- 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.
Is the space marked?
- A wall line at net height
- A home base spot
- A service target
A racket or bat each; a soft ball; a wall or a net.
Three minutes to get warm.
Easy jogging on the spot, then arms and legs. How to warm up well is explained at workonfitness.com.
- Bounce the ball up on the racket face, gently, 5 times.
- Stand in the ready position: knees bent, racket in front.
- Hit the ball gently forward with a short swing and follow through toward the target.
- Step back to the ready position.
Show it once from the front and once from the side, slowly. Then let your child try.
- Bounce the ball on the racket.
- Rally: short backswing, a gentle stroke and a follow-through.
- Back to the ready position between shots.
How much: 3 ladder games
Hit forward, not up
Ladder rallies
The rules
Reach a target number of shots in a rally, starting at 2 and rising; a mistake resets.
- The first target is a rally of 2 shots
- Reach it, and the target rises by 1
- Miss, and the target drops back to 2
- 5 minutes; the score is the highest target reached
Fair play: A grown-up hits with the other hand.
- Points
- The highest rally target reached.
- Fouls
- The target resets to 2: a big swing that sends the ball high; not back in the ready position before the next shot; the wrist strap off
- Win
- Beat your best target.
- 4
- 7
- 10
A rally of 6 shots in a row.
End on one that works. If it was hard today, finish with the easier version.
Well played.
Saved in this browser only. Next time, "What should we practise today?" picks up from here.