RED BALL COACH’S CURRICULUM Pre-Rally/Red Ball Practice and Play Plans

PRE-RALLY RED BALL COACH’S CURRICULUM Pre-Rally/Red Ball Practice And Play Plans

PRE-RALLY / RED BALL 03 / RED BALL 02 / RED BALL 01 DEAR COACH,

WELCOME TO NET GENERATION!

On behalf of the USTA, we thank you for supporting Net Generation. You are the key to growing the game, and together, we can shape the future of tennis. Net Generation isn’t just a new brand—it’s a comprehensive platform and development program for kids ages 5 through 18. By creating a singular platform for tennis that we all can rally behind, and through the support the USTA will offer along the way, we believe we can grow participation, instill the love of the game in future generations, and ensure that tennis remains a vibrant sport in our communities for years to come.

As U.S. Fed Cup and U.S. Davis Cup captains, former professional tennis players, and parents, we are Net Generation ambassadors because we believe this new approach will benefit the growth of youth tennis. We believe that no other sport is meeting the needs of today’s discerning parents, players, coaches, and community organizations quite like we will with Net Generation.

By registering and becoming an active part of Net Generation, you will get access to the very best in coaching curriculum, digital tools and resources that make teaching, coaching, planning and playing easier, and marketing resources and support to enhance your programs’ visibility. The USTA created Net Generation with you in mind and we hope to hear from you about what is working, what is not, and what materials, curriculum and tools will help you. After all, this is your brand and without your talents as a coach, teacher, and mentor, we cannot inspire kids to get in the game—and stay in it.

This coach’s manual is just one item under the Net Generation brand. It’s comprehensive, competency-based, collaborative, and packaged conveniently online with additional resources to help you customize your approach to teaching the sport you love.

Again, thank you for being a part of Net Generation! Together, we will shape the future of tennis!

Jim Courier Kathy Rinaldi U.S. Davis Cup Captain U.S. Fed Cup Captain Net Generation Ambassador Net Generation Ambassador

INTRODUCTION______4 RED BALL 2 1. Rally With My Partner______110 2. Watch Me Control The Ball______116 PRE-RALLY 3. I Can Serve; Show Me Your Return!____ 122 1. Meet The Ball______11 4. Let’s Go To Net!______127 2. Meet My Racquet______18 5. I Can Serve Where I Want______132 3. Control The Ball And Racquet______25 6. Let’s Go To Net … Again!______137 4. Forehands And Backhands______33 7. Playing From The Baseline______142 5. Watch Me Rally______38 8. Let’s Play! ______148 6. Rally With My Partner______44 7. Serve And Rally______51 8. Tennis Olympics ______58 RED BALL 1 1. Rally With My Partner______155 2. How Do You Hit Topspin?______159 RED BALL 3 3. I Can Slice______167 1. Rally My Forehand______64 4. Rally Games______174 2. Rally My Backhand______70 5. Spin My Serve______179 3. Rally My Forehand And Backhand_____ 75 6. Up In The Air ______185 4. I Can Serve ______79 7. Groundstrokes, Volleys, Overheads 5. Rally With My Partner______84 And Serves, Oh My!______190 6. Move It! ______89 8. Check Out My Skills ______196 7. Watch Me Volley______95 8. Game On!______102

Thank you for registering your to Net Generation. It is great to have you as part of the team where our focus is to have more kids playing tennis more often. Net Generation starts with all of us, and we’re here to usher in a new era of tennis in the United States.

Net Generation is the United States Tennis Association (USTA) official youth brand and development program that captures the imagination of parents and children ages 5 through 18. One that taps into the adaptability and creativity children and parents seek when choosing activities.

The following practice and play plans are unique to the USTA and have been developed and designed specifically for you, the coach. In doing so they are:

COMPREHENSIVE COMPETENCY COLLABORATIVE CONVENIENT BASED Covers the beginner Spells out the Includes nine levels Lets you select the Red Ball to the advanced skills and knowledge developed by the USTA method of delivery Green Ball player. each player should Community Tennis and that works best for have before moving Player Development you—printed manual, to the next ball divisions, USPTA and downloadable and court size. PTR, and subject matter PDFs, or coaches app. experts in the field from the U.S. and abroad.

Inside this manual you’ll find four levels of Practice and Play Plans—Pre-Rally, Red Ball 3, Red Ball 2, and Red Ball 1. Each plan consists of eight chapters. We recommend you use each Practice Plan twice before moving on to the next plan. When you finish all the plans, you can start from the beginning again or move certain players to the next level.

Before you get started, take some time to review the necessary equipment, structure of the plans and descriptions of the activities.

PLAYGROUND BALLS RED BALLS RACQUETS

Large, lightweight balls available Low-compression red felt and red 23 inches and smaller. at most big-box stores. foam.

BALL BUCKETS POLY-SPOTS AND BEANBAGS 40- to 60-quart plastic containers THROW-DOWN LINES (TDL) Can be made or purchased. or small plastic paint buckets. The large containers can hold For targets, recovery spots, court playground balls or red balls, and lines, group control, etc. the small buckets are ideal when players work in small groups and need a limited supply of red balls.

HULA HOOPS CONES NETS Available at most big-box stores. Nine-inch and half-cones. If you don’t have an 18-foot mini- net, which is designed specifically for a 36-foot court, you can attach things like tennis tape, rope or pendant banners to a standard net or to objects such as fences, teaching carts, hoppers, chairs/benches or cooler stands.

WARMUP Pre-Rally and Red Ball 3 start with a simple activity that gives players a chance to become engaged and the coach time to make final adjustments for the session. As players progress into Red Ball 2 and Red Ball 1, they start with a hitting warmup, during which they start hitting to get the entire body moving, and prepare for the theme of the day.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT Athletic: For Pre-Rally and Red Ball 3, these are fundamental movement skills that work on the ABCs (agility, balance and coordination), along with sending and receiving skills such as rolling, tossing (underhand), throwing (overhand) and catching. Red Ball 2 and Red Ball 1 focus on fundamental skills for the hands and feet for the ABCs, but add more tennis-specific activities. Tennis: Skills in Pre-Rally and Red Ball 3 chapters serve as building blocks for serve, rally and score. In Red Ball 2 and Red Ball 1 chapters, skills work on tactics, technique and movement.

GAMES Players are divided into teams to work on the skills covered in each practice.

CHARACTER (ALL LEVELS) Practices have a character theme that can apply to both tennis and life.

PLAY AT HOME (ALL LEVELS) After each lesson, players are assigned specific challenges to practice at home. These can be done independently or with a friend or family member.

TYPE Individual: Independent skill development. Team: Two or more players. Cooperative: Pairs or groups focused on improving skills together. Competitive: Scoring and declaring a winner. Hand-Feed: How the ball is introduced into the activity; can be by player or coach.

FOCUS Specific areas to work on.

SETUP Location of players, balls and equipment.

MISSION WHAT we want players to do, followed by bullets with specific instructions.

GOAL HOW we want players to execute the activity, generally related to a specific competency.

PROGRESSIONS Specific steps to increase difficulty of the skill/activity, to be used in subsequent practices or to handle mixed abilities.

PRE-RALLY PLANS ATPLANS AGLANCE • • • • • Total: 45minutes SAMPLE LESSON PLAN Lay thefoundations for serve, rally andscore. OBJECTIVE Play at Home:3minutes orless Team Challenge:10–12minutes Skills (athletic andtennis): 20–25minutes Character: 3minutes orless Warmup: 8–10minutes © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 9

PRE-RALLY Warmup Character Athletic Skills Development Tennis Skills Development Team Challenge Play at Home

01 Tag Variations Respect Ice-Cream Cones Walk the Dog Add ’Em Up Toss to Wall and Catch Meet the Ball Ice-Cream Cones w/Partner Walk the Dog w/Partner Bullseye

02 Self-Toss Respect Obstacle Course Balance the Egg Red Light/Green Light Bungees Meet My Racquet Pizza Delivery Balnce the Egg w/Partner Tennis Sandwich

Bungee Jump

Start Your Engines

03 Messy Bedroom Respect Monster Walks with Ball Walk the Dog Zigzag Touchdown Jacks Control the Ball and Racquet Big-Ball Tennis Walk the Dog Zigzag w/Partner Survivor

Jacks

04 Tic-Tac-Toe Respect Get Tall/Get Small Walk the Dog Backhands Touchdown with Backhand Jacks with Backhand Forehands and Backhands Closest to the Net Walk the Dog Backhands w/Partner Survivor with Backhand

Jacks with Backhand

Lobster Trap

06 Messy Bedroom Teamwork Rock-Paper-Scissors Keep it Moving Bucket Tap Wall or Partner Rally Rally with My Partner to a Target Lollipops

Hot Potato Hoopla

07 Silly Runs Teamwork Hopscotch Over/Under Serve Pyramids Rally with Family Serve and Rally or Friend Target Throws Color Call

08 Tic-Tac-Toe Teamwork Relay Races Tennis Olympics Tennis Olympics Bounce Master Tennis Olympics 10

PRE-RALLY “It” player“It” moves freely; othersmust side-shuffle, orvice versa. Progression Mission SIDE-SHUFFLE TAG 2. 1. Progressions • • • Mission WALKING TAG • • Setup TAG VARIATIONS I. red balls;beanbags,nine-inchcones, smallbuckets/containers, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: MEET THEBALL CHAPTER Rotate player “it” every minute orless. jumps,thencome backin. Star” Once tagged,move outsideplaying area, dofive repetitions ofafun exercise suchasdonkey kicksor“I’ma One player is“it.” Anyone moving must walk. Can usecones to establish playing area. Players spread outindefinedspaces with four to sixineacharea. In asmallerarea ofplay, player “it” walks; othersmove freely. player“It” moves freely (running,etc.); otherswalk. WARMUP —One player is“it.” Anyone moving must side-shuffle.

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission One player catches, othertosses. Setup ICE-CREAM CONES WITHPARTNER 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission Players spread outaround entire court, eachwithred ballandcone. Setup ICE-CREAM CONES III. • • RESPECT II. Bounce andcatch inupturnedcone. Toss ballupat least head level. Call outdifferent ice-cream flavor after each catch. Toss, bounce and catch ballinupturnedcone. Introduce yourself to your coach andnew tennis friends. Smile andsay hello. Toss withopposite hand. Catch withopposite hand. Increase heightanddistance once successful. How many scoops canyou catch inarow? Alternate between catching after bounce andcatching intheair. CHARACTER ATHLETIC SKILLS © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 12

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: WALK THEDOG IV. Need help? Usebigball. stop ballagain. Stop ballonpoly-spot withedgeofracquet, roll backto sidelineand Roll ballwithedgeofracquet to opposite sideline. Place poly-spots onopposite sideline, alignedwitheachplayer. Each player hasred ball,racquet andpoly-spot. Up to four players ononesideline(bothsidesof net). Let players pick. Zigzag to spotandbackby usingbothsidesofracquet. Use backhand. TENNIS SKILLS —Roll successfully withoutusingotherhand. Individual. Racquet skillswhilerolling. —Roll ballto poly-spot andreturn. WALK THEDOG © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com keep racquet steady. red felt ballinstead to along ground. Usea racquet whenrolling “stuck” against the Foam ballstend to get TEACHING TIP 13

PRE-RALLY V. V. 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: WALK THEDOGWITHPARTNER Need help? Usebigball. Partner stops ballwithracquet, repeats. to partner, andwalk backto starting sideline. Stop ballonpoly-spot, turnandsendballalongground back to opposite sideline. Start onsidelineandroll ballwithedgeofracquet Place poly-spot onbothsidelinesfor eachpair. Pairs spread outononesideline, two pairsoneachsideofcourt. Players inpairswithracquets andonered ball. Let players pick. Zigzag to spotusingbothsidesofracquet. Use forehands andbackhands. TEAM CHALLENGE —Send ballalongground withcontrol andhitpoly-spot. Cooperative, players inpairs. Racquet skillsandsendingwithdirection. —Roll ballto poly-spot andsendbackonground.

© 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com follow-through. using anabbreviated to apartner/target gently pushingtheball the racquet, they’re “sending” theballwith time. When players are the racquet theentire keep theballagainst racquet, thegoalisto with theedgeof along theground When rolling theball TEACHING TIP 14

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions aiming for different targets. Goal • • • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: ADD ’EMUP Need help? Roll withhand. or play by timeandgofor a“teambest.” Add upscores asateam to seeifthey cangetto acertain number, Change positionsafter acertain numberofhits. each timethey hitone. Players aimat cones/spots infront ofthemandscore points a supplyofballsfor eachplayer. Place TDLsonbaselineto indicate players’ positions,with Cones shouldbenumbered; poly-spots willhave acolor. Align cones orpoly-spots sixto eightfeet insidebaseline. Four to eightplayers perhalf-court. Drop-hit to cones/spots. Use backhandsandforehands. Coach orplayer callsoutcolor/number. —Make adjustments withfeet andracquet anglewhen Individual,team. Sendingwithdirection. —Hit cones/spots by rolling ballwithracquet. ADD’EMUP

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: BULLSEYE Need help? Usehandsto roll. or play by timeandgofor a“teambest.” Add upteams’ scores to seeifthey cangetto acertain number, Create scoring system for different target areas. toward service-box target. Take turnstappingballwithracquet (palmforward) from baseline center ofsmalltarget. inside service box (abouthalfthesize ofbox). Place apoly-spot in Service box is“bigtarget.” UseTDLsto create another“small target” Each team hassupplyofred felt balls. Two teams ofthree to four oneachsideofnet. Drop-hit to targets. Use backhandsandforehands. Start furtherbehindbaseline. —Control racquet withlimited motion. Individual,team activity. Sendingwithdirection. —Send ballalongground andtryto hitbullseye. BULLSEYE

to getto seven. upside down. Goalis point scored, turncone of thecourt. For each in alineononeside put seven half-cones To helpwithscoring, TEACHING TIP 16

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions Play withred ballagainst garage doororany solidwall. Setup TOSS TO WALL ANDCATCH VI. Play withafriendandalternate. Start withthrows, thentosses. Toss ballto wall, letbounce, catch withtwo handsorone. PLAY AT HOME © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com to want to play more! anything, inspire them brief, andmore than to keep instructions covered inpractice. Try that hasalready been usually beanactivity “Play at Home”will TEACHING TIP 17

PRE-RALLY • • RESPECT II. 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission • • Setup SELF-TOSS I. orange balls;beanbags,nine-inchcones, half-cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: MEET MYRACQUET CHAPTER Be safe onthecourt by huggingracquet whencoach istalking. Raise your handto speak. Let bounce andcatch withbothhands. Toss ballwithonehand(palmup) above headlevel. Players spread outaround court. Each player hasonered ball. Toss andcatch withonehand(usingorange ball). Toss furtheraway andcatch withbothhands. Toss higherandcatch withbothhands. WARMUP CHARACTER 02 Mini-net, cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 19and21-inchracquets; playground balls,red ballsand © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com catching one-handed, Use orange ballswhen TEACHING TIP one hand. difficult to catch with because red ballsare 18

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: 4. 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission • • Setup OBSTACLE COURSE III. Change movement after eachplayer hasgonetwice. reaches second cone. Proceed from cone to cone usingdifferent movements. Next player goeswhenprevious player Three to four players persquare. Make one12x12-foot square incenter ofcourt oneachsideofnet,usingfour cones. in atwisting motion, keeping shouldersasstill aspossible, andmove toward next cone. Bottle caps:Beginwithfeet andkneestogether, armsoutto side. Jumpandrotate sideto side Single-leg hop:Hopto next cone, landingquietly. side-shuffle to next cone. Side-shuffle: Face eitherinsideoroutsideofsquare. Beginninginan athletic stance, Bear crawl: Crawl onhandsandfeet. Stay low anddon’tletkneestouch ground. ATHLETIC SKILLS OBSTACLE COURSE © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: BALANCE THEEGG IV. • • • Guidelines • • Mission Players spread outaround play area holdingapoly-spot (pizza)inpalmofhand. Setup PIZZA DELIVERY Need help? Usefree handto help, orusebigball. Starting onsideline, balance ballincenter ofstrings andwalk to opposite sidelineandback. Each player hasracquet andred ball. Up to four players ononesideline(bothsidesofnet). Re-entry into gamecanbeat coach’s discretion. such asdonkey jumps. kicksor“I’maStar” Dropped pizza? Move to sidelinesto cheeronremaining players orperform five repetitions offun exercise Walk fast withoutrunning. Try to knockdown otherplayers’ pizza(gently!) orchasethemcausingpizzato drop. Move around play area withoutdropping pizza. Do bungeeswhilewalking to opposite sidelineandback. Use red light/green lightformat. Use bothsidesofracquet (palmup, thenknucklesup). TENNIS SKILLS —Move to sidelineandbackwithoutballtouching frame. Individual. Racquet skills andbalance. —Balance ballonracquet face withoutusinghands. © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 20

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: BALANCE THEEGGWITHPARTNER Need help? Useabeanbagorbigball. Pass ballto partner, whowillrepeat. Balance ballonstrings whilewalking to opposite sideline andback. Three pairsoneachsideofnet. Players inpairs,withracquets andred ball. with ballonstrings. Do bungeesto opposite sidelineandback,pass to partner Use red light/green lightformat. Balance ballknucklesup. —Pass ballto partnerwithoutusingfree hand. Cooperative, players inpairs. Racquet skillsandbalance. —Balance ballonstrings, palmup, whilewalking.

