Mini Tennis: Crosscourt Forehand and Switching Down the Line

On mini tennis courts marked out in the schoolyard and with low-compression balls, students consolidate the crosscourt topspin forehand and practice when to switch direction down the line. The cue is to hit crosscourt safely and switch only when a comfortable ball comes.

How to play

1. Demonstrate the topspin forehand: shoulder turn on the backswing, contact in front of the body and a finish over the opposite shoulder (3 min).
2. Crosscourt forehand rally in pairs on the diagonal, counting consecutive shots over the net (6 min).
3. Switch drill: after three crosscourt shots, whoever gets a short ball, bouncing inside the service box, goes down the line and the partner tries to recover (7 min).
4. Points on half a court: the diagonal is open play and a down-the-line winner is worth 2 points (6 min).
5. Debrief on the rule “hit crosscourt until the ball invites you to switch” (3 min).

Rules

• Balls that roll onto another court are collected after the point, never by crossing a court in play.
• Students waiting their turn stay behind the baseline and 6 feet from the hitter.
• Switching down the line is only allowed on a short ball.
• Courts are at least 10 feet apart.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair user: two bounces allowed and the partner slows the pace.
• Partial visual impairment: bright yellow or orange ball and shorter courts.
• Elbow injury: lighter racket and fewer reps per set.

Learning goals

• Perform the topspin forehand crosscourt and down the line.
• Recognize the right ball for changing direction.
• Weigh the risk and reward of each direction in play.

Equipment for a class of 25

• tennis rackets: 28
• low-compression balls: 60
• mini tennis nets: 6

Teacher tip

Mini tennis courts can be marked with tape or chalk on a basketball court with a portable 32-inch net. Orange low-compression balls allow long rallies even with beginners.

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