Standing Tennis Ball Passes
Stationary partner rallies with mini rackets and tennis balls, letting the ball bounce, to introduce forehand and backhand striking. Students work on hand-eye coordination, controlling the force of each hit and cooperation.
How to play
- Form pairs with a mini racket each and one ball; set them in rows 3 meters (about 10 ft) apart with 10 ft between pairs (1 min).
- Getting familiar: each student bounces the ball up on the racket 10 times and then down on the ground (1.5 min).
- Easy forehand feeds: one tosses by hand, the other hits after one bounce, then switch (1.5 min).
- Cooperative forehand rally with one bounce, no hand tossing (1.5 min).
- Backhand: the same rally using only backhands (1.5 min).
- Final challenge: count consecutive hits and record the pair's best score (1 min).
Rules
- Hit softly: the ball should reach your partner after one bounce.
- Keep a safe distance between pairs.
- If the ball rolls to another pair, wait for them to stop before getting it.
- Don't throw the racket or smash the ball up in the air.
Variations
Easier
A larger foam ball and hand-tossed feeds.
Standard
Rallies with one bounce using forehand and backhand.
Harder
Rallies with no bounce (volleys) from 2 meters apart.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: seated play with a larger ball and a shorter distance.
- Coordination difficulties: a racket with a bigger head or hitting with the hand.
- Shy or less skilled students: a patient partner and the challenge of beating their own score.
Learning goals
- Introduce forehand and backhand strokes with a racket.
- Improve hand-eye coordination.
- Control force to keep a rally going with a partner.
Equipment for a class of 25
- tennis balls: 15
- mini rackets: 26
Teacher tip
Have all pairs hit in the same direction so balls don't cross. Remind students to watch the ball until it hits the racket.
PatioLab has "Standing Tennis Ball Passes" and 599 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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