✕ 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 mat just behind the net.

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. Set up for a smash: leg back, eyes on the falling ball.
  2. At the last moment, slow the leg and touch the ball softly just over the net.
  3. Do one real smash, then one drop, with the same set-up.

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

The skill · 15 minutes
  1. Prepare exactly as for a smash.
  2. Play a very short, soft ball just over the net.
  3. 10 tries at the mat, then swap.

How much: 10 tries each, 2 rounds

Same set-up as the smash

15:00
The game · 5 minutes

Smash or drop

The rules

Mix 5 smashes and 5 drops; the receiver calls which before contact.

  1. The feeder sends a high ball
  2. The player chooses smash or drop without saying
  3. The receiver calls "smash" or "drop" before the ball is hit
  4. 10 balls, then swap

Fair play: The player must play 5 of each.

Points
The player scores 1 point when the receiver guesses wrong and 1 point for each drop on the mat.
Fouls
No points: a different set-up for the drop; the receiver calling after contact; the drop landing past the mat
Win
More points after 10 balls each.
Score
0
  1. 4
  2. 7
  3. 10

5:00
Finish · 2 minutes

4 of 10 drops on the mat.

0/4

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.