- 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 or rope line
- A serving line
- A target square on the wall or the floor
A net at about 2 m or at the reach of the shortest player; a light 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.
- Throw the ball over the net into free space: the middle, an edge, a corner.
- In pairs: one catches, tosses it up to the partner, and the partner digs it over.
- Win back the serve, then move one place clockwise.
Show it once from the front and once from the side, slowly. Then let your child try.
- 1 v 1 throw-and-catch over the net, aiming at free space.
- Then catch, toss, dig in pairs.
- Up to three touches a side, never twice in a row by one player.
- Rotate clockwise when you win back the serve.
How much: 3 games
Shout 'mine'
2 v 2
The rules
A small-court game to 11 points with the three-touch rule.
- Serve underhand from behind the line
- Play up to three touches a side; catch-and-toss allowed for young players
- Every rally scores a point
- First to 11; swap sides after a game
Fair play: A grown-up must set every ball to the partner.
- Points
- 1 point for each rally won.
- Fouls
- The point goes to the other pair: the same player touching twice in a row; more than three touches; touching the net
- Win
- The first pair to 11 points.
- 4
- 8
- 11
A rally of 5 touches by both sides; then in 2 v 2 the ball crosses the net 4 times in a row after the serve.
End on one that works. If it was hard today, finish with the easier version.
Well played.
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