Activity summary
This activity is all about developing soft hands and control. The focus is on lunging to reach the ball, tapping it up gently, and recovering to the T. It’s a great way to build touch at the front of the court while practicing balance and positioning.
Activity setup
- This activity is done in pairs.
- Players stand facing one another about 2 m apart, one feeder with a ball, one hitter with a racket.
What to do:
- The feeder drops the ball randomly, anywhere in front of the hitter.
- The hitter lets the ball bounce once before lunging to tap it back so the feeder can catch at waist height.
- Swap roles after 1 minute.
Activity video
Watch this video to see the session in action.
Coaching Tips
- Relax the grip and use a gentle touch to lift the ball, using an open racket face to get height.
- Prepare low to get beneath the ball before lunging.
- Step into the lunge with knee aligned over the foot, keeping body upright.
- Engage the core to stay steady, avoiding overreaching.
- Track the ball closely and tap with the middle of the strings.
- Push off the front leg to recover to the T quickly.
Make it easier
- Do the activity standing in place, or add a target for the hitter to return to.
- Allow more bounces or use a bouncier ball.
Make it harder
- Ask the feeder to vary pace and direction of feeds for increased challenge.
- Add a target further from the feeder that the hitter must return to between shots.
- Challenge the hitter to tap the ball high enough for the feeder to catch above their head.
- Progress to feeder throwing against a wall and hitter returning off the wall after one bounce.
Safety
Remember, you can use the STEP framework—Space, Time, Equipment, and People—to adapt any activity, making it easier or more challenging to suit your players.
Always check there's enough space for everyone to participate safely, and ensure any under-18s are wearing protective goggles where appropriate.