip step 1.
- For greater success introducing a groundstroke to young children, have them stand sideways with their racquets back. (Some may need to start with their racquets at contact point and not take a backswing.)
- When children can perform the ball progression (steps a-c, described below) with enough success, have them stand sideways again but with the racquet centered so they must take a backswing. Repeat the progression.
- Now have children go through the progression starting from the traditional ready position –- facing forward with knees bent and racquet centered. They must be shown the basic footwork to pivot, turn and bring the racquet back before starting the forward movement.
Following is the progression for steps 1-3 outlined above.
Demonstrate and have the class shadow the stroke and any related footwork before moving children to the stationary balls to:
- Hit a stationary ball that is steadied between strokes by a parent-coach
- Hit a ball swung gently by the parent-coach, who catches it between strokes as the child prepares to hit again
- Make consecutive hits, pulling the racquet back between hits to prepare for contact (always in front) again as the ball swings back. This is a very controlled, compact movement so the ball doesn’t swing wildly.
- Now add footwork so that children can take a number of sidesteps before performing the turn/step/hit sequence to make contact with the ball. To practice on the dangling balls, have children line up at the end of the line of balls. Each child will sidestep to the first ball, pivot, step and hit, then sidestep to the next ball, and so on. Parent-coaches steady the ball so children can follow quickly behind one another.
- Finally, when children are gaining confidence with footwork patterns on the forehand and backhand sides, they can practice both. The pupil should stand directly behind the ball in ready position, then move around to the side of the ball to hit a forehand before quickly recovering and moving to the other side of the ball to hit a backhand. The focus is on very quick footwork, not necessarily form.
