Mini Racket Wall Target Challenge

In pairs, students use mini rackets to hit a soft ball at targets taped to a wall from increasing distances, alternating forehand and backhand. Students work on accuracy, controlling force and beating their own score.

How to play

1. Tape targets in three colors to the wall (green at 3 ft, yellow at 5 ft, red at 6.5 ft) and set cones at 10, 13 and 16 ft. Make pairs (3 min).
2. One partner hits while the other retrieves and keeps score; switch every 6 hits. Green 1 point, yellow 2, red 3.
3. Round 1 (3 min): forehand off a bounce from the 10-ft cone.
4. Round 2 (3 min): backhand. With 3 hits in a row, move back to the next cone.
5. Round 3 (4 min): each pair picks distance and stroke to beat its round 1 score. Clean up and ask: what made the ball go straight? (2 min).

Rules

• Always hit from behind the cone; touching a target's edge counts.
• The retriever waits to the side until the hitter lowers the racket.
• Safety: each pair uses its own section of wall, about 6 ft from the next pair.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student hits seated from about 6 ft and the partner hands the ball back.
• Visual impairment: large, high-contrast targets, and the partner claps on a hit.
• Skill level: a short-handled racket and a large foam ball.

Learning goals

• Direct the ball with the racket at a specific target.
• Control hitting force based on distance.
• Beat a personal score by tracking results.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mini rackets: 13
• soft balls: 13
• targets: 18
• cones: 18

Teacher tip

Fabric or laminated cardstock targets stay up well with painter's tape. Remind students of the handshake grip and to finish the swing with the racket pointing at the target.

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