Forehand or Backhand? Paddle Toss-and-Hit
In groups of three, a tosser sends the ball by hand to the hitter's forehand or backhand side, and the hitter picks the right stroke and returns it to a marked zone. Students learn forehand versus backhand, how to read the ball's side and how to set their feet.
How to play
- Trios with one paddle and three balls: tosser, hitter and retriever. The hitter stands on a cone and the tosser 13 feet away, next to a 4-cone square that is the target zone (3 min).
- Strokes with no ball: forehand with the ball on the paddle-hand side; backhand on the other side, opposite shoulder forward. 10 shadow swings of each (2 min).
- The tosser sends 6 underhand balls with a bounce, alternating forehand and backhand. Each return into the zone is a point (4 min).
- Rotate: hitter to retriever, retriever to tosser, tosser to hitter (4 min).
- Random side: the tosser no longer says which side; the hitter reads the ball, side-steps and picks the stroke (5 min).
- Each trio adds its points and each student shares which stroke is harder and why (2 min).
Rules
- The retriever stands behind the tosser, never next to the hitter.
- No one goes near a swinging paddle.
- Keep 13 feet between trios, all hitting the same direction.
Variations
Easier
The tosser calls the side, and the ball is hit almost at rest after the bounce.
Standard
Six alternating tosses, then random side.
Harder
A smaller target zone and recovery to the start cone between hits.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: students using wheelchairs hit with the tosser 10 feet away and tosses closer to the body.
- Low vision: a bright ball, a "ready" call on release and high-contrast cones.
- Skill level: confident hitters aim at the cone the tosser names; students who struggle choke up on the paddle.
Learning goals
- Tell forehand from backhand based on the ball's side.
- Use side steps to get into position before hitting.
- Direct the ball to a zone with control.
Equipment for a class of 25
- paddles: 9
- tennis balls: 27
- cones: 45
Teacher tip
For lefties the forehand and backhand sides are reversed: demonstrate with a left-handed student. Use old or low-compression tennis balls, which bounce less.
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