© 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com hands. racquet orusetwo to “choke up”onthe encouraging them smaller racquet before have themusea grip. Ifthisisdifficult, at thebottom ofthe to holdtheracquet Encourage players TEACHING TIP 21

PRE-RALLY Up to four players on onesideline(bothsidesofnet),eachwithracquet andred ball. Setup Focus: Type: START YOUR ENGINES ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission Up to four players ononesideline(bothsidesof net),eachwithracquet andred ball. Setup Focus: Type: BUNGEE JUMP Reposition ballincenter, usingfree handifnecessary. Catch ballonstrings after bounce. Tilt racquet to sidesoballfalls off. With palmup, place ballincenter ofstrings. Tap ballupcontinuously. Balance ballknucklesup. Hold ballonstrings for less andless time. —With handat bottom ofgrip, keep racquet steady andbalance ballonstrings. Individual. Individual. Racquet skillswithbounce. Racquet skillswithbounce. —Balance ballonstrings after bounce. BUNGEEJUMP © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 22

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • Mission who isadistance away. Players withracquets andred ball(or abeanbagifthey struggle) spread outonsidelinefacing coach, Setup Focus: Type: RED LIGHT/GREENLIGHT V. 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • Mission touch ball. Players gobackto starting lineifthey’re moving whencoach callsred light,ballfalls off racquet orthey toward coach; onred light,stop. Balance ballonstrings palmup. Coach callsouteither“green or“red light” light.” Ongreen light, move Walk to opposite sidelineandbackwithballbalanced onstrings. Perform two successful bungeejumpsfrom sideline. On red light,doabungee. Walk backward. Balance ballknucklesup. Zigzag bungees. Perform bungeescontinuously sidelineto sideline. Do three bungees,thenfour, andwalk to opposite sidelineandback. TEAM CHALLENGE —Tilt racquet down whenmoving forward, backwhenstopping. —Complete entire activitywithoutusingfree hand. Individual. Racquet skills andbalance. —Keep ballincenter ofstrings whilemoving andstopping. —Mix bungeejumps,balance onstrings, andmovement. © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Setup BUNGEES VI. Goal • • • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: TENNIS SANDWICH Can dowithpartnerby alternating eachbungee. Play withfoam ballondriveway orany flat surface. If teams drop sandwich,rebuild from samespotandcontinue. Players continue addingto sandwichinthismanner. top ofsameball,andthenplaces anotherballonstrings. Second player holdsracquet palmdown andplaces racquet on First player holdsracquet palmupandplaces ballonstrings. Players start onsideline. Teams ofthree to five. Each player hasracquet andred ball. Tap ballupcontinuously. Use bothsidesofracquet (palmup, thenknucklesup). Hold ballonstrings for less andless time. —Work together asateam andcommunicate. PLAY AT HOME Team activity. Racquet skillsandbalance. —Make itto sidelineandbackwithoutdropping sandwich.

PRE-RALLY • • • Mission • • Setup MESSY BEDROOM I. playground ballsandred balls;cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: & RACQUET CONTROL THEBALL CHAPTER Throw asmany aspossible inoneminute. Players throw ballsoneat atimeover net. Coach tipsover bucket ofballs. opposite fence) withbucket ofred balls. Players ononesideofnet(preferably side Teams ofsixto eight,oneteam percourt. WARMUP

03 Mini-net, cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 19and21-inchracquets;

• 3. 2. 1. Progressions • count how many they threw. Players pickupballsfrom othersideand Do itagainandtryto beat team record. Play on78-foot court. Throw into service box. Throw withnon-dominant hand.

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission • • Setup MONSTER WALKS WITHBALL III. • • RESPECT II. Partner catches ball,repeats. Turn around androll ballbackto partner. Carry ballat chest withbothhandsandlunge-walk (monster walk) to opposite sideline. Two orthree pairs,starting onsideline(bothsidesofnet). Players inpairswithonebigball. coach istalking. Keep your eyes andearsopenwhen Listen to your coach. After eachlunge, bounce balloffground andcatch. After eachlunge, rotate ballleftandright. Carry ballinbothhandsabove head. CHARACTER ATHLETIC SKILLS

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission • • • Setup BIG-BALL TENNIS Partner letsballbounce, catches withtwo hands,thentosses backto partner. Toss ballwithbothhandsto box partner’s straight ahead. Position player ineachsquare. Set upfour squares oneachsideofnetusing existing linesandTDLs. Two pairsoneachsideofnet,withonebigball. Catch ballinfront, thento sideofbody. Toss straight ahead,thencrosscourt. Toss from onesideofbody, thentheother. © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 27

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: WALK THEDOGZIGZAG IV. Next player goeswhenfirst player reaches second spot. poly-spot. Getto allfour spots. Roll ballto first poly-spot with forehand (palm forward), stop ballonspotwith racquet, andhead to next On eachsideofnet,setuponeortwo zigzagpatterns usingfour poly-spots for eachpattern. Each player hasracquet andred ball.Maximumfour players oneachsideofnet. Do bungeesoneachspot. Use backhand. TENNIS SKILLS —Make itthrough allfour spotswithoutfree handorfeet touching ball. Individual.

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • Mission Players spread outaround court, eachwithracquet andred ball. Setup Focus: Type: JACKS 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: WALK THEDOGZIGZAG WITHPARTNER Toss, bounce, tapuptwice, andcall“Twosies.” Continue untilyou reach “Fivesies,” orfive ina row. Toss ballupandletbounce, tapupwithracquet (palmup) once, andcatch withfree hand;call“Onesies.” Partner stops ballwithracquet andrepeats sequence. After fourth poly-spot, player turnsaround andsendsballbackto partneralongground. First player rolls ballto allfour poly-spots withforehand. Players inpairs(two pairsperhalf-court) withonered ballbetween them. Same asindividualskill. Alternate forehands andbackhands. Use backhand. Rally balluntilyou miss. Drop andhitbackto partner. Do bungeesoneachspot. Use backhand. —Control ballwhilestaying inasmallarea. —Keep ballagainst racquet entire timethrough four spotsandsendbackaccurately to partner. Individual. Cooperative, players inpairs. Racquet skillsandchangingdirection. Directing ballafter bounce. —Keep rally goingafter bounce. —Roll ballto allfour spotsandsendbackto partner. © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 29

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: • • Mission • • • • • Setup Focus: Type: TOUCHDOWN V. Partner stops ballwithracquet androlls back. Roll ballbetween cones usingforehand. opposite apartner. Start aboutfour feet from cones, between sidelines. Position baselinecones halfway baseline andnet. Position sidelinecones halfway between apart, withcourt lineincenter oftwo cones. red ballandtwo cones. Position cones four feet Each player hasracquet; eachpairhasone each sidelineandoneonbaseline. Three pairsoneachsideofnet—one on TEAM CHALLENGE Cooperative, players inpairs. Sendingwithdirection. —Roll ballbetween cones undercontrol. TOUCHDOWN

3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Scoring Need help? Move closerandwidengoal. Players yell “Touchdown” whenthey getto seven. which counts asonepoint. When ballrolls through cones, it’s afieldgoal, Use backhand. players reach seven. Continue rally withoutstopping balluntil Move furtherbackandnarrow goal. —Keep racquet onedgethroughout motion. © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com winners andlosers. games where there are opposed to settingup the emphasis,as and that shouldbe Kids love achallenge skills andhaving fun. is aboutdeveloping At thisstage, tennis TEACHING TIP

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Guidelines: • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: SURVIVOR Hitter whoseballwas caughtgoesoutto sea. Catching ballintheairgets everyone backonto island. Catch ballononebounce to getbackonto island. Miss two andgo“out to sea”(other sideofnet). Get at least oneoutoftwo over netincourt to stay on“island.” A player orhelperfor eachlineis“ballmachine,” whogentlytosses two forehands to eachplayer. Teams lineupbehindservice lineonsamesideofnet. Use onelarge container ofred ballsperteam. Two teams ofthree orfour percourt. Add movement. Hit to specificarea of court. Must make bothshots. —Control ballover netwithasimpleliftingmotion. Individual. Controlling ballover net. —Hit forehands over netinto court. SURVIVOR © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 31

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Setup JACKS VI. Can play withpartnerby alternating eachjack. Same asTennis Skillsactivitybutcanplay withfoam ballondriveway orany flat surface. Alternate forehands andbackhands. Use backhand. Rally untilyou miss. PLAY AT HOME © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 32

PRE-RALLY III. Say you” “thank to your coaches, parents andteammates. RESPECT II. • • Mission • • • Setup TIC-TAC-TOE I. cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: FOREHANDS &BACKHANDS CHAPTER First team to complete three inarow ofsameobjectwins. Relay race to grid,place object inspot,andtagnext player onteam. Divide into teams ofthree to five, two teams pergrid. Use cones, beanbags,etc., asX’s andO’s. Create large tic-tac-toe gridoneachsideofcourt withexisting linesandTDLs. WARMUP CHARACTER ATHLETIC SKILLS 04 Mini-net,cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 19and21-inchracquets; playground ballsandred balls; © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 33

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission Players, each withred ball,spread outacross net,facing baseline. Setup CLOSEST TO THENET ILLUSTRATION: 2. 1. Progressions • • • Mission Players spread outaround court. Setup GET TALL/GET SMALL Player whose ballcomes closest to netwithouttouching itwins. Run to baselineon coach’s command, turnaround, androll balltoward net. During drop, handsmove aggressively from over headto past hips. On coach’s command, drop into athletic stance. Stand ontiptoes witharmsabove headattempting to getastallpossible. Set uptargets (cones, poly-spots) andseewhocan getclosest. Change how ballisrolled toward net—onehandortwo, between legs. Move to baselineindifferent ways—run, skip, jump, hop, lunge. Perform activityononeleg,thenswitch legs. From “small” position,leapinto theair, reaching ashighpossible, position. thenlandin“tall” GET TALL/GET SMALL © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 34

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: WALK THEDOGBACKHANDS WITHPARTNER 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: WALK THEDOGZIGZAG BACKHANDS IV. Partner stops ballwithracquet, thenrepeats sequence. After fourth poly-spot, turnandsendballbackto partneralongground andwalk backto sideline. Roll ballto allfour poly-spots withbackhand. Players inpairs(two pairsperhalf-court) withoneballbetween them. Same asindividualactivity. Next player goeswhenfirst player reaches second spot. poly-spot. Getto allfour spots. Roll ballto first poly-spot withbackhand(knuckles forward), stop ballonspotwith racquet, andhead to next On eachsideofnet,setuponeortwo zigzagpatterns usingfour poly-spots for eachpattern. Maximum four players oneachsideofnet,withracquet andred ball. Drop-hit backto partner. Do bungeesoneachspot. Alternate forehands andbackhands. Do bungeesoneachspot. Alternate forehand to onespot,backhandto next. TENNIS SKILLS —Keep ballagainst racquet entire timethrough four spotsandsendbackaccurately to partner. —Make itthrough allfour spotswithoutfree handorfeet touching ball. Individual. Cooperative, players inpairs. Racquet skills andchangingdirections. Racquet skillsandchangingdirection. —Roll ballto allfour spotsandsendbackto partner. —Roll ballto eachspot,usingfeet to turnbodyandracquet. © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 35

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Scoring • • Mission • • • • • • Setup Focus: Type: TOUCHDOWN WITHBACKHAND V. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • Mission Players spread outaround court, eachwithred ballandracquet. Setup Focus: Type: JACKS WITHBACKHAND Need help? Move closer andwidengoal. Players yell “Touchdown” whenthey getto seven. When ballrolls through cones, it’s afieldgoal,which counts asonepoint. Partner stops ballwithracquet androlls backusingbackhand. Roll ballbetween cones usingbackhand. Start aboutfour feet from cones, opposite apartner. Position baselinecones halfway between sidelines. Position sidelinecones halfway between baselineandnet. Position cones four feet apart,withcourt lineincenter oftwo cones. Each player hasracquet; pairshave onered ballandtwo cones. and oneonbaseline. Three pairsoneachsideofnet—onesideline Tap ituptwice; call“Twosies,” andsoonuntilyou reach “Fivesies,” orfive ina row. Toss ballupandletbounce, tapupwithracquet (knucklesup) once andcatch withfree hand;call“Onesies.” Use forehands, thenbackhands. Pairs continue rally withoutstopping balluntilthey reach seven. Move furtherbackand narrow goal. Alternate forehands andbackhands. Rally balluntilyou miss. TEAM CHALLENGE —Keep racquet onedgethroughout motion. —Control ballwhilestaying insmallarea. Cooperative, players inpairs. Individual. Sendingwithdirection. Directing ballafter bounce. —Keep rally goingafter bounce. —Roll ballbetween cones undercontrol.

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Setup JACKS WITHBACKHAND VI. 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Guidelines: • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: SURVIVOR WITHBACKHAND Can play withpartnerby alternating each jack. Play withfoam ballondriveway orany flat surface. Hitter whoseballwas caughtgoesoutto sea. Catching ballintheairgets everyone backonto island. Catch ballononebounce to getbackonto island. Miss two andgo“out to sea”(other sideofnet). Get at least oneoutoftwo over netincourt to stay on“island.” A player orhelperfor eachlineis“ballmachine,” whogentlytosses two forehands to eachplayer. Teams lineupbehindservice lineonsamesideofnet. Use onelarge container ofred ballsperteam. Two teams ofthree orfour percourt. Alternate forehands andbackhands. Use backhands,thenforehands. Rally balluntilyou miss. Use forehand orbackhand. Hit to specificarea of court. Must make bothshots. —Control ballover netwithasimpleliftingmotion. PLAY AT HOME Individual. Controlling ballover net. —Hit backhandsover netinto court. © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 37

PRE-RALLY Be nice to your teammates. RESPECT II. or vice versa. player“It” moves freely, othersmust side-shuffle, Progression Mission SIDE-SHUFFLE TAG 2. 1. Progressions • • • Mission SKIP TAG • • Setup TAG VARIATIONS I. cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: WATCH MERALLY CHAPTER Rotate player “it” every minute orless. jumps), thencome“I’m aStar” backin. Once tagged,move outsideboundaries,dofive repetitions ofafun exercise (such asdonkey kicksor One player is“it.” Anyone moving must skip. Can usecones to establish playing area. Players spread outindefinedspaces with four to sixineacharea. In asmallerarea ofplay, player “it” walks; othersmove freely. Allow player “it” to move freely. WARMUP CHARACTER —One player is“it.” Anyone moving must side-shuffle. 05 Mini-net, cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 19and21-inchracquets, playground ballsandred balls;

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: • • • Mission • • • Setup PARTNER DROP 3. 2. 1. Progressions • Mission Players stand two to three steps behindbaselineorsideline. Setup JUMP TO THELINE III. switch roles. After four successful catches oneachside, Drop oneball;partner catches after bounce. a “V”position,withpalmsdown. Hold bothballsstraight outat shoulderlevel in Start aboutfour feet apart. One player hastwo balls;partnercatches. Players inpairsspread outaround court. Jump ascloseto lineaspossible oncoach’s command, withoutgoingover ortouching linewithtoes. Jump sideways over line. Jump sideways closeto line. Jump over linewithheelsasclosepossible. ATHLETIC SKILLS PARTNER DROP

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission Players spread outaround court, eachwithred ballandracquet. Setup Focus: Type: JACKS FLIPS 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission Up to four players ononesideline(bothsidesof net),eachwithracquet andred ball. Setup Focus: Type: BUNGEE FLIPS IV. Need help? Stick with“Onesies.” For “Twosies,” tapupforehand, backhand,forehand, backhand,thencatch. Goalisto getto “Fivesies.” catch withfree hand,andcall“Onesies.” Toss ballupandletbounce, tapupwithracquet onforehand side, letbounce, tapuponbackhandside, At first, canusefree hand for help. Continue to alternate sidesofracquet after eachbounce. Let ballbounce andthencatch andbalance onstrings withknucklesup(backhand). With palmup, place ballincenter ofstrings, tiltracquet to sideto letitfall off. Play withapartner, alternating hits. Create smallerspace withboundaries,andcount onlyifballlandswithinspace. Rally balluntilyou miss, alternating forehands andbackhands. Add movement. Tap ballupcontinuously, alternating between forehand andbackhand. Hold ballonstrings for less andless time. TENNIS SKILLS —Control ballwhilestaying insmallarea. —Keep samegripfor palmupandknuckles(close to continental). Individual. Individual. Directing ballafter bounce. Racquet skillswithbounce. —Balance ballonstrings after bounce. —Keep rally goingafter bounce. © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 40

PRE-RALLY V. V. ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: LOBSTER TRAP Complete four andswitch roles. Lobster setsballonground withracquets androlls itbackto feeder usingforehand. Feeder tosses ball;lobster traps itbetween racquets after bounce. hasaracquetother (“lobster”) ineachhand. Partners stand sixto eightfeet apart;one(feeder) hasred balland Players inpairswithtwo racquets andred ball. Make lobster move. Lobster sendsballbackwithadrop-hit. Feeder tosses andlobster receives ballonbothsidesofbody. TEAM CHALLENGE —Trap ballat sideofbodyjust like agroundstroke. Cooperative, players inpairs. Sending andreceiving indifferent directions. —Catch ballbetween bothracquets after bounce. LOBSTER TRAP

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • • • Mission • • • • Setup Focus: Type: BATTLE SPOTS to goover orundernet(whenusingtape/rope). Need help? Shorten distance, addbigger/more targets, allow ball Start anew gameandtryfor new record. seven points(withvisualscoring). See how many pointspairscangetintwo minutes orplay to Score apointeachtimeteam hitstarget. Partner traps ballanddrop-hits back,attempting to hittargets. drop-hitting aforehand over net. Start onservice lineandattempt to targets hitpartner’s by Position poly-spots hulahoops andhalf-cones (upsidedown) oneachsideofnetinacluster. Players start across netfrom each otherusingservice box asboundary. Each player hasracquet; onered ballperpair. Multiplepoly-spots hula hoopsandcones serve astargets. Players inpairs,nomore thantwo pairspercourt. Rally backandforth. Use fewer targets. Move furtherback. —Extend upandoutinproper direction. Competitive, team. Drop-hit withdirection. —Hit asmany targets aspossible. BATTLE SPOTS

© 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com using sometypeof For thislevel ofplay, TEACHING TIP to bemore successful. rope willallow them net, andusingtape/ to hittheballover the Many kidswillstruggle for anetispreferable. rope orcautiontape

PRE-RALLY Rally balluntilyou miss, alternating forehands andbackhands. Progression • • Setup JACKS FLIPS VI. Can play withpartnerby alternating eachjack. Play withfoam ballondriveway orany flat surface. PLAY AT HOME © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 43

PRE-RALLY • • TEAMWORK II. • • • • • Mission • • Setup MESSY BEDROOM I. orange balls;cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: RALLY WITHMYPARTNER CHAPTER Help your partner. Be ateam player. Do itagainandtryto beat team record. Players pickupballsfrom othersideandcount how many they threw. Throw asmany aspossible inoneminute. Players throw ballsoneat atimeover net. Coach tipsover bucket ofballs. fence) withbucket ofred balls. Players ononesideofnet(preferably sideopposite Teams ofsixto eight,oneteam percourt. WARMUP CHARACTER 06 Mini-net,cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 19and21-inchracquets; playground balls,red ballsand

