- 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 feeder.
Three minutes to get warm.
Easy jogging on the spot, then arms and legs. How to warm up well is explained at workonfitness.com.
- From the ready position, side-step to the forehand corner without crossing the feet and play a shadow stroke.
- Side-step back to the middle, then to the backhand corner.
- Then the feeder alternates the balls and you step to each before hitting.
Show it once from the front and once from the side, slowly. Then let your child try.
- Shadow footwork with no ball: from the ready position, side-step to the forehand corner and back, then the backhand corner.
- The feeder alternates forehand and backhand balls; move to each.
- Then two balls to the backhand corner and one to the forehand.
How much: 10 balls, 4 sets
Step, then hit
Shadow rally
The rules
An imaginary rally with no ball; each player answers the other's stroke by moving and swinging.
- One player plays a shadow stroke to a corner and says it: "forehand corner"
- The other side-steps there and plays a shadow stroke back to a corner of their own
- Keep going; 20 strokes
Fair play: A grown-up calls slower corners.
- Points
- 1 point for each answer with the right steps and stroke.
- Fouls
- No point: crossing the feet; reaching with the arm instead of stepping; weight on the heels
- Win
- More points after 20 strokes each.
Score
- 8
- 14
- 20
10 balls in a row to alternating sides.
End on one that works. If it was hard today, finish with the easier version.
Well played.
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