Color Calls the Shot: Red for Forehand, Blue for Backhand

A partner drill where the color of the tossed ball decides the stroke: red is a forehand, blue a backhand, even if you have to run around it. It trains footwork and quick decisions.

How to play

1. Pairs with a bucket of two-colored balls; the tosser throws underhand with a bounce to the hitter, who returns toward a wall or over a line (4 min).
2. Tosses to the forehand and backhand sides, always matching the color: the hitter learns the setup (4 min).
3. Random tosses: the color may not match the side, so the hitter must move and get around the ball (5 min).
4. Challenge: ten in a row with the right stroke landing past the line; then switch roles (5 min).
5. Sort the balls by color back into the buckets (2 min).

Rules

• Tossers throw underhand and wait until the hitter is ready.
• All pairs hit in the same direction.
• Push loose balls with the foot out of the hitting zone.

Variations

Adaptations

• Color-blind students: use balls with or without a strip of tape instead of red and blue.
• Limited mobility: tosses arrive within reach and only the color changes, not the placement.
• Students with attention difficulties: the tosser shows the ball for a second before throwing.

Learning goals

• Tell apart and perform the forehand and backhand.
• Adjust foot position to the ball.
• Make quick decisions from a visual cue.

Equipment for a class of 25

• beach paddles: 30
• red balls: 30
• blue balls: 30
• buckets: 15

Teacher tip

No two-colored balls? Mark half with a permanent marker or electrical tape. Red and blue can be hard for some color-blind students: ask first and switch to striped versus plain.

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