PRE-RALLY with onehand. Note: Useorange ball,becausered ballisdifficult to catch 2. 1. Progressions • • • • Mission • • Setup HOT POTATO 4. 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission • • Setup OBSTACLE COURSE III. Switch sidesandhandsat intervals. without tossing far. Act asifballis“hotpotato” you must getridofquickly with lefthand. and catches withrighthandandothertosses andcatches Goal isto keep ballononesideofbody, sooneplayer tosses before catching. Toss orange ballgentlybackandforth, lettingitbounce Stand aboutfour feet apartfacing eachother. Pairs withorange ball,spread outaround court. After eachplayer hasgonetwice, changemovement. second cone. Proceed from cone to cone usingdifferent movements. Next player goeswhenprevious player reaches Three orfour players persquare. Using four cones, create one12x12-foot square incenter ofcourt oneachsideofnet. Take astep backafter four catches each. After four successful catches each,switch sidesandhands. Circle thecone—starting from theoutside, circle cone andrunto next one. Side-shuffle—alternate facinginsideandoutsideofsquare. Walk backward. Skip forward. ATHLETIC SKILLS

© 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com specific numbergoals. successful, start adding little, andonce they’re them experiment a a numbergoal.Let advisable to have skill, it’s notalways working onanew When players are TEACHING TIP 45

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: KEEP ITMOVING IV. Let players setgoalfor numberofrallies. Move ballwithoutover-hitting. Commence acooperative rolling rally. Players markcourt boundariesusingTDLs. Position partnersopposite each otherwithservice lineactingasnet. Two orthree pairsoneachsideofnet. Forehands onlyorbackhandsonly. Coach rotates partnersfollowing adesignated timeperiod. Players changesize andshapeofcourt eachtimethey changepartners. TENNIS SKILLS —Move ballwithinboundariesusingasimplemotion. Cooperative, players inpairs. Rallyfor consistency. —Rally onground withpartner. KEEP ITMOVING © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 46

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: LOLLIPOPS Need help? Roll withhand. ball to that spot. Partner moves to that spot,stops ballwithracquet, callsoutacolorspotandrolls ofpartner’s One player callsoutcolor spotandrolls ofpartner’s ballto that spot. Partners stand five to six feet apartwithtwo spotsofdifferent colorsin front ofeachthem. Pairs spread around court, three orfour perside. Rally to targets. Drop-hit to targets andtrap. Start withforehands, thenswitch to backhands. —Be accurate by extending handtoward target. Cooperative, players inpairs. Changeofdirection. —Roll ballindifferent directions. LOLLIPOPS © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • • • Setup Focus: Type: HOOPLA Need help? Toss ballinto hoop. Gently drop-hit ballinto hoop. Turn sideways, holdballinnon-dominanthandwithpalmdown. Partner stands against fence holdinghoopwithbothhands,outto side. Hitters start sixto eightfeet from fence, spread outfor safety. One player isdrop-hitter, otherholdshulahoop. Position pairsaround court, next to fence. Hold hoopabove head. Alternate forehands andbackhands. Start sixfeet away andincrease distance every four successful hits. —Hit four ballsinto hoopandswitch roles. Cooperative, players inpairs. Forehand direction. —Drop-hit ballinto hoop. HOOPLA

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: Team that sinksmost baskets wins. With larger groups, have oneteam at one“bucket station” andanotherat asecond. Give eachplayer five balls. Variation withCompetition 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: BUCKET TAP V. Need help? Toss into container. After allballsare gone, have a30-second scramble witheachplayer pickingupfour balls. Pair players upto seewhichteam cansinkthemost balls. three feet from buckets. This iswhere players willstand. Surround large container withsmallerbuckets, eachcontaining eightto 10balls.Place poly-spots about bouncing out. Place alarge bucket/cart midcourt withatowel, afew ballsorbeanbagsat the bottom to keep ballsfrom Alternate forehand andbackhanddrop-hits. Place center bucket onacanorbox soplayers work onmore heightandcontrol. TEAM CHALLENGE —Create appropriate arc by usinganopenracquet face andliftingmotion. Cooperative, teams.

Drop-hit for heightanddepth. —Drop-hit ballsinto bigbucket. BUCKET TAP

PRE-RALLY 2. 1. Progressions • • Setup WALL ORPARTNER RALLY VI. Drop-hit to wall orpartner, thenrally backandforth. Can play withpartneror against wall orany flat surface. Hit forehands andbackhands,then alternate. See how many consecutive ballsyou canrally by yourself orwithpartner. PLAY AT HOME © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 50

PRE-RALLY • • TEAMWORK II. better coordination ofarmsandlegs. Note: Over time, players willfeel what it’s like to runwith 4. 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • • Mission Set upanarea approximately 60feet longwhere players canruninastraight line. Setup SILLY RUNS I. cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: SERVE &RALLY CHAPTER Share equipment. Take turns. For second round, runfulldistance ofdesignated area. For first round, have players runinplace for eachprogression. Have players runindifferent manners. Fast armsandfast legs(armsmoving sideto side). Fast legsandslow arms. Fast arms(good arms) andslow legs. “Crazy” armsandslow legs. WARMUP CHARACTER 07 Mini-net, cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 19and21-inchracquets, playground ballsandred balls;

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • • Mission • • • Setup HOPSCOTCH III. Upon return, pickupmarker balancingononeleg,hopback,andgive marker to coach. Player hopsthrough squares andover marked square. Place amarker inasquare for eachplayer. Create ahopscotch area for every four to sixplayers. Use beanbagorcone asmarker. Use anagilityladder, cones orchalkto create traditional ornon-traditional hopscotch playing area. Change shapesofsquares (circles, for example), addislandsplayers have to jumpover. Let players place marker. Place marker insquare one. Aseachplayer issuccessful, move to square two, andsoon. ATHLETIC SKILLS HOPSCOTCH CHALK AGILITY LADDER © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 52

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • • • • Mission • • • • Setup TARGET THROWS See how many targets players canhitinoneminute, orhow longittakes to getto acertain numberofpoints. Players whohitatarget runandgrab it,andadditto adesignated scoring area for theirteam. Once everyone hasthrown, eachplayer retrieves ballandthrows from otherside(deuce/ad). Next players come upandthrow. One player from deuce court andonefrom adthrow diagonallyover netat targets. Try to have anequal numberoftargets inevery service box. Place cones, poly-spots hulahoopsandvarious targets insideservice boxes. Players stand onbaselinewithonered balleach. Up to four players oneachsideofnetplaying asateam. Move players furtherbehindbaseline. Place targets infront halfofservice box. Instead ofgrabbing atarget after it’s hit,count itasapointandaddto team total. TARGET THROWS © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 53

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: OVER/UNDER IV. to next progression. After four successful exchanges, switch roles, thenmove on down to catch andtosses backover netwithbothhands. Player rolls bigballundernetwithbothhands.Partner bends Pairs start across netfrom eachotherabouteightfeet apart. Use cautiontapeorany typeofrope for net. Up to three pairspercourt withonebigballperpair. One player rolls, partnerpicksupanddrop-hits over net. Use red ball. Roll/toss straight ahead,thendiagonally. TENNIS SKILLS —Rotate bodyfrom turnedto openpositionwhenthrowing bigball. Cooperative, players inpairs. Changing heightofball. —Roll ballundernetandreturn over net.

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: COLOR CALL Server callsoutcolor ofbox returner shouldtoss to. Server tosses into service box; returner tosses back. returner’s sides(i.e., red spotondeuce side, green onadside). adifferent-coloredPut spotineachservice box onbothserver’s and server willbeat service lineorcloser, notbaseline. Players setupinstandard serve andreturn positions.For success, Returner traps anddrop-hits back. Drop-hit for serve. Throw for serve andtoss for return. —Toss by extending armandopeninguphandinproper direction. Cooperative, players inpairs. Serve andreturn direction. —Return ballto designated side. COLOR CALL

PRE-RALLY ILLUSTRATION: 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: SERVE PYRAMIDS V. Need help? Have server toss. Switch roles after completing pyramid. After complete rotation switch sidesofcourt. For every successful serve andreturn, addaballto pyramid. Server throws red ballinto box; returner catches andtosses back. build apyramid. Players have adesignated spot(hulahoop, etc.) asafe distance off to sideof court where they will Two pairspercourt, one server andonereturner. Throw serve andreturn after bounce. Server drop-hits; returner traps anddrop-hits back. TEAM CHALLENGE —Complete four sequences andswitch sides. Cooperative, players inpairs. Throw withdirection. —Complete serve-and-return sequences. SERVE PYRAMIDS © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

PRE-RALLY 3. 2. 1. Progressions A driveway orany flat surface. Setup RALLY WITHFAMILY ORFRIEND VI. Hit after bounce. Drop-hit andtrap. Rally onground. PLAY AT HOME

PRE-RALLY • • Setup RELAY RACES III. • • TEAMWORK II. • • • Mission • • • Setup TIC-TAC-TOE I. cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: TENNIS OLYMPICS CHAPTER Each team linesupbehindsideline. Two teams offour to sixoneach sideofnet. Give highfives! Encourage teammates duringgames. First team to complete three inarow wins. Relay race to grid,place object down, andreturn to tagnext player onteam. Two teams compete to befirst to complete tic-tac-toe grid. Divide into teams ofthree to five withtwo teams for eachtic-tac-toe grid. Use cones, beanbags,etc., asX’s andO’s. Coach creates large tic-tac-toe gridinsideeachcourt usingexisting linesandTDLs. WARMUP CHARACTER ATHLETIC SKILLS 08 Mini-net,cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 19and21-inchracquets, playground ballsandred balls; © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 58

PRE-RALLY • • Team Activities (save for last) • • Partner Activities • • • Individual Activities EXAMPLES OFACTIVITIES WITHPOINTS: • • • Rules andScoring • • • • Mission Teams offour to sixwithplayers ofalllevels oneachteam. Work withplayers to selectateam name. Setup TENNIS OLYMPICS IV. &V. 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission Balance-the-Egg Relays—four players perteam (each player to sidelineandback=two points) Tennis Sandwich—four kidspersandwich(to onesideline=point;and back=two points) Touchdown—forehands orbackhands(four goals=onepoint) Lobster Trap (four successful =onepoint,thenswitch roles) Jacks (make itto “Threesies” =onepoint) Bullseye (one pointinservice box, two pointsinsmallbox, 10pointsfor bullseye) Bungee jumps(four successful =onepoint) Make sure eachteam hasitsown area for registering scores. stickers orexisting scoring device onnets. During eachround, players usevisualscoring methodto track points—ballsinacontainer, cones, clothespins, Assign points to eachactivity. For example, ateam scores apointafter aplayer completes four bungees. With four teams ormore, have players rotate to multiple“stations” withdifferent activites. With three teams orfewer, have eachteam/player perform sameactivity. Have avolunteer work withless-skilled players. to three minutes. Teams perform individualandcooperative skillswithapartner. Eachactivitywilllast nomore thantwo Next player goeswhentagged;must start behindsideline. When coach says, “Go,” first player runs to opposite sidelineandback. Change starting position(backturned,sittingdown, etc.). catch ballwhilemoving, etc.). Add aballandrequire anadditionaltask(runto opposite sidelineandroll ballbackto next player, toss and Require specificmovement to sidelineandback(run,skip, shuffle, etc.). TENNIS SKILLS&TEAMCHALLENGE © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

PRE-RALLY • • BOUNCE MASTER VI. Take-home awards are notnecessary. for best hustle, most improved, sportsmanship, etc. Remember to recognize effort over ability. Line upbothteams, announce scores andhave allplayers shake hands.Give individualrecognition AWARDS/CLOSING CEREMONY • • • • • Additional Tips before thenext session. Ask players for examples ofwhat they’ve donethissession, andhave themwork onthoseskills Work onvarious skillslearnedthat involve abounce andahit. At theend,have allplayers shake handswithopposingteam. atmosphere. Remember that somekidshave never played sportsonateam before. Every 12to 15minutes, take abreak andannounce team scores. Try to create excitement andateam Increase difficultywhennecessary formore-skilled players (suchas seven to score apointinstead of four). Assistant coaches canbeparents oradult/juniorvolunteers. Have a“coach” for eachteam, alongwithassistant coaches. PLAY AT HOME © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

PRE-RALLY RED BALL 3 RED BALL

OBJECTIVE Develop skills of serve, rally, and score. SAMPLE LESSON PLAN Total: 60 minutes • Warmup: 8 – 10 minutes • Character: 3 minutes or less • Skills: 25 – 30 minutes total (athletic and tennis) • Team Challenge: 15 – 20 minutes • Play at Home: 3 minutes or less PLANS AT A GLANCE

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 62 RED BALL 3 RED BALL Play at Home at Play Self-Rally Forehands Self-Rally Backhands Rally Me Flips and Rally Throw Edgies Pick a Spot Catch Play Day a Play Attend Team Challenge Team Scramble Forehand Backhands Splat Backhand Scramble Rally Pyramids Pyramids Serve Underhand Anywhere Short-Ball Scramble Singles Tag-Team Challenge Serve/Return Team Solar System Solar System Underhand Anywhere Tennis Skills Tennis Trap Lobster Trap Lobster Half-Pound Rally—Forehand Instant Bungee Spots—Backhand Rally—Backhand Instant the Dice Roll School Grade Me Target Progression Serve/Return the Dice Roll w/Partner the Dice Roll Triangles Hoopla Triangles Progression Volley Close the Net Edgies Rally Pyramids School Grade Athletic Skills Athletic Light Runs Light/Green Red Big-Ball Tennis Small Get Tall/Get Machine Rhythm Frogger Drops Partner Jump Vertical Throws Target Tightrope Toss Shake-Hands Hopscotch ’Em Move Make the World Around Toss Hi-Lo Big-Ball Tennis Character Respect Respect Teamwork Effort Teamwork Teamwork Responsibility Responsibility Warmup Course Obstacle Bedroom Messy Ball Tunnel Variations Tag Course Obstacle Bedroom Messy Ball Tunnel Light Light/Green Red

01 Rally My Forehand 02 Rally My Backhand 03 Rally My Forehand and Backhand 04 I Can Serve 05 Rally with Partner 06 It! Move 07 Me Volley Watch 08 Game On!

RALLY MY FOREHAND 3 RED BALL Equipment: Mini-net, caution tape or any type of rope; 19 to 23-inch racquets, playground balls and red balls; cones, poly-spots and TDLs. I. WARMUP OBSTACLE COURSE Setup • Make one 12x12-foot square in center of court on each side of net, using four cones. • Three for four players per square. Mission • Move from cone to cone using different movements. Next player goes when previous player reaches second cone. • Change movement after each player has gone twice. Progressions 1. Gallop, changing lead foot at each cone. 2. Side-shuffle, alternating between facing inside and outside of square at each cone. 3. Walk, then jog backward.

II. CHARACTER RESPECT Listen and follow instructions.

III. ATHLETIC SKILLS RED LIGHT/GREEN LIGHT RUNS

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 64 Setup Set up an area approximately 60 feet long where players can move in a straight line. Mission • Start with traditional red light/green light—run fast when coach calls out green light, RED BALL 3 RED BALL slow down for yellow, stop for red. • Once majority of players get to end, turn around and start again in other direction. Progressions 1. Slowly introduce new moves and colors. Blue light—bring your best dance move; pink light—hop like a bunny; black light—move super-fast. 2. Let players create their own lights. 3. Name a specific movement—skip, lunge-walk, bear-walk, shuffle, etc.—then use red light/green light commands.

BIG-BALL TENNIS Setup • Two pairs per court, using half-court. Each pair with one big ball. • Players are on opposite sides of net in front half of service box. Mission • Begin by tossing with both hands from side, straight ahead to partner. • Let ball bounce, catch with both hands, and toss back. • After four successful catches each, move to progressions. Progressions 1. Toss from one side of body, then other (forehands and backhands). 2. Toss ball up high, then low. 3. Do figure eight patterns (one side tosses crosscourt, other tosses down the line). IV. TENNIS SKILLS LOBSTER TRAP Type: Cooperative, players in pairs. Focus: Sending and receiving in different directions. Setup • Players in pairs with racquets and red ball. • Feeder stands eight to 10 feet from “lobster,” who has a racquet in each hand. Mission—Catch ball between racquets after bounce while moving. • Feeder tosses ball to side, lobster traps it between racquets after bounce. • Lobster drop-hits ball back to feeder. • Complete four from both sides of the body and switch roles. Goal—From ready position, move and trap ball to side of body at waist level, just like a groundstroke.

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 65 Progressions 1. Lobster sends ball back in the air with both racquets. 2. Feeder makes lobster move to side, back and forward. 3. Perform activity over net. RED BALL 3 RED BALL HALF-POUND LOBSTER TRAP Type: Cooperative, players in pairs. Focus: Sending and receiving in different directions. Setup • Players in pairs with red ball. • Feeder stands eight to 10 feet from “lobster,” who has one racquet. TEACHING TIP Mission—Trap ball against racquet after bounce while moving. With all activities, • Feeder tosses ball to side, lobster traps against racquet have players start with free hand after bounce. off in a good ready position. • Lobster drop-hits ball back to feeder. If movement is • For backhand, hold racquet with non-dominant hand at top of grip involved, they should and trap with dominant hand. always recover back • When drop-hitting ball back with backhand, can drop with dominant to center and return hand and put both hands on grip to hit back. to ready position. • Complete four from both sides of the body and switch roles. Goal—From ready position, move and trap ball to side of body at waist level, just like a groundstroke. Progressions 1. Make lobster move to side, back and forward. 2. Perform activity over net.

