✕ Close Setup
Before you start
  • Check the space and the kit.
  • Get your child's attention first.
  • Show it from two sides.
  • Say one thing only.
  • End on one that works.

Put the phone down where you can see it. Tap Next with your thumb, or use the arrow keys.

Setup · 1 minute

Is the space marked?

  • The net line across the middle of the strip
  • A service line on each side, 2 m from the net
  • A circle about 1 m wide in each far corner (chalk or tape)

A court; a score sheet.

Warm up · 3 minutes

Three minutes to get warm.

Easy jogging on the spot, then arms and legs. How to warm up well is explained at workonfitness.com.

3:00
Show it · 1 minute
  1. Explain the end of a game: the first to 21 wins, but you need a lead of 2.
  2. At 20-all (deuce), play goes on until someone leads by 2.
  3. Start a mini-game at 18-18 and say your planned shot aloud before you serve.

Show it once from the front and once from the side, slowly. Then let your child try.

The skill · 20 minutes
  1. Set the score to 18-18.
  2. The server says the task aloud.
  3. Play to 21, with a lead of 2.
  4. Reset and play again. 6 mini-games.

How much: 6 mini-games from 18-18

Slow down, take a breath

20:00
The game · 5 minutes

Mini-games from 18-18

The rules

Each mini-game is played to 21 with a lead of 2, then the score resets.

  1. Start at 18-18; the player serves
  2. Play normal rallies, with the usual faults
  3. The first to 21, with a lead of 2, wins the mini-game
  4. Before each game point, the player names the shot they will play

Fair play: If one player wins 3 in a row, the next mini-game starts with them 1 point behind.

Points
1 point for each rally won. Count the mini-games won.
Fouls
The other player wins the rally: the shuttle goes into the net or out; a net touch or a double hit; a serve that is not hit underarm and low
Win
The player who wins more of the 6 mini-games.
Child
0
Grown-up
0
  1. 3
  2. 4
  3. 5

5:00
Finish · 2 minutes

The player chooses and plays a planned shot on game point in 5 of 6 mini-games.

0/5

End on one that works. If it was hard today, finish with the easier version.

Finished

Well played.

Saved in this browser only. Next time, "What should we practise today?" picks up from here.