Partner Paddle Wall Rally

Partners face a wall and take turns hitting the ball with paddles, so each player plays one rebound and leaves the next for the partner. Students practice forehand and backhand strokes, moving out of the way after hitting, and working together to keep the rally going.

How to play

1. Use chalk to draw a horizontal line 3 ft high on a smooth wall and a floor line 13 ft from the wall; give each pair a lane about 10 ft wide.
2. For 3 minutes, each student hits alone against the wall with one bounce between hits to find a rhythm.
3. For 5 minutes, alternating cooperative rally: A hits, the ball rebounds off the wall and bounces, B hits, and so on; the ball must hit the wall above the line.
4. After hitting, each student steps back and to the side to make room for the partner; the pair counts consecutive hits and records its best.
5. For 6 minutes, point play: you lose the point if the ball hits below the line, bounces twice, or lands outside the lane; play to 7 and then switch partners.
6. Finish with 3 minutes: each student tries 10 alternating forehand and backhand hits in a row with their last partner.

Rules

• After hitting, get out of your partner's space so no one gets hit with a paddle.
• The ball may bounce only once before you hit it.
• Each pair plays only in its own marked lane.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student plays from a fixed spot, the partner angles shots back to them, and a foam ball is used.
• Visual impairment: use a bright ball or one with a bell, and mark the wall with a high-contrast line.
• Lower skill level: start with a wide-faced paddle and a softer, lower-bouncing ball.

Learning goals

• Hit forehands and backhands with a paddle while controlling direction.
• Move into position and out of the way after each hit to help your partner.
• Sustain longer and longer cooperative rallies.

Equipment for a class of 25

• paddles: 25
• tennis balls: 15
• chalk: 4

Teacher tip

The main risk is partners crossing in the swing, so teach the 'hit and clear' rule before handing out balls. If wall space is limited, rotate three pairs per lane with waiting pairs behind the 13-foot line.

More activities like this

More main activities for Middle School