ILLUSTRATION: HALF-POUND LOBSTER TRAP

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 66 INSTANT RALLY—FOREHAND Type: Individual and cooperative with partner. Focus: Control direction of groundstroke. RED BALL 3 RED BALL Setup Players spread out around court, no more than six per side. Mission—Rally by yourself and with partner. TEACHING TIP Goal—Hit every ball from side of body. Avoid the temptation Progressions to move entire group 1. With palm up, tap ball up about head level, bounce it and catch it. through progressions at the same time. 2. Self-rally: Instead of catching ball after first bounce, continue to tap Not all players will it up after each bounce. progress at the same 3. Rally with partner to same target: Find a partner and alternate rate. If a player or pair tapping ball up after bounce to about head level. How many consecutive is struggling, either tap-ups can each pair hit? Use a poly-spot, donut or chalk circle as a stay on that task target to encourage hitting ball up instead of out. longer or try to make 4. Rally over line with partner: Pair faces each other, each about three feet it easier. from line. Rally over line, making sure ball comes up off racquet. How many can they hit in a row? 5. Rally over net: Use net or low barrier instead of line and rally for numbers. To assist with control and direction, add a target about three feet from net (poly-spot, donut or chalk circle).

FOREHAND SCRAMBLE 3 RED BALL Type: Hand-feed, players in pairs. Focus: Forehand direction. Setup • Two pairs on each court, all about four feet from net. • Feeders on one side of net—off to side with bucket of balls—hitters on other. • Create a large target in middle of opposite service boxes with hula-hoop, cones, etc. Mission—Hit ball over net to target from hand-feed. • Toss to forehand. Hit over net into opposite service box, aiming for target. After six attempts, switch sides. • Create a scoring system that rewards getting ball over net, with most points for hitting target. • Play team versus team. Goal—Simple take-back and follow-through. Progressions 1. Hit straight ahead. 2. Alternate hitting straight ahead and crosscourt. 3. Make hitter move to ball and recover.

ILLUSTRATION: FOREHAND SCRAMBLE

FEEDER

SELF-RALLY FOREHANDS 3 RED BALL Setup • Play with foam ball on driveway or any flat surface. • Alternate hits with partner. Progression 1. Self-rally high and low. 2. Rally with partner over line in concrete or low barrier.

RALLY MY BACKHAND 3 RED BALL Equipment: Mini-net, caution tape or any type of rope, 19 to 23-inch racquets, playground balls and red balls, cones, poly-spots and TDLs. I. WARMUP MESSY BEDROOM Setup • Teams of six to eight; one team per court. • Players on one side of net (preferably side opposite fence), with bucket of red balls. Mission • Coach tips over bucket of balls. • Players throw balls one at a time over net. • Throw as many as possible in one minute. • Players pick up balls from other side and count how many they threw. • Do it again and try to beat team record. Progressions 1. Throw into service box. 2. Play on 78-foot court.

II. CHARACTER RESPECT • Take care of equipment. • Leave court ready for others.

III. ATHLETIC SKILLS

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 70 GET TALL/GET SMALL Setup Players spread out around court. RED BALL 3 RED BALL Mission • Stand on tiptoes with arms above head attempting to get as tall as possible. • On coach’s command, drop into athletic stance. • During drop, hands move aggressively from over head to past hips. Progressions 1. From “small” position, leap into the air, reaching as high as possible, then land in “tall” position. 2. Perform activity on one leg, then switch legs.

RHYTHM MACHINE Setup • Three or four pairs on each side of court. • Pairs start on sideline, facing each other. Mission • Start with basic “patty-cake.” • Once you get rhythm, continue patty-caking while side-shuffling to opposite sideline and back. Progressions 1. Create different clapping sequences while standing still. Once players get rhythm, they do same while shuffling to opposite sideline and back. 2. Shorten distance and go back and forth.

ILLUSTRATION: RHYTHM MACHINE

BUNGEE SPOTS—BACKHAND 3 RED BALL Type: Individual. Focus: Racquet skills. Setup • Maximum four players on each side of net, each player with racquet and red ball. • Place two sets of four poly-spots from sideline to sideline on each side of net in a zigzag pattern. Mission—Drop ball on poly-spots with backhand (knuckles up). • Move to first spot, drop ball on spot with bungee jump, catch ball on racquet, then head to next spot. • Next player goes when previous player reaches next spot. • When finished, go back to end of line while balancing ball on racquet. • Need help? Use free hand to reposition ball on strings. Goal—How many spots can you hit with one attempt? Progressions 1. Double bungee jump on spot. 2. Continuous bungee jump as you move to next spot. Note: Use one or two hands for backhand.

ILLUSTRATION: BUNGEE SPOTS–BACKHAND

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 72 INSTANT RALLY—BACKHAND Type: Individual and cooperative with partner. Focus: Control direction of groundstroke. RED BALL 3 RED BALL Setup Players spread out around court, maximum six per side. Mission—Rally by yourself and with a partner. TEACHING TIP Goal—Hit every ball from side of body. For self-rally, a one- Progressions handed backhand 1. With knuckles up, tap ball up about head level, let bounce and catch it. may be more natural for some kids. Once 2. Self-rally: Instead of catching ball after first bounce, continue to they rally with a tap ball up after each bounce. partner and hit over 3. Rally with partner to target: Find a partner and alternate tapping ball up a barrier, they may after bounce to about head level. See how many consecutive tap-ups want to add other each pair can get. Use a poly-spot, donut or chalk circle as a target to hand to grip. focus on hitting up instead of out. 4. Rally over line with partner: With each player about four feet from a line, rally over line. Ball should come up off racquet. How many can they hit in a row? 5. Rally over a net: Replace line with net or low barrier and rally for numbers. To assist with control and direction, add target about three feet from net (poly-spot, donut or chalk circle). V. TEAM CHALLENGE SPLAT BACKHANDS Type: Cooperative, players in pairs. Focus: Racquet skills with bounce. Setup • Up to three pairs on each side of net. • Each pair with upturned half-cone as target, or use ball pyramid (one ball on top of three). Mission—Rally upward with partner, attempting to hit target. • One player tosses ball up, bounces it and taps it up with racquet using backhand (at least head level), trying to hit target. • Partner lets it bounce, taps it up again and continues to alternate with partner; both players attempt to hit target each time. • How many times can they hit target in two minutes? • Put pairs together into larger teams and see how many targets they can hit in two minutes. Goal—Maintain rally in small space. Progressions 1. Alternate forehands and backhands. 2. Use two targets and hit over net.

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 73 BACKHAND SCRAMBLE Type: Hand-feed, players in pairs. Focus: Directing backhand off of hand-feed. RED BALL 3 RED BALL Setup • Two pairs on each court, all about four feet from net. • Feeders on one side of net, off to sides with bucket of balls; hitters on other. • Create a large target in middle of opposite service box using hula-hoop, cones, etc. Mission—Hit ball over net to target from hand-feed. • Toss is to backhand. Hit over net into opposite service box aiming for target. • After six attempts switch sides. • Create a scoring system that rewards getting ball over net, with most points for hitting target. • Play team versus team. Goal—Simple take-back and follow-through. Progressions 1. Alternate hitting straight ahead and crosscourt. 2. Make hitter move to ball and recover. VI. PLAY AT HOME SELF-RALLY BACKHANDS Setup • Play with foam ball on driveway or any flat surface. • Alternate hits with partner. Progressions 1. Self-rally high and low. 2. Find a partner and rally over line in concrete or low barrier.

RALLY MY FOREHAND 3 RED BALL & BACKHAND Equipment: Mini-net, caution tape or any type of rope; 19 to 23-inch racquets, playground balls, red balls and orange balls; cones, poly-spots and TDLs. I. WARMUP TUNNEL BALL Setup • Players in pairs, starting on sideline. • Two or three pairs on each side of net. • One player with ball and both feet on sideline. Facing partner stands about five feet away with feet apart. Mission • Roll ball between partner’s legs at medium speed. • Partner turns and chases ball down before it reaches opposite sideline, and tosses back. • Complete four successful rolls and catches, then switch roles. Progressions 1. Face player, then turn back to player. 2. Toss ball above partner’s shoulder/head. Partner attempts to catch before it reaches opposite sideline. Note: This may take several bounces.

II. CHARACTER TEAMWORK • Work together with teammates to set up games and activities. • Be helpful to coach and teammates.

FROGGER 3 RED BALL Setup • Place obstacles such as cones, poly-spots tennis bags, etc., randomly inside playing area. • Line players up across sideline, no more than four per side of net. Mission • Jump like frogs, one jump at a time, and navigate to opposite sideline without touching obstacles. • Jump forward, left, right or backward, not diagonally. • Each jump must start and end in an athletic stance. Progressions 1. Start with single jumps only, then allow multi-jumps. 2. Jump over obstacles to get to opposite sideline. Allow only three “free jumps,” where they don’t have to jump over an obstacle.

ILLUSTRATION: FROGGER

PARTNER DROPS Setup • Players in pairs spread out around court. • One player has two orange balls; partner catches. • Pairs start about four feet apart.

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 76 Mission • With a ball in each hand, hold arms straight out at shoulder level in a “V” position with palms down. • Drop a ball. Partner catches with one hand after bounce. • Catch with right hand on right side of body, left hand on left. 3 RED BALL • After four successful catches on each side, switch roles. Progressions 1. Hold arms straight out to side. TEACHING TIP 2. Take another step back. A red ball can be difficult to catch with 3. Catch with two hands, then one. one hand because of its size. Whenever performing activities that involve tossing and catching with IV. TENNIS SKILLS one hand, an orange ball is preferable. ROLL THE DICE Type: Cooperative, players in pairs. Focus: Rally with partner in small space. Setup • Up to four pairs spread out on both sides of net, each pair hitting over a line. • One dice for each pair of players. Keep dice off court near net. Mission—Rally same number as on dice. • Coach says “Go” and one player from each pair runs over, rolls dice, and runs back. • Players must rally same number of balls as number on dice. • Start with forehands, then switch to backhands. Goal—Use open racquet face and make ball come up off racquet. Progressions 1. Add sidelines and baselines with TDLs. 2. With two pairs per side, rally over net.

GRADE SCHOOL Type: Cooperative, players in pairs. Focus: Rally with partner in small space. Setup • Up to four pairs on each side of net, each hitting over a line with boundaries. • Use TDLs and existing lines to create mini-courts. Mission—Control ball in space with limited backswing. • Rally forehands back and forth. Hit one each and move to “first grade.” • Rally four (two each) and move to “second grade.” • Need help? Drop-hit and trap back and forth. Goal—Work your way to “middle school.”

V. TEAM CHALLENGE TEACHING TIP Instead of hitting balls fed from a RALLY PYRAMIDS cart and using a full stroke, players need Type: Cooperative, players in pairs. to learn how to rally Focus: Rally skills. with a partner using a simple motion. Setup Initially, the rally • Two pairs per court. Use caution tape as net for less-skilled players. won’t look great, • Pairs have a designated spot on side of court (hula-hoop, etc.) but that’s ok. to build a four-ball pyramid (three on bottom, one on top). Mission—Rally forehands and backhands. • Rally on half-court, standing in middle of service box. • Player 1, with racquet under arm or on ground, tosses to player 2 and assumes ready position. • Player 2 hits ball over net with either stroke, and player 1 hits back. • For every successful rally of one each, add a ball to pyramid. • Need help? Drop-hit or toss; bounce, trap or catch one-handed. Goal—Return to ready position with both hands on racquet after each stroke. Progressions 1. Two each, then three each, etc., to score a point. 2. Increase distance. VI. PLAY AT HOME RALLY ME FLIPS Setup • Play with foam ball on driveway or any flat surface. • Rally in small space, alternating forehands and backhands. Progressions 1. Self-rally high and low, alternating strokes. 2. Rally with partner over line in concrete or low barrier, alternating strokes.

I CAN SERVE 3 RED BALL Equipment: Mini-net, caution tape or any type of rope; 19 to 23-inch racquets; playground balls and red balls; cones, poly-spots and TDLs. I. WARMUP TAG VARIATIONS Setup • Players spread out in defined space, using cones, if desired, to establish playing area. • Four to six players in each space. BACKWARD TAG SKIP TAG Mission Mission—Same as backward tag except all players skip. • One player is “it.” Anyone moving must be walking backward. • Once tagged, players move outside boundaries, do five repetitions of a fun exercise, then come back in. • Rotate “it” player every minute or less. Progressions 1. Allow “it” player to move freely (running, etc.). 2. In a smaller area, “it” player walks backward; others move freely.

II. CHARACTER EFFORT • Try your hardest. • Tell yourself, “I can do it!”

III. ATHLETIC SKILLS

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 79 VERTICAL JUMP Setup Players spread out along fence. RED BALL 3 RED BALL Mission • Jump vertically as high as possible, as if attempting to grab a rebound in basketball. • Land in an athletic stance, as quietly as possible. Progressions 1. Stand facing fence and touch as high as possible. Try to beat record each time. 2. Players in pairs, facing each other with one big ball. One player jumps up with ball fully extended above head. After landing in an athletic position, chest-passes ball to partner, who repeats.

TARGET THROWS Setup • Be sure to rotate side of court players throw from. • Up to four players on each side of net playing • Hit a target, run and grab it, and add it to a as a team. designated scoring area for team. • Each player stands on baseline with red ball. • See how many targets players can hit in one • Place cones, poly-spots hula hoops and various minute, or how long it takes to get X amount targets inside front half of service boxes. of points. • Aim for an equal number of targets in service boxes. Progressions 1. Instead of removing targets after they’re hit, Mission count each one hit as point for team. • One player from deuce and one from ad throw diagonally at targets on their side of net. 2. Move players further behind baseline. • Next players come up and throw. Once everyone has 3. Throw at targets on other side of net. thrown, players run and retrieve balls and start again.

TARGET ME 3 RED BALL Type: Individual. Focus: Rally skills. Setup Players create their own courts with existing lines, TDLs and other objects. Mission—Self-rally in your space. • Start with forehands (palm up), hitting as many balls as possible in a row up to eye level. • Switch to backhands (knuckles up). Goal—Keep ball going in as small a space as possible. Progressions 1. Single stroke, then alternate. 2. Make a creative court and net out of anything you can find, and alternate hits with partner.

ILLUSTRATION: TARGET ME

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 81 SERVE/RETURN PROGRESSION Type: Cooperative, players in pairs. Focus: Serve and return direction. RED BALL 3 RED BALL Setup • Two pairs per court, diagonally across net from each other in middle of service box. • Use TDLs as a “baseline” for players to stand behind. TEACHING TIP Mission—Serve and return cooperatively with partner. Players who throw better serve better. Goal—Serve overhand into service box. Keep encouraging players to throw when Progressions they’re not at practice. 1. Throw from a turned position to partner, who bounces, catches and throws back. 2. Using an abbreviated motion, player overhand-serves to partner, who traps ball on strings with hand and serves back. Feet should be at 45-degree angle to baseline when serving. 3. Receiver returns serve, server traps it on strings. After four serve-and-return sequences, receiver serves. 4. Need help? Move forward, toss or drop-hit serve. V. TEAM CHALLENGE SERVE PYRAMIDS Type: Cooperative, players in pairs. Focus: Serve direction. Setup • Two pairs per court—one serves, other returns. • Partners are diagonally across net from each other in middle of service box. • Designate a spot on side of court (hula-hoop, etc.) to build a pyramid. Mission—Complete serve-and-return sequences. • Server throw-serves into box, returner traps and drop-hits back to server. • Add a ball to pyramid for each successful serve and return. • Switch roles after each pyramid, then switch sides of court. Goal—Server and returner in good ready positions after hitting. Progressions 1. Serve and return in order to score point. 2. Serve from service line.

© 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com NetGeneration.com | 82 COURT CENTS: SIX 36-FOOT COURTS ON ONE 78-FOOT COURT • First court is from 78-foot baseline to back fence. • Next is 78-foot baseline to service line. RED BALL 3 RED BALL • Last is service line to net. • The fence and 78-foot-court net can be sidelines, or just add a few TDLs. • Remember, at this stage, tape or rope is more effective than a regular net because players can continue to rally if balls go under.

VI. PLAY AT HOME THROW AND RALLY Setup Play with foam ball against garage door or solid wall. Progressions 1. Serve overhand to wall, hit one groundstroke (return), and catch. 2. Serve to left then right side of wall. 3. Serve and rally until you miss.

RALLY WITH PARTNER 3 RED BALL Equipment: Mini-net, caution tape or any type of rope; 19 to 23-inch racquets; playground balls, red balls and orange balls; cones, poly-spots and TDLs. I. WARMUP OBSTACLE COURSE Setup • Create one 12x12-foot square in center of court on each side of net, using four cones. • Three to four players per square. Mission • Go from cone to cone using different movements. Next player goes when previous player reaches second cone. • After each player has gone twice, change movement. Progressions 1. Gallop, changing lead foot at each cone. 2. Jog backward. 3. Skip sideways.

II. CHARACTER TEAMWORK • Use encouraging words when speaking with partners and teammates. • Tell others, “You can do it!”

III. ATHLETIC SKILLS

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 84 TIGHTROPE Setup • Four players on each side of net. • One on each sideline, one on service line, and one on baseline. 3 RED BALL Mission • Tightrope-walk along line, with one foot directly in front of other. • Go forward first, then try backward. Progressions 1. Walk forward all the way to end of line, then backward. 2. Walk along line while tossing and catching ball with two hands.

SHAKE-HANDS TOSS Setup • Players in pairs spread out around court. • Each pair has one orange ball. Mission • Shake hands and hold onto shake so arms form a net. • With free hand, gently toss ball over “arm net,” let it bounce, and catch with one hand, then repeat. • Players may need to move their feet together in same direction to adjust for bad tosses. • After four successful catches each, switch hands. Progressions 1. Toss ball higher and wider so both players have to move more. 2. Catch ball in the air.

ILLUSTRATION: SHAKE-HANDS TOSS

ROLL THE DICE 3 RED BALL Type: Individual. Focus: Self-rally in small space. Setup Four to six players on each side of net. Mission—Self-rally same number as on dice. • Coach designates a player to roll dice. • Players must rally same number of balls as number on dice. • Self-rally forehands, then backhands. • Need help? Do bungees. Goal—Challenge each player with how they should self-rally. Progressions 1. Self-rally flips (alternate backhands and forehands). 2. Add a target.

ROLL THE DICE WITH PARTNER Type: Cooperative with partner. Focus: Rally in small space with partner. Setup Players in pairs, maximum four pairs per side. Mission—Rally same number as on dice. • Coach designates a player to roll dice. • Players must rally same number of balls as number on dice. • Rally forehands, then backhands. Progressions 1. Rolling rally with partner. 2. Rally with partner to target. 3. With two pairs, per side, rally over net with partner.

