✕ 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?

A racket; a partner to clap.

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. Lay the racket flat on the ground and pick it up from above by the handle: that is the grip.
  2. Stand with feet a little wider than the shoulders, knees soft, racket in front: the ready position.
  3. On a clap, do a small hop, then 3 quick steps to one side and back.

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

The skill · 8 minutes
  1. Lay the racket flat on the ground and pick it up from above (the Western grip).
  2. The same face hits both sides.
  3. Ready stance: feet a little wider than the shoulders, knees soft, racket in front.
  4. On the clap, a small hop, then 3 quick steps and back.
  5. Then 20 slow shadow swings.

How much: 20 hops and 20 swings

Racket flat, grip from above

8:00
The game · 5 minutes

Point and go

The rules

On the clap the partner points left or right; the child hops and moves that way.

  1. The child stands ready
  2. Clap, then point left or right
  3. The child hops, takes 3 steps that way and comes back to ready
  4. 10 claps

Fair play: Clap slowly for a younger child.

Points
1 point for each right direction; 1 more point for being back in ready before the next clap.
Fouls
No points: moving before the clap; flat feet on the hop; the grip slips round
Win
Beat your best from 10 claps.
Child
0
Grown-up
0
  1. 8
  2. 14
  3. 20

5:00
Finish · 2 minutes

10 of 10 pick-ups in the same grip.

0/10

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.