Racket: ball control with face and hand switches

Warm-up for the racket sports unit based on controlling the ball with one's own racket or paddle. Students alternate faces, heights and the non-dominant hand to sharpen their feel for the ball and gradually activate the wrist, forearm and shoulder.

How to play

1. Each student with a racket and a ball: bump the ball up with the forehand face, then the backhand face, then alternating faces (2 min).
2. Bumps on the move: walk and then jog around the court without letting the ball drop, changing direction on the whistle (2 min).
3. Same with the non-dominant hand, counting a personal record of consecutive bumps (1 min).
4. Pairs 10 feet apart: one self-bump and a soft send to the partner, who controls it and sends it back (2 min).
5. Each pair invents a control challenge and teaches it to another pair (1 min).

Rules

• Keep at least 10 feet between students so nobody gets hit by a racket.
• If the ball gets away, pick it up without crossing in front of another pair.
• Soft hits only: nobody hits hard in this warm-up.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: do the bumps from the chair and travel short stretches pushing with the free hand.
• Visual impairment: use a sound ball and work with a bounce, with a partner calling the distance.
• Autism: give the full sequence of challenges in writing and give notice before each change.

Learning goals

• Improve feel for the ball with different faces and heights.
• Gradually activate the wrist, forearm and shoulder.
• Design and explain a control challenge to another pair.

Equipment for a class of 25

• rackets or paddles: 30
• balls: 30

Teacher tip

It works for badminton, padel, tennis or beach paddles: match the ball to your school's equipment. Watch for students who lock the wrist and suggest shorter bumps.

More activities like this

More warm-ups for High School