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 86 TRIANGLES Type: Cooperative, groups of three. Focus: Direct groundstrokes side to side. RED BALL 3 RED BALL Setup • Three players per court. If necessary, two groups of three on one court. • Two feeders on one side of net, one hitter on the other. All are about five feet from net. Mission—Alternate shots left and right. • One feeder tosses ball to hitter, who hits to other feeder. • Feeder catches ball and tosses back to hitter, who continues to change direction each time. • After two successful sequences, change positions. After complete rotation, hitter switches to backhands. • Need help? Catch and hand-toss back to feeder, trap and hand-toss, or trap and drop-hit. Goal—Hitter works on using feet to turn shoulder on every ball. Progressions 1. Toss and hit. 2. Feeders trap and drop-hit to hitter. 3. All three rally.

ILLUSTRATION: TRIANGLES

UNDERHAND ANYWHERE 3 RED BALL Type: Competitive, team. Focus: Moving opponent. Setup • Two teams of two or three per court. COACHING TIP • One side serves, other returns. Watch for players who understand basic • Boundaries are 36-foot-court sidelines, and service line is baseline. tactics such as moving • Play a team-versus-team singles format. the opponent on the first ball. For those Mission—Toss and hit ball to open court. who don’t, encourage • Server puts racquet down, tosses ball to any part of court, them to toss away picks up racquet and plays out point. from the opponent • Rotate players after each point. Switch servers and returners on the first serve/toss. after a team scores seven points. • Need help? Trap ball instead of hitting it. Goal—Both players recover to center in good ready position after each shot. Progressions 1. Must toss/serve in diagonal box. 2. Returners hit only forehands or backhands. 3. Play to only one-half of opponent’s court. VI. PLAY AT HOME EDGIES Setup Play on driveway or any flat surface. Mission—Keep ball going with edge of racquet. Hold racquet with continental grip and try to keep rally going by hitting ball to ground with edge of racquet. Goal—See how many you can hit in a row, then beat your personal best. Progressions 1. Start with edgies down, then try ups. 2. Do one edgie down, then one up.

MOVE IT! 3 RED BALL Equipment: Mini-net, caution tape or any type of rope; 19 to 23-inch racquets; playground balls and red balls; cones, poly-spots and TDLs. I. WARMUP MESSY BEDROOM Setup • Teams of six to eight; one team per court. • Players on one side of net (preferably side opposite fence), with bucket of red balls. Mission • Coach tips over bucket of balls. • Players throw balls one at a time over net into service boxes. Coach counts out loud how many land in services boxes. • Throw as many as possible in one minute. • Players pick up balls from other side. • Do it again and try to beat team record. Progressions 1. Throw diagonally into correct service box. 2. Play on 78-foot court and have teams compete with each other.

II. CHARACTER TEAMWORK Be cooperative so all players have a chance to do their best.

HOPSCOTCH 3 RED BALL Setup • Use an agility ladder, cones or chalk to create a traditional or non-traditional hopscotch playing area. • Use a beanbag or cone as a marker. • Create one hopscotch area for every four to six players. TEACHING TIP Mission Hopping from one • Place a marker for each player in one square. foot to two is the • Hop through squares and over marked square. basis for the split-step. Hopscotch is a form of • Upon return, pick up marker balancing on one leg, hop back incidental learning that and give marker to coach. will make kids faster in Progressions the future. 1. Place marker in square 1. As each player is successful, move it to square 2, and so on. 2. Let players place marker. 3. Change shapes of squares (circles, for example), add islands players have to jump over.

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 90 MAKE ’EM MOVE Setup • Players in pairs, with red ball and TDL. • No more than three pairs spread out on each side of net. 3 RED BALL • Pairs face each other, five to six feet apart. • One player feeds, other catches. • Catcher uses TDL as “home base.” TEACHING TIP Mission Tossing under control • Toss ball to one side of catcher, who catches with one hand, is one of the most tosses back and recovers to home base. important skills young players can learn. It’s • Make catcher move left and right, using enough height the beginning stage for catcher to successfully track ball. of a forehand and • After four successful catches, switch roles. serve, and allows • If feeder struggles with toss, place poly-spots on them to work together either side of catcher. as they gain more confidence and skill. Progressions Be sure to demonstrate 1. Toss ball higher, lower. a simple toss. 2. Use an orange ball and catch with one hand.

ILLUSTRATION: MAKE ’EM MOVE

Palm is open at end of toss. 3 RED BALL • As players become more successful and the distance increases, have them turn to the side with staggered feet to toss. • When turning sideways, players should begin with arm straight down, in front of back leg, limiting backswing.

IV. TENNIS SKILLS HOOPLA Type: Cooperative, players in pairs. Focus: Forehand direction. Setup • Players in pairs: one drop-hits, other holds hula-hoop. • Start six to eight feet from fence, spread out for safety. • Partner stands just in front of fence holding hoop to side with both hands. Mission—Drop-hit ball through hoop. • Hitter turns sideways (forehand side). • Hold ball in non-dominant hand, palm down. • Gently drop-hit ball into hoop, emphasizing control. • After a few successful hits, raise hoop above head. • Need help? Toss to hoop. Goal—Adjust racquet face and motion for each shot. Progressions 1. Increase distance every four successful hits. 2. Add a second hitter and rally over net. With hoop held high, other two hit back and forth over net aiming for hoop.

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 92 TRIANGLES Type: Cooperative, groups of three. Focus: Directing side to side. RED BALL 3 RED BALL Setup • Three players per court. If necessary, two groups of three on one court. • Two drop-hitters on one side of net, one hitter on other. All players about five feet from net. Mission—Alternate shots left and right. • One player gently drop-hits to hitter, who hits back to other drop-hitter. • Trap ball and drop-hit back to hitter, who continues to change direction each time. • After two successful sequences, rotate positions. After complete round, hitter switches to backhands. • Need help? Toss ball to hitter. Goal—Hitter works on using feet to turn shoulder on every ball. Progressions 1. Increase distance. 2. All three rally. V. TEAM CHALLENGE SHORT-BALL SCRAMBLE Type: Cooperative, players in pairs. Focus: Court coverage. Setup • Two pairs per court, using half-court. • Feeders are close to net; hitters are on service line. Mission—Return short ball to feeder. • Toss ball short over net to forehand side (similar to drop shot). • Hitter runs forward and dinks ball back short for feeder to catch. • After five successful hits and catches, change roles. Goal—Keep racquet in front of body for short ball. Progressions 1. Dink backhands. 2. Feeder can drop-hit instead. 3. After hitter plays short ball, play out point.

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 93 TAG-TEAM SINGLES Type: Cooperative team, competitive team. Focus: Directing groundstrokes. RED BALL 3 RED BALL Setup • Two teams of four to six per court. • Each team forms a line behind middle of baseline. • Play points inside service line. Mission—Keep rally going. • First player from one side drop-hits ball over net and moves to back of line. • First player on other side returns ball down center and goes to back of line. • Each subsequent player hits one ball and moves to back of line, keeping point going until someone misses. • Try to set a team record. Goal—Control ball down center of court. Progressions 1. Courts compete for longest rally. 2. Play competitively where ball is hit anywhere in court. VI. PLAY AT HOME PICK A SPOT Setup Play with foam ball against garage door or solid wall. Mission—Hit to targets on wall. • Use stickers or existing marks. • Start with serve and rally toward target. Once you miss, start again with serve. Progression Move to side and hit crosscourt to target with forehand and backhand.

WATCH ME VOLLEY 3 RED BALL Equipment: Mini-net, caution tape or any type of rope; 19 to 23-inch racquets; playground balls, red balls and orange balls; cones, poly-spots and TDLs. I. WARMUP TUNNEL BALL Setup • Two or three pairs on each side of net, starting on sideline and facing each other. • Pairs stand about five feet apart. One player has a ball and both feet on sideline, other stands with feet apart. Mission • Player rolls ball between partner’s legs at medium speed. • Partner turns and chases ball down before it gets to opposite sideline, and tosses back. • Complete four successful rolls and catches, then switch roles. Progressions 1. Catcher faces partner, then turns back to partner. 2. Increase speed of roll/toss. 3. Toss ball over partner’s shoulder/head. Partner runs and catches on bounce before it reaches opposite sideline. Challenge players to catch after fewer bounces.

II. CHARACTER RESPONSIBILITY • Look after your equipment. • Carry your own racquet.

III. ATHLETIC SKILLS

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 95 AROUND THE WORLD Setup Players spread out around court. RED BALL 3 RED BALL Mission • Standing on one foot with soft knee (slightly bent), lift opposite leg forward and up as high as possible while maintaining balance. • Move raised leg out to side without leaning excessively in opposite direction as a counterbalance. • Move same leg up and back while maintaining balance, trying not to lean forward excessively. • Repeat for three trips “around the world” on each leg.

ILLUSTRATION: AROUND THE WORLD

HI-LO TOSS Setup • Players in pairs, with one red or orange ball. • Maximum four pairs spread out on each side of net. • Players face each other, four to five feet apart. Mission • One player feeds, other catches. • Toss to catcher, who catches after one bounce and tosses back. • Toss second ball high. Catch in the air above waist level and toss back. • After two successful hi-lo catches, switch roles.

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 96 Progressions 1. Catch red ball with both hands. Once successful, catch orange ball with one hand. 2. Move player on both tosses. 3. Increase distance between players. RED BALL 3 RED BALL Note: Start off with very easy tosses that have enough height for catcher to easily track ball. Feeder should start with arm in front of body, palm up. IV. TENNIS SKILLS VOLLEY PROGRESSION Type: Cooperative, players in pairs. Focus: Learn to volley. Setup • Three pairs per court on opposite sides of net, about three feet from net. • One feeds, other volleys. Mission—Volley cooperatively with partner. Goal—Return to ready position after each volley and step with correct foot. Progressions 1. Toss ball to volleyer, who dinks it back. Feeder catches ball after bounce. 2. Complete four successful volleys and catches, then switch roles. Once successful, have volleyer go back to ready position each time. 3. Players move two steps back. With racquet under arm, feeder tosses ball and traps partner’s volley after bounce. Do four tosses, volleys and traps before switching roles. 4. Players take another step back. Drop-hit ball to volleyer, who volleys it so it bounces. Feeder hits it back to volleyer and volleyer hits it back to feeder, who traps it. Switch roles after four drop-hit/volley/rally/volley/ trap sequences. Do Same Sequence Using Backhand Side 1. Toss, volley, catch. 2. Toss, volley, trap. 3. Drop-hit, volley, rally, volley, trap. 4. Players can perform first two steps. Final step might be best executed with coach or helper aiding in groundstroke position in order to keep ball in play. Additional Progressions TEACHING TIP 1. Alternate forehands and backhands. 2. Direct volley to left and right side of feeder. Observe players who can catch easily with one hand. These are the ones who will be candidates for a continental grip and one-handed backhand on the volley.

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 97 CLOSE THE NET Type: Cooperative, players in pairs. Focus: Approach and volley with direction. RED BALL 3 RED BALL Setup • Two pairs per court, using half-court. One player feeds, other volleys. • Volleyer starts on service line; feeder is at net. Mission—Perform approach, split-step and volley. • Volleyer drop-hits ball down the line, moves toward net and does a split-step, ready to hit a volley. • Feeder tosses to volleyer, who volleys back to feeder. • After six attempts, players change roles. Goal—Arrive at net on balance in ready position, and control volley. Progressions 1. Volleyer hits both a forehand and backhand. 2. Feeder catches approach and tosses back. 3. Feeder has a racquet and traps approach, drop-hits and traps again.

ILLUSTRATION: CLOSE THE NET

FEEDER

TEAM SERVE/RETURN CHALLENGE 3 RED BALL Type: Cooperative, team. Focus: Serve direction and consistency. Setup • Two teams, each with multiple servers (two or more) and one returner. • One team serves to deuce court, other to ad court, from middle of service box. • Place seven half-cones and one ball outside playing area for visual scoring. Mission—Overhand serve into correct box and catch for return. • Teams score points when server successfully hits overhand serve into correct box and returner catches on one bounce. • Returner places ball on next cone then returns to ready position. • Rotate returners after every two successful one-bounce catches. • First team to seven wins. Goal—Turn shoulder with feet at 45 degrees for serve. Progressions 1. Trap for return and drop-hit back to server. 2. Hit return back to server off of bounce. 3. Serve from service line, then baseline.

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 99 SOLAR SYSTEM Type: Competitive, team. Focus: Tossing and volleying with direction. RED BALL 3 RED BALL Setup • Teams of three or four on opposite sides of net; one team starts on service line, other at net. • Place hula-hoops in each service box on side of net with net players, and bucket of balls on baseline of other side. COACHING TIP • Line up seven half-cones and a ball behind each baseline for scoring. First to seven is tiebreak scoring for Mission—Toss to hoop, hit volley to defend Red Ball tennis. Use • Two players from each team go at same time. this whenever possible. • Tosser grabs a ball (“meteorite”) from bucket, runs to service line and attempts to toss ball past volleyer and into a hoop (“planet”). • Volleyer attempts to save planets by volleying meteorites in the air. • After toss, grab a ball from bucket at back of court and wait for next turn. Volleyers wait behind service line for next turn. • For every point scored (in hoop or successful volley), player runs to scoring cones and moves ball to next cone. First team to seven wins, then switch sides. Goal—Toss with accuracy and use a good ready position as volleyer. Progressions 1. Players catch ball instead of volleying. 2. Start point with drop-hit from service line.

ILLUSTRATION: SOLAR SYSTEM

PLAY CATCH 3 RED BALL Mission—Find a friend and play catch. • Use a tennis ball. Alternate between tossing and catching, and throwing and catching. • Use a baseball and gloves. Throw regular balls and grounders. • Play Frisbee. • Throw to a wall and catch.

GAME ON! 3 RED BALL Equipment: Mini-net, caution tape or any type of rope; 19 to 23-inch racquets, playground balls and red balls; cones, poly-spots and TDLs. I. WARMUP RED LIGHT/GREEN LIGHT RUNS Setup Set up an area approximately 60 feet long where players can move in a straight line. Mission • Start with traditional red light/green light—players run fast when coach calls out green light, slow down for yellow, stop for red. • Once majority of players get to end, turn around and start again in other direction. Progressions 1. Divide players into teams and let them create their own lights and moves. 2. Have a contest for most creative moves by a team.

II. CHARACTER RESPONSIBILITY • Arrive to practice on time. • Come to practice ready to play.

BIG-BALL TENNIS 3 RED BALL Setup • Split players into two big teams. • Within each team, divide into smaller teams of two or three players. • Set up “matches” with two or three players from each team playing against one another. • Use 36-foot-court sidelines and service line as baseline. • Play matches using big ball. • Give each big team a name, or let players choose. Mission • Points begin with a toss, which can land anywhere in court. • Toss all balls over net from side of body. First bounce must be within court boundaries. • Rules can vary for level of players—only one bounce, endless bounces, one side serves two straight points then switch. • For teams of three, rotate positions every few points. • Have teams play to a certain number of points, then switch opponents. Focus on play, not which team wins. Progressions 1. Must toss serve diagonally to proper box. 2. Can catch ball on bounce or in the air. 3. Use baseline as boundary. IV. TENNIS SKILLS

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 103 EDGIES Type: Individual. Focus: Racquet skills. RED BALL 3 RED BALL Setup Players spread out on court and find their own space. Mission—Keep ball going with edge of racquet. • Hold racquet with continental grip and keep rally going by hitting ball to ground with edge of racquet. Goal—See how many you can hit in a row, then beat your personal best. Progressions 1. Start with edgies down, then try ups. 2. Alternate between one edgie down and one up.

ILLUSTRATION: EDGIES

RALLY PYRAMIDS Type: Cooperative, players in pairs. Focus: Rally skills. Setup • Two pairs per court. Use caution tape as net for less-skilled players. • Players have a designated spot on side of court (hula-hoop, etc.) to build a pyramid.

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 104 Mission—Rally forehands and backhands. • Rally on half-court, standing in middle of service box. • Player 1, with racquet under arm or on ground, tosses to player 2 and assumes ready position. • Player 2 hits ball over net with either stroke, and player 1 hits back. RED BALL 3 RED BALL • For every successful rally of one each, add a ball to pyramid. Goal—Return to ready position with both hands on racquet after each stroke. Progressions 1. Two each, then three each, etc., to score a point. 2. Increase distance.

GRADE SCHOOL Type: Cooperative, players in pairs. Focus: Rally with partner in small space. Setup • Up to four pairs on each side of net, each pair hitting over a line with boundaries. • Use TDLs and existing lines to create mini-courts. Mission—Control ball in space with limited backswing. • Rally forehands back and forth. Hit one each and move to “first grade.” • Rally four (two each) and move to “second grade.” • Need help? Drop-hit and trap back and forth. Goal—Work your way to “middle school.” Progressions 1. Rally backhands. 2. On a bigger court, move back a step/racquet length when advancing to a new “grade.” V. TEAM CHALLENGE SOLAR SYSTEM Type: Competitive, team. Focus: Tossing and volleying with direction. Setup • Teams of three or four on opposite sides of net; one team starts on service line, other at net. • Place hula-hoops in each service box on side of net with net players, and bucket of balls on baseline of other side. • Line up seven half-cones and a ball behind each baseline for scoring.

© 2017 USTA. / NetGeneration.com 105 Mission—Toss to hoop, hit volley to defend. • Two players from each team go at same time. • Tosser grabs a ball (“meteorite”) from bucket, runs to service line, and attempts to toss ball past volleyer and into a hoop (“planet”). • Volleyer attempts to save planets by volleying meteorites in the air. 3 RED BALL • After toss, grab a ball from bucket at back of court and wait for next turn. Volleyers wait behind service line for next turn. • For every point scored (in hoop or successful volley), player runs to scoring cones and moves ball to next cone. First team to seven wins, then switch sides. Goal—Toss with accuracy and use a good ready position as volleyer. Progressions 1. Players catch ball instead of volleying. 2. Start point with drop-hit from service line.

