• 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 net line
• The wide corners of the table
• A target (a paper square) on the far half

A bat; a ball.

Three minutes to get warm.

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

1. Shake hands with the bat: three fingers round the handle, the thumb on one side and the first finger along the back of the blade.
2. Stand an arm's length from the table, feet wider than the shoulders, weight on the balls of the feet, bat in front.
3. Tap the ball up on the forehand side, then the backhand side, then alternate.

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

1. Hold the bat: shake hands with it, first finger along the back of the blade.
2. The ready stance: an arm's length from the table, feet wider than the shoulders, weight on the balls of the feet, bat in front.
3. Tap the ball up on the bat, forehand side, backhand side, then alternating.
4. Walk with the ball balanced on the bat.

How much: 5 tries of each

Loose fingers, shake hands

Keepy-uppies

Points

1 point for each tap in your best tries, added together.

Fouls

The count stops: two taps in a row on the same side when alternating; a catch with the free hand; a fist grip instead of the shakehand grip

Win

Beat your best total.

1. ★ 15
2. ★★ 30
3. ★★★ 50

10 taps in a row on the forehand side and 8 alternating sides.

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

Well played.

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