Tennis fever will sweep the nation again as Wimbledon gets underway on 20 June. Each year children are inspired to get out their rackets, but while some will enjoy tennis matches, others find it difficult to master essential skills such as:
* Handling a racket
* Keeping an eye on the ball
* Predicting ball trajectory.
Clubs can take a tip from the professionals. Tennis coaches organise games to promote skills but avoid the frustration young beginners feel when they struggle to return shots. Why not introduce some of these games?
R-A-C-K-E-T
You will need:
* Tennis ball
* Rackets
How to play:
1 One child is appointed 'it', and has the ball.
2 All other players are equipped with rackets.
3 Players form a large circle, standing far enough apart to safely swing their rackets. 'It' stands in the middle of the circle.
4 'It' calls out a random player's name and throws the ball to them.
5 If the player misses the ball they are 'given' the letter 'r'. The next time that player misses the ball they receive the letter 'a'. When a child has all the letters to spell 'racket', they are out.
Variations:
To increase difficulty, 'it' can use a racket rather than throwing the ball, and/or players can be required to hit the ball back to 'it'.
HOOPLA TENNIS
In this game children are required to hit balls through hoops to score points.
You will need:
* A racket
* Tennis balls
* Hoops
* Chalk
How to play:
1 Spilt the group into three equal teams, naming them 'game', 'set' and 'match'.
2 The 'game' team lines up at one end of the playground - they will bat first. A chalk spot marks where the batter must stand.
3 The 'set' team is equipped with hoops. Each member holds one out vertically. Playworkers position each child in an appropriate spot opposite the batter.
4 The 'match' team are ball boys and girls. One team member stands beside each hoop.
5 'Game' team players bat in turn, trying to hit balls through each hoop, scoring a point for each success.
6 The teams then swap roles, until all have batted. The team with the most points wins.
Variations:
To increase difficulty try moving targets - children slowly walk in a straight line with their hoops. Alternatively, have some hoops held horizontally, so the ball must drop through.
FOUR SQUARES
You will need: * Chalk
* Tennis ball
How to play:
1 Mark out a large square on the playground with chalk. Divide into four sections by drawing a cross. One player stands in each section, the other children line up nearby.
2 One player takes the ball, and serves by bouncing it into another player's section. That player must hit the ball with their hand into another section - they can return it or forward it on. The ball can be hit before it bounces, but it must not bounce more than once.
3 If a player misses the ball, they go to the back of the line, while the front child takes their place 'on court'. The new player serves and play continues. This is a fast-paced game as players change frequently.
Variations:
To make the game easier, use a larger ball. For difficulty, children may use rackets rather than their hands but this requires a large court.
PIGGY TEAM TENNIS
This version of 'piggy in the middle' is for up to ten players.
You will need:
* Rackets
* Coloured tennis balls
How to play
1 Children form pairs. One pair becomes the 'piggies'.
2 All other players have rackets, and each pair is given a ball of a different colour.
3 The children form two lines at least six metres apart, with pairs facing each other and space to swing rackets safely.
4 The piggies take their positions in the middle, ready to intercept balls.
5 Players simultaneously hit balls between them - they are not restricted to their own ball.
6 When a piggy obtains a ball the pair who lost it become the piggies - this is identified by the colour.
Miranda Walker is a playwork trainer who owns Playtime out-of-school club in Cullompton, Devon