UNDERHAND ANYWHERE Type: Competitive, team. Focus: Moving opponent, consistency. Setup • Four to six players per court. • One side serves, other returns. • Boundaries are 36-foot-court sidelines and service line for baseline. • Play a team-versus-team singles format. Mission—Toss and hit ball to open court. • Server puts racquet down, tosses ball to any part of court, picks up racquet and plays out point. • Rotate players after each point. Switch servers and returners after a team scores seven points. • Need help? Trap ball instead of hitting it. Goal—Both players recover to center in good ready position after each shot. COACHING TIP: Progressions PLAYING OTHER 1. Must toss/serve in diagonal box. SPORTS 2. Returners hit only forehands or backhands. Everyone wants kids to 3. Play to only one-half of opponent’s court. keep coming back to their programs. At the same time, we want our kids to improve and realize that VI. PLAY AT HOME playing other sports will only make them better tennis players. Be sure to encourage ATTEND A PLAY DAY multi-sport play. Your players should be ready to attend a Play Day at your facility. Parents will appreciate They may not be able to serve and rally from baseline, but they can it and be more likely to put the ball in play and rally, and that’s good enough! support your program.

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RED BALL 2 practice starts withahittingwarmup. Players are now able to rally, soeach or reduce to two activities. keep eachshorter thanfive minutes When there are three athletic skills, NOTES:

PLANS ATPLANS AGLANCE • • • • • Total: 60minutes SAMPLE LESSON PLAN Learn to play from allareas of36-foot court. OBJECTIVE Play at Home:3minutes orless 15–20minutesGames: Skills (athletic andtennis): 25–30minutes Character: 3minutes orless Warmup: 6–8minutes NetGeneration.com | 108

RED BALL 2 Warmup Character Athletic Skills Tennis Skills Games Play at Home

01 Accordion Rally Effort Hopscotch Card Shark Tag-Team Singles Alternate Shots to the Wall Rally with My Partner

Balance Wars Capture the Cone

Shake-Hands Toss

02 Court Shapes Effort Ball Exchange Triangles See the Space Trick Shots Watch Me Control the Ball Three-Cone Touch Jump Rope

Make ’Em Move

03 Accordion Rally Respect Positional Starts Serve/Return Progression Start It Out Jump Rope I Can Serve; Show Me Your Return! Target Throws In the Freezer Serve and Return Against Wall

04 Self-Volley Responsibility Net Moves Volley Progression Pass Me Self-Volley Let’s Go To Net!

Hi-Lo Toss

05 No-Net Tennis Play Fair Copy Cat In the Zone Backhand Attack Serve Plus One I Can Serve Where I Want Vertical Jump

Box Throws

06 Self-Volley Play Fair Skipping (Multidirectional) Close the Net Pass Me Jump Rope Let’s Go To Net … Again! Rhythm Machine Volley to Wall

NetGeneration.com | Shuffle Toss

07 No-Net Tennis Temwork Make ’Em Move Self-Toss Hi-Lo Keep Away Rally with a Friend Playing from the Baseline Balance Wars Partner Toss Hi-Lo

08 Trick Shots Respect Relay Races Card Shark Keep Away Play Junior Team Tennis Let’s Play!

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RED BALL 2 ILLUSTRATION: • • • on court. Mission Two pairspercourt, usinghalf-court. Setup Focus: Type: ACCORDION RALLY I. poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: RALLY WITHMYPARTNER CHAPTER move backinto court—to service line, thento middleofbox. After five successful rallies eachfrom baseline, (without stopping rally), thenprogress to baseline. After five successful rallies each,move to service line starting from middleofservice box. Rally cooperatively usingany stroke, WARMUP Cooperative, players inpairs. Groundstroke direction andconsistency. —Keep rally goingfrom different positions 01 ACCORDION RALLY Mini-net,cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets; red balls;cones,

2. 1. Progressions as you move back to baseline. Goal 3. One stroke only. Hit crosscourt. More thanfive rallies. —Lengthen backswing andfollow-through NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • • • • Mission • • • Setup HOPSCOTCH III. • • EFFORT II. Next player goeswhenprevious player reaches fourth square. Place ballincoach’s basket/container andgetbackinline. Coach tosses ball.Runitdown, letitbounce andcatch withonehand. Split-step after last square. Hop through squares. Coach stands nearendofhopscotch area withsupplyoforange balls. Create ahopscotch area for every four to sixplayers. Use anagilityladder, cones orchalkto create atraditional ornon-traditional hopscotch playing area. Ask yourself, “Am Idoingmy best today?” Give your best effort at practice and at home. Catch ballintheairwithonehand. Catch ballwithrighthandonside, lefthandon left. Change shapesofsquares (ex.: circles), addislands players must jumpover. CHARACTER ATHLETIC SKILLS NetGeneration.com | 111

RED BALL 2 2. 1. Progressions • • • • Mission • • Setup SHAKE-HANDS TOSS ILLUSTRATION: • • • • • Mission • • Setup BALANCE WARS After four successful catches each, switch hands. Players may needto move theirfeet together insamedirection to adjust for badtosses. With free hand,gentlytoss ball over “arm net,” letitbounce, andcatch withone hand,thenrepeat. Shake handsandholdonto shake soarmsform anet. Each pairhasoneorange ball. Players inpairs spread outaround court. Play for setnumberofrounds. Keep score andswitch partnersat intervals. Once player loses,switch to leftfoot andrighthandresume play. First player to losebalance ortouch otherfoot to ground loses. Linked viatennis ball,battle eachotherfor balance withouthopping. Pairs stand onrightfoot facing eachotherandholdingonto samered ballwithlefthand. One red ballperpair. Up to four pairsoneachsideofnet. Catch ballintheair. Toss ballhigherandwider sobothplayers have to move more. BALANCEWARS NetGeneration.com | 112

RED BALL 2 • • • • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: TAG-TEAM SINGLES V. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission • • • • Setup Focus: Type: CARD SHARK IV. Need help? Useservice lineasbaseline, give players two tries. Try to setateam record. Each subsequentplayer hitsoneballand moves to endofline, keeping pointgoinguntil someonemisses. First player onothersidereturns balldown center andgoesto endofline. First player from onesidedrop-hits ballover net andmoves to endofline. Boundaries are court lines. Divide players into two groups, witheachgroup forming alinebehindmiddleofeachbaseline. Minimum four players. Need help? Drop-hit andtrap oruseany stroke. designated time. (play untilallcards are gone) orseparate teams andplay for Create scoring where players cancompete asanentire group Hold onto card andpickanother. Rally over netnumberoftimesindicated by card withcorrect stroke. One player from eachpairpicksacard andrunsbackto spot. Keep joker inandmake itawildcard—players getto pick. to work hard buthave success. Use onlycard numbersplayers canachieve; goalisfor them length ofrally. (example: red card isforehand). Numberoncard dictates Coach hasadeckofcards andassigns eachstroke acolor Two pairspercourt; start inmiddleofservice box. Rally crosscourt withoutsidestroke. Complete around, thenmove players back. GAMES —Keep rally goingwithgoodfootwork (one stroke only). TENNIS SKILLS Cooperative team, competitive team. Competitive team withcooperative skills,players inpairs. Directing groundstrokes. Groundstroke consistency. —Rally numberofballsoncard. —Keep rally going.

on coping skills. also helpsthemwork engage thekids.It is agreat way to Using cards ordice TEACHING TIP NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 ILLUSTRATION: 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: CAPTURE THECONE 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal Need help? Play pointsinsideservice boxes. Switch servingteams after eachgame. with allcones wins. Play gamesby time;team withmost cones wins,orteam and claimsacone. Play outpointswithserve. Winner runsto opponent’s side court nearnet. Each team hasfive to seven cones linedupontheirside, outsideof Two teams oftwo orthree percourt, playing one-on-oneonfullcourt. Must serve to designated halfofbox. Serve andreturn must begoodinorder to play point. Only onestroke. Play competitively, where ballishitanywhere incourt. Courts compete for longest rally. —Recover to center after eachshotwithgoodready position. —Control balldown center ofcourt. Competitive, team. Point play. —Serve, rally andscore. CAPTURE THECONE

create anenvironment into allyour gamesto team competition Try to incorporate against anopponent. rally/score andplay are ableto serve/ At thislevel, players COACHING TIP practice. new skillslearnedat to experiment with where players feel free NetGeneration.com | 114

RED BALL 2 3. 2. 1. Progressions Play withred foam ballagainst garage doororsolidwall. Setup ALTERNATE SHOTS TO WALL VI. Serve to wall andrally withafriend. Serve to leftsideofwall andalternate groundstrokes, thenserve to rightand alternate groundstrokes. Serve overhand to wall andalternate hittingforehand andbackhandgroundstrokes. PLAY AT HOME NetGeneration.com | 115

RED BALL 2 ILLUSTRATION: • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: COURT SHAPES I. cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: WATCH MECONTROLTHEBALL CHAPTER Need help? Useshorter spaces and/or drop-hit andtrap. Could beadifferent area oneachsideofnet. Rally inadesignated area determined by coach. and vertically (see diagram). add TDLsto splitservice boxes inhalfhorizontally Divide court according to existing linesand Two pairspercourt, usinghalf-court. WARMUP Cooperative, players inpairs. Direction ongroundstrokes. —Rally consistently to samearea. 02 COURT SHAPES Mini-net,cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets; red ballsandorange balls;

2. 1. Progressions to space selected. Goal Hit crosscourt. One stroke, alternating strokes. —Adjust lengthofstroke according NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 ILLUSTRATION: • • Mission • • • • Setup BALL EXCHANGE III. Practice onyour own withafriendorfamily member. EFFORT II. Shuffle backand forth toeach cone. they were, oneat atime. other row. Turn around andputballsbackwhere row, oneballat atime, untilallthree ballsare on Move to cone, pickupball andplace itonopposite Up to three players persetofcones. leave otherrow empty. Place aballonallthree cones ononerow; Alley between cones shouldbeabout sixfeet wide. from sidelineto sidelineoneachsideofnet. Place two linesofthree half-cones onadiagonal CHARACTER ATHLETIC SKILLS BALL EXCHANGE

2. 1. Progressions 3. changing handswithballwhilemoving from left side, righthand onrightside(thisrequires Pick upandsetdown ballwithlefthandon Stay lateral anddon’tstep across. Use samehandto pickupandsetdown ball. creativity from players. Pivot from cone to cone. This requires some cone to cone). NetGeneration.com | 117

RED BALL 2 ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission • • Setup THREE-CONE TOUCH switch withpartner. Perform sequence twice, repeat withopposite foot andhand,then each cone withopposite hand. Stand between two cones facing third, squat ononelegandtouch to form a“V.” Cones shouldbenomore thantwo feet apart. Place two cones onalineandthird between andinfront ofthem Players inpairs. Left leg/lefthand. Right leg/right hand. Stand upstraight after eachtouch. THREE-CONE TOUCH this skill. activities to develop the bodyare excellent catching ballsacross cones orgrabbing/ successful. Touching cross themidlineto be feet andhandsto Tennis requires both into leftandright. that dividesthebody the center ofthebody imaginary linedown The midlineisan TEACHING TIP NetGeneration.com | 118

RED BALL 2 • • • • Mission Two 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission One • • Setup Focus: Type: TRIANGLES IV. 2. 1. Progressions • • • • Mission • • • • • Setup MAKE ’EMMOVE Complete two successful sequences, thenrotate onespot. and putsballinbucket. Hit second toss over head,to feeder’s landinsidecourt. Catcher catches ononebounce Hit first toss back to feeder, whocatches intheair. One feeder, onehitter five feet from net;catcher on baseline. After three successful sequences, rotate positions. Feeder catches ballandtosses backto hitter, whocontinues to changedirection eachtime. Feeder tosses ballto hitter, whohitsto otherfeeder. stand about five feet from net. Two players ononesideofnetbothfeed andcatch; player onothersidehits.Allplayers Players ingroups ofthree. Ifnecessary, canhave two groups ofthree ononecourt. After four successful catches oneachside, switch roles. catcher to successfully track ball. Make catcher move to leftandright,usingenoughheightfor Catcher usesrighthandon rightside, lefthandonleft. tosses backandrecovers to homebase. Toss ballto onesideofcatcher, whocatches withonehand, Catcher usesTDLas“home base.” One player feeds, othercatches. Pairs face eachother, five to six feet apart. No more thanthree pairsspread outoneachsideofcourt. Players inpairs,withoneorange ballandTDL. All three players rally cooperatively. Feeders drop-hit andtrap. Require aspecific stance (open orsquare). Toss ballhigher, thenlower. —Extend handand racquet indirection ofshot. TENNIS SKILLS Cooperative, groups ofthree. Side to side, high/low. —Alternate shotsleftandright. —Alternate shotshighandlow.

and square stances. work onbothopen hand. Once successful, catching withone on ismoving and main thingto focus when catching. The stance players use at first aboutwhich Don’t beconcerned TEACHING TIP NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 ILLUSTRATION: • Mission • • • • • Setup Focus: Type: SEE THESPACE V. 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal to center. open-court groundstroke andrecovers back Toss awideballto challenger, whohits an Challenger starts in center ofbaseline. Champ starts onsideofbaselinebehindfeeder. supply ofballs. Feeder isoff to side, close to netwith are “challengers.” feeds, other is “champ.” Remaining players Champs/challengers format—one player Up to five players per court. Feeder drop-hits to hitter. Hitter moves from middleofservice box to service lineto baseline. Make hitter move wideanddeep. GAMES —Adjust racquet face andfollow-through for high/low sequence. Cooperative to competitive, team. Move ball. —Hit ballto openspace. SEETHESPACE

• • • • 3. 2. 1. Progressions to center or runningwhennecessary. Goal feed should go. If feeder struggles, putapoly-spot where feeder andfeeder to challenger. new player to champspot,andshiftto After acertain numberofpointsortime, rotate center ofcourt, ifnecessary. someone misses. UseTDLsto markoff Continue to rally inthismanneruntil Champ hitsallballsbackto center. Champ canhitanywhere. Play outpointscompetitively. Feed crosscourt. —Recover from wideballby shufflingback NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 Encourage kidsto getajumprope andstart working onbasics. JUMP ROPE • • • Mission Play ondriveway orany flat surface. Setup TRICK SHOTS VI. Change gripsto create different effects. Practice shotsafter bounce andintheair. Use any partofracquet to hitball. PLAY AT HOME —Create cool shotsonbounce andintheair. NetGeneration.com | 121

RED BALL 2 • • RESPECT II. 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission Two pairspercourt, usinghalf-court. Setup Focus: Type: ACCORDION RALLY I. poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: YOUR RETURN! I CAN SERVE;SHOW ME CHAPTER Support teammates whenthey try theirhardest. Recognize effort inothers. After five successful rallies from baseline, move backinto court—service line, thenmiddleofbox. After five successful rallies, move to service line(without stopping rally), thenbaseline. Rally cooperatively beginningfrom middleofservice box, any stroke. More thanfive rallies. One stroke only. Rally crosscourt. WARMUP CHARACTER —Keep rally goingasplayers move from onespotto next. Cooperative, players inpairs. Groundstroke direction andconsistency. —Keep rally goingfrom different positionson court. 03 Mini-net, cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets; red balls;cones,

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RED BALL 2 Avoid having players usesweeping arms,jumpingup, etc. Note: The throw shouldlookmore like anoverhead motionthanaserve. 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • • • • • Mission • • • Setup TARGET THROWS 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • • • Mission • • Setup POSITIONAL STARTS III. Need help? Players move insidebaselineto throw. or how longittakes to getto asetamountofpoints. See how many pointsplayers canscore inoneminute, value for eachtarget. Assign avalue for throwing into appropriate box anda Switch sidesofcourt after eachthrow. has thrown, otherteam throws. Other team catches balls.Once everyone from first team from adthrow diagonallyover netat targets. Team withballsgoesfirst. Oneplayer from deuce andone and various targets insideevery service box. Place anequalnumberofcones, poly-spots hulahoops Teams onopposite baselines;players ononesideallhave balls. Two teams ofthree orfour percourt. After three rounds from starting position,move onto progressions. Walk backward to starting point. Emphasis isonbig,strong strides anddrivingarms. On coach’s command, getupandrunto far sideline(slow down after crossing line). Players beginontheirstomachs. Players spread outonsideline. Nomore thanfour oneachsideofnet. Move targets to backhalfofservice box. Score pointsonlyfor hittingtargets. Throw into adesignated halfofcourt. Sprint andstop onopposite sidelineinathletic position. Start from sittingposition. Face backward orsideways to start. ATHLETIC SKILLS

• • • • • • movement) execute theprior if player isableto progression only (continue to next Throwing Progression TEACHING TIP most difficult). (this willbethe facing backward hand andballare Palm ofthrowing after release. with armextended Throw isupandout, ground duringthrow. Back toe stays on ahead orup. bent, notstraight in balance position— Non-dominant armis position. 90-degree Throwing arm isin to throw. Turn sideways NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: START ITOUT V. 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: SERVE/RETURN PROGRESSION IV. Play for acertain amountoftimeandtryto beat your record. Pair scores apointfor servingandreturning to specified zone. Returner hits backto server andthey commence acrosscourt rally. Serve to a specificspotinbox, determined by coach. Split eachservice box inhalfvertically. Two pairspercourt, diagonallyacross netfrom eachotherat service line. Use TDLsas“baseline”for players to stand behind. service line. Two pairspercourt, diagonally across netfrom eachotherat Play outpointscompetitively withservers versus returners. Pairs play entire court andreturn must goto aspecificside. Move players backto baselineandrepeat. switch sidesofcourt. four successful sequences. After bothpartnershave served, Serve to partner, whoreturns backto server. Changeroles after Warm upby throwing to partner, whocatches andthrows back. GAMES —Serve withdirection andrecover backto ready positionafter eachshot. —Server returns to ready positionwhenpartnerhitsreturn. TENNIS SKILLS Cooperative, players inpairs. Cooperative, players inpairs;competitive. Serve andreturn direction andconsistency. Direct serve andreturn. —Serve andreturn cooperatively withpartner. —Serve to specifichalfofbox and return to server.

throw well. grip to players who Introduce acontinental TEACHING TIP NetGeneration.com | 124

