- 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?
Soft balls.
Three minutes to get warm.
Easy jogging on the spot, then arms and legs. How to warm up well is explained at workonfitness.com.
- Stand at the service line, both of you, and hit gently with short swings.
- Aim high over the net, so the ball lands in the middle of the other side.
- Step back to the baseline and do the same with longer swings.
Show it once from the front and once from the side, slowly. Then let your child try.
- Keep the ball going, any stroke; play the backhand side with the same face.
- Short rally first: both at the service line, compact strokes.
- Then from the baseline.
- Aim short rather than into the net.
How much: 5 rallies
Higher over the net
Beat your rally
The rules
Count the hits in a row over the net; beat your best.
- One player starts with an easy drop-and-hit
- Count every hit that goes over the net and lands in
- The rally ends on a miss. 5 rallies
Fair play: A grown-up plays only backhands.
- Points
- 1 point for each hit in the best rally.
- Fouls
- The count stops: the ball lands out; two bounces before the hit; a hard hit meant to win the point
- Win
- Beat your best rally.
Child
Grown-up
- 6
- 12
- 20
A rally of 20 between two.
End on one that works. If it was hard today, finish with the easier version.
Well played.
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