- 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 (knee height for beginners)
- A service box
- A target square on the wall
- A baseline
A net; 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 two players side by side at the net and volley back and forth with the other pair, counting.
- Hit a ball down the middle: one player calls "mine" and plays it, the other calls "yours".
- Show moving together: when one steps left, the other steps left too.
Show it once from the front and once from the side, slowly. Then let your child try.
- Volleys at the net in pairs, counting to 20.
- "Mine" or "yours": one player calls every ball.
- Then serve, return and one more shot only.
How much: 3 games
Call mine or yours, loud
Doubles with a bonus
The rules
Play doubles games; a return that lands deep, behind the service line, scores a bonus point.
- Play doubles with normal tennis scoring, or first to 7 points
- Each player serves a game in turn
- A return of serve landing past the service line adds a bonus point
Fair play: The stronger pair must call every ball aloud.
- Points
- 1 point for each point won; 1 bonus point for a deep return.
- Fouls
- The point goes to the other pair: both partners hit the ball; no call on a middle ball; the ball bounces twice
- Win
- The pair with more points after 3 games.
- 4
- 8
- 12
20 volleys in a row in pairs; every ball in 1 game called.
End on one that works. If it was hard today, finish with the easier version.
Well played.
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