RED BALL 2 ILLUSTRATION: 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: IN THEFREEZER Play first team to seven, then switch sides. If returner misses, servingteam winspoint.Ifreturn isincourt, returners winpoint. Server aimsaway from returner. Returner isin“freezer,” socan’tmove feet. Two play apointfrom deuce side, thenothertwo from adside. Serve from service line. Two teams oftwo orthree percourt. Onesideserves, otherreturns. score two points. Play outpoints.Ifserver winspoint,servingteam scores onepoint.Ifreturner winspoint,returners Serve from baseline. —Server usesspeedwithcontrol, returner setsupingoodready positionwithwide base. Competitive, team. Directing serve. —Direct serve away from opponent. INTHEFREEZER NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 3. 2. 1. Progressions Play withred foam ballagainst garage doororsolidwall. Setup SERVE ANDRETURNAGAINST WALL Jump rope, working oncool tricks.Coach willaskfor volunteers to demonstrate at next lesson. JUMP ROPE VI. Serve andrally untilyou miss. Serve to leftthenrightsideofwall. Serve overhand to wall, hitonegroundstroke (return) andcatch. PLAY AT HOME NetGeneration.com | 126

RED BALL 2 • • RESPONSIBILITY II. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission Players spread outaround court. Setup Focus: Type: SELF-VOLLEY I. poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: GOTOLET’S NET! CHAPTER Collect your equipmentwhenleaving practice. Be responsible for your equipment at practice. Have players setindividual goalsandtryfor “personalbest.” Encourage acontinental gripandone-handedbackhandfor thosewhoare successful. Hit continuous volleys upintheair. With continental grip, usealittleunderspinoneachvolley. Alternate forehand andbackhandvolleys. WARMUP CHARACTER —Keep ballintheairwithvery littlefoot movement (controlled space). Individual. Volley consistency. —Keep volley goingonbothsides. 04 Mini-net, cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets; red balls;cones, NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • • • Mission • • • Setup HI-LO TOSS 4. 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • • Mission Players spread outonsideline, nomore thanfour oneachsideofnet. Setup NET MOVES III. After four successful hi-locatches, switch roles. Toss second ballhigh. Catch intheairabove waist level andtoss back. Toss to catcher, whocatches withonehandafter bounce andtosses back. One player feeds, othercatches. Players face eachother, four to five feet apart. Maximum four pairs spread outoneachsideofnet. Players inpairswithorange ball. Perform eachmove there andbacktwice before progressing. For more difficult moves, like carioca, startslowly. Coach demonstrates amove andplayers perform move to opposite sidelineandback. Increase distance between players. Move player onbothtosses. Catch withrighthandonside, lefthandon left. Broad jumps Pivots Carioca Side skips,backwards skips ATHLETIC SKILLS pointing upward. waist, withfingers should beabove Catch intheair TEACHING TIP NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 4. 3. 2. 1. Additional Progressions 6. 5. 4. Note: Ifplayers are successful, encourage acontinental gripandone-handedbackhandvolley. 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal Mission • • Setup: Focus: Type: VOLLEY PROGRESSION IV. One feeds, othervolleys. Pairs onopposite sidesaboutfour feet from net. Rally from baselineto net. Volleyer hitsto aspecificsideofhitter. Rally to just onesideofvolleyer. Rally groundstroke to volley. Net player volleys backto partner, whotraps ballandrepeats groundstroke-volley-trap sequence. Player onservice linedrop-hits aforehand groundstroke to netplayer. Now have oneplayer onservice line, otheronopposite sidefour feet from net. Volleyer turnsto repeat sequence withbackhand.Switch roles after five volleys. Volleyer moves handto bottom ofhandleandvolleys backto feeder. Switch after five volleys. out oftheair. Feeder catches after bounce andtosses back.Switch roles after five bumpsback. Volleyer holdsracquet at top ofhandle. Feeder tosses ballto volleyer, whobumpsballbackto feeder —Step withproper foot oneachvolley andreturn backto ready position. TENNIS SKILLS Cooperative, players inpairs. Volley direction. —Build avolley-to-groundstroke rally. NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 ILLUSTRATION: 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: PASS ME V. Play to seven and switch roles. hitting ballpast volleyer withoutvolleyer touching it. Volleyer scores apointfor volleying ballover netandincourt. Passer scores apointby Volleyer drop-hits to passer, whoattempts agroundstroke passing shot. other players are off court at asafe distance. One sidevolleys from middleofservice box, othersidepasses from baseline. Play pointsoneonone; Two teams oftwo orthree onopposite endsofcourt. Passers canlob. Drop-hitters start onservice lineorbaseline. GAMES —After approach, volleyer split-steps oncontact ofpassing shot. Competitive, team. Volleys andpassing shots. —Approach andvolley. PASS ME NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 2. 1. Progressions Mission Play ondriveway orany flat surface. Setup SELF-VOLLEY VI. With continental grip, usealittleunderspinoneachvolley. Alternate forehand andbackhandvolleys. PLAY AT HOME —Keep volley goingonbothsides. NetGeneration.com | 131

RED BALL 2 ILLUSTRATION: • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: NO-NET TENNIS I. cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: I CAN SERVEWHEREIWANT CHAPTER try volleying backandforth intheair. Once you canrally ballbackandforth 10times, racquet andaimingfor poly-spot. Have adinkrally, makingballgoslightlyupoff a poly-spot between them. baseline (thealley ofthe78-foot court), with Pairs are onopposite sidesofservice lineand Up to three pairsoneachsideofnet. WARMUP Cooperative, players inpairs. Groundstroke andvolley consistency. —Perform different typesof rallies. 05 NO-NETTENNIS Mini-net, cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets; red balls;

dice to determine how many ballsto hit. Note: This isagreat timeto useadeckofcards or • • 2. 1. Progressions and follow-through. Goal softly. Need help? Oneplayer tosses, othervolleys back and tapsbackat shoulderlevel. Next, onesidedink-volleys, otherletsitbounce or crosscourt anddown theline. Use patterns suchasforehand-to-forehand and groundstroke. Use continental gripfor dinkvolley —Rally insmallspace withlimited backswing NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission Players spread outalongfence. Setup VERTICAL JUMP 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission Players spread outoncourt, nomore thanfour oneachsideofnet. Setup COPY CAT III. Follow rulesofthegamesandactivitiesat practice. PLAY FAIR II. Land inanathletic stance, asquietlypossible. Jump vertically ashighpossible asifattempting to grab arebound inbasketball. Players copy, usingshadow strokes. Coach demonstrates aspecificmovement. landing inanathletic position,keeps feet onground andchest passes to partner, whorepeats. Players inpairs, facing eachotherwithonebigball.Onejumpsupballfullyextended above head.After Stand facing fence, tryingto touch ashighyou can. Try to beat your record eachtime. pivots andcarioca. Drop-step, crossover andrunfor overhead. Complementary skill: Complementary skill:sideskips. Coach demonstrates anapproach shotoffoffront foot. Hop-move approach (left-leftorright-right).Lineupacross baseline. back to middle. Complementary skill:carioca. to sideline, shadow-strokes, performs acrossover andshuffles Crossover recovery. Lineupfrom netto behindbaseline. Coach runs CHARACTER ATHLETIC SKILLS

remain patient! sure to goslowly and them at first, somake will struggle with movements. Players tennis-specific These are allimportant TEACHING TIP NetGeneration.com | 133

RED BALL 2 2. 1. Progressions • • • • • Mission • • Setup BOX THROWS Need help? Move insidebaselineto throw, allow catcher multiplebounces. Use ascoring system that rewards players for throwing incorrect box andcatching ballafter onebounce. from othersideofcourt. After two rounds ofthrowing, rotate returners. After acomplete rotation, serve/throw Returner catches, andafter everyone hasserved/thrown, tosses ballsback. From baseline, servers throw ballover netdiagonallyinto appropriate service box. Each team hastwo orthree servers—each withonered ball—andonereturner onothersideofnet. Players inteams ofthree orfour. to score apoint. Divide returners andservers evenly onbothsidesandperform athrow-catch-throw backsequence Split service box inhalfwithTDLsandthrow to aspecificsideofbox. NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 ILLUSTRATION: 2. 1. Progressions and gobackto ready positionafter hitting. Goal • • • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: IN THEZONE IV. Score apointfor eachcompleted sequence. Serve from adsideafter players complete bothpatterns. Next pattern isserve down theTandreturn down theline. Switch roles after four sequences. return crosscourt, thenstop. Next two players come upandrepeat. Two players at atime, oneshoteach.Serve outwidefrom deuce court, Service boxes splitinhalfvertically withTDLs. Two pairspercourt, partners onopposite baselines. Serve andreturn pattern, thenplay outpoint. Serve, return andhitnext two ballsinapattern. —Stay consistent withserve andreturn setup(routine), TENNIS SKILLS Cooperative, players inpairs. Direction onserve andreturn. —Serve andreturn inspecificpatterns. INTHEZONE

throwing motion. working ontheir repetition and demonstration, serve through will learntheoverhand explanation. Most kids give alengthy down inpartsand to break theserve Avoid thetemptation TEACHING TIP NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Setup SERVE PLUS ONE VI. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: BACKHAND ATTACK V. Put amarkondoor/wallPut oruseexisting mark. Play withred foam ballagainst garage doororsolidwall. Need help? Start pointwithdrop-hit, underhandserve, orthrow. Change roles after seven points.Usevisualscoring withhalf-cones onsideofcourt. also receives apoint. If player returns serve with backhand,servingteam receives abonuspoint.Player whowinsrally between singleslineandcenter mark.Server aimsfor opponent’s backhand. Returner must stand behindapoly-spot orTDLpositionedbehindbaselineandhalfway Play outpoint,starting withserve. One sideserves, otherreturns. Two teams oftwo orthree. Serve andrally untilyou miss. Stand to rightorleftofmark,serve to target, move andhitgroundstroke. Serve overhand to target, hitonegroundstroke to sametarget. Must play server’s second ballto adesignated side. Aim for opponent’s forehand. GAMES —Make returner stretch for serve, lookto take advantage onnext shot. PLAY AT HOME Competitive, team. Serve direction. —Serve to backhand. NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 III. • • PLAY FAIR II. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission Players spread outaround court. Setup Focus: Type: SELF-VOLLEY I. poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: GOTOLET’S NET…AGAIN! CHAPTER Call shotsin/out honestly. Keep track ofscore duringgame. Set agoalandtryfor a “personalbest.” Encourage acontinental gripandone-handedbackhandfor thosewhoare successful. Hit continuous volleys upintheair, bothforehands andbackhands. Alternate forehand andbackhandvolleys. One stroke only(all forehands orallbackhands). WARMUP CHARACTER —Use spinonballwithcontinental grip. ATHLETIC SKILLS Individual. Volley consistency. —Keep volley goingonbothsides. 06 Mini-net,cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets; red balls;cones, NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • • Mission • • Setup SHUFFLE TOSS 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission • • Setup MACHINERHYTHM 4. 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission Players spread outonsideline, nomore thanfour oneachsideofnet. Setup SKIPPING (MULTIDIRECTIONAL) Need help? Start by bouncingballbackandforth. Can usetwo handsat first to getrhythm. who catches andbounces itback. Shuffle from sideline tosidelinewhilebouncingball downward (palm down) topartner, Start onsideline, facing eachotherwithone red ball. Three orfour pairsoneachsideofnet. Once you getrhythm, continue patty-caking whileshuffling toopposite sidelineandback. Start withbasic“patty-cake.” Pairs start onsideline, facing eachother. Three orfour pairsoneachsideofnet. Do two rounds andmove to next progression. Skip to opposite sidelineandback. Partners useopposite hands. Left handonly, right handonly. Bounce withonehand, usinganorange ball. Shorten distance andgobackforth. while shuffling toopposite sidelineand back. Create different clappingsequences while standing still. Once you get your rhythm, dosame Backward skip. Sideways skip. Low skip. High-knee skip. NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 3. 2. 1. Progressions with softhandonsecond. Goal • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: CLOSE THENET IV. After sixattempts, players changeroles. After acomplete rotation, switch to backhandside. who catches after bounce. Volleyer anglessecond ballshort andaway from feeder. Feeder tosses two ballsto volleyer’s forehand side. Volleyer hitsfirst back to feeder, Volleyer drop-hits balldown theline, moves to netanddoesasplit-step, ready to volley. Volleyer starts onservice line, feeder inmiddleofservice box. Players inpairsonhalf-court. Onevolleys, otherfeeds. Rally allballsafter drop-hit. Feeder traps approach withracquet, drop-hits andtraps again. Feeder tosses sameballbackfor onemore volley. Feeder catches approach shotandtosses backto volleyer, whovolleys itback to feeder. —Adjust motionontwo volleys: Extend outward for first volley, thenangle racquet TENNIS SKILLS Cooperative, players inpairs. Approach andvolley withdirection. —Perform approach, split-step andtwo volleys.

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RED BALL 2 • • Setup Focus: Type: PASS ME V. Play pointsoneonone, withotherplayers off court at asafe distance. Two teams oftwo to three; volleyers onservice lineononesideofnet,passers onbaselineother. GAMES Competitive, team. Volleys andpassing shots. will roll into thefence instead ofonto anadjacent court. feeding drills,putthetosser onthesamesideasfence soballsbeinghit Whenever possible, setupyour 36-foot courts withafence ononeside. For COURT CENTS: UPCOURTS SETTING NetGeneration.com | 140

RED BALL 2 3. 2. 1. Progressions Play withred foam ballagainst garage doororsolidwall. Setup VOLLEY TO WALL once, makingacomplete(jump loopwithrope). Have someoneshow you somejump-rope tricks.By now, everyone shouldbeableto dosinglejumps JUMP ROPE VI. 2. 1. Progressions for passing shot. Goal • • • Mission Play to seven andswitch roles. getting ballpast netplayer. Net player scores for volleying passing shotover netorsimplytouching ballwithracquet. Passer scores by Volleyer drop-hits crosscourt to passer andcomes to net.Passer attempts adown-the-line passing shot. Play withafriendandalternate hits,orvolley backandforth inthe airwithoutawall. One stroke, thenalternate. Volley against wall intheair. Passers canplay down thelineorcrosscourt onfirst ball. Start withdrop-hit from baselineandcome to net. —Volleyer plays crosscourt approach andcovers line;passer setsupwithgoodshoulderturn PLAY AT HOME —Control direction ofpassing shot. NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 • • TEAMWORK II. 2. 1. Progressions Goal Note: This isagreat timeto useadeckofcards ordice to determine how many ballsto hit. • • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: NO-NET TENNIS I. cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: PLAYING FROMTHEBASELINE CHAPTER Help othersto improve. Be acaringteammate. Need help? Oneplayer tosses, othervolleys backsoftly. Next, onesidedink-volleys, otherletsitbounce and taps backat shoulderlevel. Once you canrally ballbackandforth 10times,tryvolleying backandforth intheair. Have adinkrally, makingballgoslightlyupoff racquet andaiming for poly-spot. Pairs face eachotheronopposite sidesofservice lineandbaselinewithapoly-spot between them. Up to three pairsoneachsideofnet. crosscourt anddown theline. Use patterns suchasforehand-to-forehand or Use continental gripfor dink-volley andgroundstroke. WARMUP CHARACTER —Rally insmallspace withlimited backswing andfollow-through. Cooperative, players inpairs. Groundstroke andvolley consistency. —Perform different typesof rallies. 07 Mini-net,cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets; red ballsandorange balls;

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RED BALL 2 • • • • • Mission • • Setup BALANCE WARS 2. 1. Progressions • • • • Mission • • • • • Setup MAKE ’EMMOVE III. Play for setnumberofrounds. Keep score andswitch partnersat intervals. Once aplayer wins,switch to leftfoot andrighthand resume play. First player to losebalance ortouch otherfoot to ground loses. Linked viatennis ball,battle eachotherfor balance withouthopping. Pairs stand onrightfoot facing eachotherandholdingonto samered ballwithlefthand. One red ballperpair. Up to four pairsoneachsideofnet. Switch roles every minute. Feeder makes catcher move by tossing ballssideto side, high/low anddeep/short. Catcher usesrighthandon rightside, lefthandonleft. and recovers to homebase. Feeder tosses ballto onesideofcatcher, whocatches withonehand,tosses backto feeder Catcher usesTDLas“home base.” One player feeds, othercatches. Players face eachother, five to six feet apart. No more thanthree pairsspread outoneachsideofnet. Players inpairs,withorange ballandTDL. Increase distance between feeder andcatcher. Require aspecific stance (open orsquare) andcatching hand. ATHLETIC SKILLS NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 ILLUSTRATION: Goal • • • • • • Mission • • Setup SELF-TOSS HI-LO Focus: Type: SELF-TOSS ANDPARTNER TOSS HI/LO IV. Need help? Coach helpswithtoss. For backhand,self-toss withdominanthandandplace handbackonracquet after toss. After four successful sequences withforehand, switch to backhand. Second toss isupandinfront. Drive ballstraight aheadto corner target. First toss ishighandslightlybackward. Lob ballover netto center target. Set upsameway asdrop-hit, except tossing armispalmup. Place onebigtarget inmiddleofcourt, two more ineachcorner. Two pairspercourt—two hitters inservice boxes ononesideofnet,two waiting ondeck. —Adjust swing according to location andheight ofshot. TENNIS SKILLS Cooperative, players inpairs. High-low forehand andbackhandgroundstrokes. —Control ballhighandlow. SELFTOSS HI/LO NetGeneration.com | 144

RED BALL 2 ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions recover backto center after eachball. Goal • • • • • Mission Same asabove. Setup PARTNER TOSS HI-LO Need help? Feeder stands to sideofplayer. Complete four successful sequences eachandswitch to backhand. Hitter plays lob/drive combination to targets. Toss first feed slightlyabove hitter’shead,second ballhighandshort. Feeder at netonsamesideas hitter; hitter inmiddleofservice box. Feed withracquet from opposite sideofnet. Move players closerto baseline. Toss/self-toss higherandfurtherbackondeepball. —Adjust swing according to location andheightofshot, PARTNER TOSS HI/LO

new skill. feed orintroduce a demonstrate aproper hitter work harder, and feed to make the may want to step in At times,thecoach TEACHING TIP NetGeneration.com | 145

