Activity summary
Teams race slaloming sideways through cones while balancing the ball on their racket, developing speed, coordination, balance, and teamwork.
Activity setup
- Split into teams; rotate extra turns if uneven.
- Each player holds a racket; teams share one ball per cone.
- Arrange 4–5 cones evenly in a straight line.
What to do:
- Teams line up behind the first cone.
- Each player slaloms sideways through cones while balancing the ball on the racket.
- Tag the next teammate to continue the relay.
Activity video
Watch this video to see the session in action.
Coaching Tips
- Use a relaxed grip and open racket face; aim to tap straight up with the strings’ center.
- Keep taps gentle—hard or angled taps are harder to control.
- Forehand: knuckles down; backhand: knuckles up; practice switching forearm rotation smoothly.
- Maintain a short, controlled follow-through; stay balanced with soft knees and stable posture.
- Move lightly on the balls of your feet and engage your core; in lunges, align knee over foot and stay low.
Make it easier
- Use a sponge ball; allow bounces.
- Move the ball along the floor around cones (sweeping taps).
- Permit catching the ball by hand to reset balance.
Make it harder
- Turn into a timed race for fastest team.
- Vary cone layout—different distances and angles.
- Call out cone colors or numbers for random navigation.
Safety
Use the STEP framework—Space, Time, Equipment, and People—to adapt difficulty.
Ensure clear lanes around cones, and that under-18s wear protective goggles.