RED BALL 2 ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: KEEP AWAY V. Play first to seven (usevisualscore) and switch players after game, ifnecessary. Play pointsstarting withaserve. Lose apointifyou hittwice inthemiddle. This area willbeknown middle.” as“the Use TDLsto make abigsquare around center markofbaselineineachbackcourt. Two teams oftwo orthree onopposite sidesofnet. Bonus pointifopponentmoves outsidesideline. Just oneserve. Can’t hitany ballsinthemiddle. GAMES —After serve andreturn, step into court anddrive ballto corners oruseshorter angles. Competitive, team. Usingwidthongroundstrokes. —Keep balloutofthemiddle. KEEPAWAY

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RED BALL 2 2. 1. Progressions Play ondriveway orany flat surface. Setup RALLY WITHAFRIEND VI. Create acourt, thenchangesize. Hit withany stroke, onestroke, alternating strokes. PLAY AT HOME

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RED BALL 2 • • RESPECT II. Trick shotswithpartner. Progression • • • Mission Players spread outaround court. Setup Focus: Type: TRICK SHOTS I. poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: PLAY!LET’S CHAPTER Look your opponentintheeye whenshakinghands. Introduce yourself to opponentbefore play. Use different grips to create different effects. Can hitafter bounce orintheair. Use any partofracquet to hitball. WARMUP CHARACTER Individual. Becreative! —Show coach what you cando. 08 Mini-net, cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets: red balls;cones, new ones.These tricks andcreating keep working ontheir Challenge kidsto TEACHING TIP more creative game. and willtranslate to a better racquet skills activities develop NetGeneration.com |

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RED BALL 2 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: CARD SHARK IV. 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission • • Setup RELAY RACES III. Need help? Drop-hit andtrap orany stroke isfine. play for designated time. Create scoring that letsplayers compete asagroup (play untilallcards are gone), orseparate teams and Players rally numberoftimesindicated by card, withcorrect stroke, thenholdonto card andpickanother. One player from eachpairpicksacard andrunsbackto spot. Use allcards; joker iswild. Coach hasa deck ofcards andwillestablish acolor for eachstroke (e.g., red card isforehand). Two pairspercourt, usinghalf-court andhittingfrom service line. Next player goeswhentagged;must start behindsideline. When coach says “Go,” first player runs to opposite sidelineandback. Teams start onsidelinesinastraight line. Two teams offour to sixoneachsideofnet. Rally crosscourt withoutsidestroke. Move players back. Change starting position(backturned,sittingdown, etc.). Add aballandrequire anadditionaltask(players pick). Players pickwhichmovement to use. —Keep rally goingwithgoodfootwork (one stroke only). ATHLETIC SKILLS TENNIS SKILLS Team, competition withcooperative skills,players inpairs. Groundstroke consistency. —Rally samenumberofballsasoncard. NetGeneration.com | 149

RED BALL 2 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: TAG-TEAM SINGLES 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal— • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: KEEP AWAY V. Need help? Useservice lineasbaseline, give players two tries. Try to setateam record. Each subsequentplayer hitsoneballandmoves to endofline, keeping pointgoinguntilsomeonemisses. First player onothersidereturns balldown center andgoesto endofline. First player from onesidedrop-hits ballover netandmoves to endofline. Boundaries are court lines. Split players into two groups, witheach group forming alinebehindmiddleofeach baseline. Minimum four players. Play first to seven (usevisualscore) and switch players after game, ifnecessary. Play pointsstarting withaserve. Lose apointifyou hittwice inthemiddle. This area willbeknown middle.” as“the Use TDLsto make abigsquare around center markofbaselineineachbackcourt. Two teams oftwo orthree onopposite sidesofnet. Only onestroke. Play competitively, where ballishitanywhere incourt. Courts compete for longest rally. Bonus pointifopponentmoves outsidesideline. Just oneserve. Can’t hitany ballsinthemiddle. GAMES —Control balldown center ofcourt. Cooperative team, competitive team. Competitive, team. After serve andreturn, step into court anddrive ballto corners oruseshorter angles. Directing groundstrokes. Using widthongroundstrokes. —Keep balloutofthemiddle. —Keep rally going!

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RED BALL 2 Contact your district orsectionoffice if youdon’t have aleaguein your area. By now, players are ready to joinateam, especiallyifthey’ve beento aPlay Day. PLAY JUNIORTEAMTENNIS VI. PLAY AT HOME

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RED BALL 1 more pointplay at theend. a dynamicwarmup at thebeginning and If practice islongerthan60minutes, add have players come early. dynamic warmup to thelesson planor If practice is60minutes, addashort NOTES: PLANS ATPLANS AGLANCE • • • • • Total: 60minutes SAMPLE LESSON PLAN Develop amore complete gameonthe36-foot court. OBJECTIVE Play at Home:3minutes orless 15–20minutesGames: Skills (athletic andtennis): 25–30minutes Character: 3minutes orless Warmup: 6–8minutes © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 153

RED BALL 1 Warmup Character Athletic Skills Tennis Skills Development Games Play at Home

01 Figure 8 Respect Jump Rope to Skip Loops Triangles Capture the Cone Best Rally Rally with My Partner Shuffle Toss Point Play

Make ’em Move

02 Quicksand Effort Obstacle Course Angle/Down-the-Line Combo Sideliner Make It Jump How Do You Hit Topspin? Compass Jumps Self-Toss, Partner Toss

Four-Corner Toss

03 Bounce Volley Positivity Positional Starts Slice and Dice 7 Up Slice Rally I Can Slice Line Jumps Four-Square

Grab and Throw

04 Mini-Tennis Positivity Let’s March Squeeze Rally Capture the Cone: First Four Over and Under Rally Games Prone Extensions

Quarterback

05 Opposites Independence Serpentine Shuffle Slice and Dice Serve Serve Pyramids Slice Serve and Spin My Serve Rally to Wall Agility Ladder Point Play

06 Figure 8 Independence Figure 8 Cone Weaves Figure 8 Volleys Pass Me Trick Shots Up in the Air Vertical Jumps Close the Net

Hi-Lo Toss

07 Mini-Tennis Independence Jump Rope to Skip Loops Hi-Lo Island Tennis Mini-Tennis Groundstrokes, Volleys, Overheads, Shuffle Toss & Serves, Oh My! Three-Ball Throw

08 Mini-Tennis Hi-Lo Respect Big-Ball Tennis Squeeze Rally Sideliner Play a Tournament Check Out My Skills

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RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: • • • Mission • Setup Focus: Type: FIGURE 8 I. cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: RALLY WITHMYPARTNER CHAPTER from baseline. Two minutes ineachpattern, thensame using outsidestroke. Move partneronlyafew feet to rightandleft other hitscrosscourt. Rally cooperatively; onesidehitsdown theline, start onservice lines. Two pairspercourt, usinghalf-court. Players WARMUP Cooperative, players inpairs.

Changeofdirection ongroundstrokes. —Change direction onevery ball. 01 FIGURE8 Mini-net,cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets, red ballsandorange balls;

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RED BALL 1 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • • Mission • • Setup SHUFFLE TOSS 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission • • Setup Note: JUMP ROPETO SKIPLOOPS III. by treating everyone equally. Respect teammates andopponents RESPECT II. Need help? Usebothhands. After two successful timesto sidelineandback,toss andcatch intheair. catching between bounces. Useonlyonehandto bounce andcatch—either hand. While shuffling from sideline tosideline, bounce ball downward (palm down) backand forthwithpartner, Pairs onsideline facing eachother, withoneorange ball. Three to four pairson eachsideofnet. Make sure path involves moving forward, sideways andeven backward. to move alongdesignated path. Once players have established abaselineofjumpingrope inplace (single jumps), they canbegin Set upasimplepath for players to follow, suchaslinesofcourt orcones andmarkers. Each player withjumprope. Alternate two straight onbounce, two straight intheair. Different handthanpartner. Left handonly, right handonly. Move forward by jogging. Move forward by jumping. CHARACTER ATHLETIC SKILLS Have eachplayer bringajumprope to practice, orprovide one.

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RED BALL 1 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: TRIANGLES IV. 2. 1. Progressions • • • • • Mission • • • • • Setup MAKE ’EMMOVE After four successful sequences, rotate positions. Two players hitrightbackto singleplayer. Single player alternates shotsto two players. Any player starts rally with drop-hit. Two players ononesideofnet,other. Allplayers onbaseline. of three ononecourt. Players ingroups ofthree. Ifnecessary, canhave two groups Need help? Move closertogether. Switch roles every minute. Once successful, toss ballsslightlyabove catcher’s head.Catch one-handedintheair. Catch withrighthandon rightside, lefthandonleft. and recover to homebase. Make catcher move by tossing ballssideto side, high/low anddeep/short. Catch ononebounce Catcher usesTDLas“home base.” One feeds, othercatches. Pairs face eachother, four to sixfeet apart. Maximum three pairsspread outoneachsideofnet. Players inpairs,withorange ballandTDL. Two players hitonlytheiroutsidestroke. Single player hits allforehands, thenallbackhands. Move farther apart. For highball,catch withopposite foot andhand. TENNIS SKILLS —Recover according to direction ofshot. Cooperative, groups ofthree. Changeofdirection andoff-center recovery. —Alternate shotsleftandright.

© 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com to recover properly. give singleplayer time drop-hit andtrap to necessary, have players should recover. If indicate where they poly-spots orTDLs to to singleplayer. Use off-center recovery activity isto teach The purpose ofthis TEACHING TIP

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RED BALL 1 • • Progressions Play withred foam ballagainst garage doororsolidwall. Setup BEST RALLY VI. Goal • • • Mission • • Setup Note: Whenever there’s timeleft,orpractice lasts 90minutes, addpointplay. POINT PLAY 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: CAPTURE THECONE V. Do samewithafriendand hituntilyou miss. Serve to wall, thenrally for numbers.Try to setapersonalbest. Switch servers after gameends. Play onepointandrotate ifthree players perteam, two pointsandrotate iftwo perteam. Play outgamesasateam. One team serves, otherreturns. Two teams oftwo orthree, usingfullcourt. Switch servingteams after eachgame. Play gamesby time, team withmost cones wins,orteam withallcones wins. Winner ofpointrunsto othersideofcourt and“captures acone” for team, thennext players onteams go. Returner scores by executing return to designated side. Winner ofpointalsoscores. Returner pickssidebefore pointstarts. Play outpointswithone serve. Both teams have five to seven cones linedupontheirside, off court bynet. Two teams oftwo orthree onfullcourt. Players pickpattern. Must serve to designated halfofbox. GAMES —Apply day’s themeto pointplay (change ofdirection). —Take return earlyto putpressure onserver. PLAY AT HOME Competitive, team. Changing direction onreturn ofserve. —Move opponentwithreturn. —Play pointswithserve andreturn. © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 158

RED BALL 1 • • EFFORT II. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: QUICKSAND I. cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: HOW DOYOU HITTOPSPIN? CHAPTER Never give up;new skillstake timeandpatience. Try hard. First pairto place four ballswins. Once pairscomplete specifiednumberofshots,they place aballin their scoring area. Pairs rally for aspecificnumberofshots.Must stay behindbaseline; inside court isquicksand. Start withtwo-minute warmup onservice line, thenmove backto baseline. Each pairhasdesignated area at netfor scoring. Two pairspercourt, usinghalf-court. Allplayers behindbaseline. change direction andkeep balldeep. Same activitywiththree players (triangles). Singleplayer must Start withrally offour shots,thenfive, etc. WARMUP CHARACTER —Hit highwithspinsoballstays deep. Cooperative, players inpairs. Depthongroundstrokes. —Keep balldeep. 02 Mini-net,cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets, red ballsandorange balls;

RED BALL 1 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission • • Setup OBSTACLE COURSE III. After eachplayer hasgonetwice, changemovement. reaches second cone. Proceed from cone to cone usingdifferent movements. Next player goeswhenprevious player Three orfour players persquare. Use four cones to create one12x12-foot square incenter ofcourt oneachsideofnet. Sprint. Runto cone andstop, balancingononeleg;runto next cone andstop, balancingonotherleg. Skip. Changedirection at eachcone—forward, sideways, backward, sideways. Carioca. Alternate facing inandfacing outat eachcone. ATHLETIC SKILLS © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

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RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission • • Setup COMPASS JUMPS Jump around compass three timesinsamedirection. Stand incenter ofcones andjumpto eachcone, jumpingbackto center eachtime. Players ingroups oftwo orthree per“compass.” about two feet from center. Place four cones inasquare to represent north,south,east andwest. Cones shouldbe Jump ononelegcontinuously. Jump ononeleg,pausingafter eachjump. Change directions. COMPASS JUMPS © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

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RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: 2. 1. Progressions • • • • Mission • • Setup FOUR-CORNER TOSS from leftto righthand. Once successful, addasecond ball,continuing to bounce ballto partnerwithright handandtransfer ball Toss andcatch ballto sideofbody. Partner passes ballfrom lefthandto right,andbounces itdownward backto player’s lefthand.Repeat. after bounce withlefthand. Player bounces aballdownward (palmdown) withrighthandto partner, whocatches Pairs face eachotheraboutfour feet apart,withfour orange balls. Maximum four pairsoneachsideofnet. Introduce lateral movement whilebouncingballs. Add athird ball,thenafourth. FOUR-CORNERTOSS © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

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RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: Goal • • • • • Mission • • • • • Setup ANGLE/DOWN-THE-LINE SELF-TOSS Focus: Type: ANGLE/DOWN-THE-LINE COMBO(SELF-TOSS ANDPARTNER TOSS) IV. Need help? Start insidebaselinewitheasierself-toss. Score apointfor eachtarget hit.Play two-minute games,pickupballsandchangepartners. For backhand,self-toss withdominanthand,thenplace handbackonracquet. Second self-toss insamespot.Drive balldown thelineto corner target, thenpartner hits. First self-toss isupandinfront ofbaseline. Hitshortcrosscourt angleandrecover behindbaseline. One sidehitsforehands, otherhitsbackhands. Hitters’ partnersare safe distance behindthem. One hitter from eachpaironeithersideofcenter mark,withtwo ballseach. Place targets inservice box corners anddeepcorners. Two pairsonsamesideofnetat baseline. Onepairondeuce side, otheronad. TENNIS SKILLS —Use spinonangleshotto make balldrop quicklyover net. Hand-feed, players inpairs. Creating widthongroundstrokes. —Hit shortangleanddown-the-line combination. ANGLE/DOWN-THE-LINE COMBO(SELF-TOSS) © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 163

RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • • • ANGLE/DOWN-THE-LINE PARTNER TOSS Need help? Feeder stands to sideofplayer. pick upballsandchangepartners. Score apointfor eachtarget hit.Play two-minute games, Complete four successful sequences eachandswitch sides. Toss second ballto samespot;hitter plays deepdown theline. and recovers. Toss first ballwideinmidcourt; hitter plays topspin angle Feeder at netonopposite side, hitter onbaseline. Must hittarget for sequence to count. Coach feeds. Racquet-feed to hitter. —Use sameshoulderturnfor eachshotto helpwithdisguise. ANGLE/DOWN-THE-LINE COMBO(PARTNER TOSS)

RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: SIDELINER V. First team to seven wins. Rotate players after eachpoint. Score onepointfor winningthepointandoneeachtimeyou force opponentoutsidesideline. Start pointswithaserve. Players must usetheiroutsidestrokes. Play allpointscrosscourt. Canplay two pointsat sametime. Use extra TDLsto splitcourt inhalf. Two teams ofthree orfour onopposite sidesofnet. Play fullcourt. Use insidestroke only. GAMES —Use spinto move balloff court. Competitive, team. Move opponentusingwidth. —Move opponentbeyond sideline. SIDELINER © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

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RED BALL 1 • • • Mission Play withred foam ballagainst garage doororsolidwall. Setup MAKE ITJUMP VI. Focus onforehand side, thenbackhand. Keep ballgoing,tryingto make it“jump”by hittingexcessive topspin. Start withtopspin feed to wall. PLAY AT HOME —Use topspin to make ball“jump”off wall. © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 166

RED BALL 1 • • POSITIVITY II. 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: BOUNCE VOLLEY I. cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: I CAN SLICE CHAPTER Come upwithyour own positive self-talk. Practice positive self-talksuchas“Iwillget this”or“Icandothis.” First backhands, thenforehands. Feeder catches ballandfeeds second balllow. Hitter “volleys” back after bounce. Feed first ballas volley. Using continental grip, hitter dinks volley back to feeder. Two hitters inmiddleofservice box, feeders at netonsameside withoneballeach. Two pairspercourt, usinghalf-court. Rally slice to slice. Feeder moves to othersideofnet. Hit allballsafter bounce. WARMUP CHARACTER —For slice, make ball“stop” when itbounces. Hand-feed, players inpairs. Introduce slice. —Hit easy slice to partner. 03 Mini-net,cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets; red ballsandorange balls; © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 167

RED BALL 1 2. 1. Progressions • • • • Mission Players inpairs,spread outaround court, next to aline. Setup LINE JUMPS 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • • Mission • • Setup POSITIONAL STARTS III. Switch legsafter eachround. Do four jumps andswitch withpartner. Players shouldjump, pauseandjumpbackagain. Jump over linelaterally, ononefoot. Backpedal to starting point. Emphasis isonbig,strong strides anddrivingarms. in athletic stance. and oncoach’s command, sprintandstop onopposite sideline Players start invarious positionsofcoach’s choosing, Up to four oneachsideofnet. Players spread outonsideline Jump continuously two, thenfour timesstraight inarow. Jump front andback. Stop onopposite baseline, balancingononeleg. Start backward inathletic position. Start sideways inathletic position.Face adifferent direction eachtime. ATHLETIC SKILLS

© 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com and crossover. use adrop-step (pivot) groundstrokes), players overheads anddeep (as they would for When runningbackward lead withoutsidefoot. balls, players needto When goingfor wide TEACHING TIP 168

RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: • • • Mission • • • Setup GRAB ANDTHROW After bothballsare caught,othersidegrabs andthrows. Players onopposite sidecatch after bounce. Grab balloffground andthrow upandout over netinonemotion. Start sideways to netwithbothballscloseto backfoot. Each player onstarting sidehastwo orange balls. Three players oneachsideofnet,spread outalongservice lines. GRABANDTHROW © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com the net. the ballupandover a legdrive to throw and thennaturally use up theball(withtilt), to benddown to pick a serve. Players have a great simulation for “Grab andThrow” is TEACHING TIP

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RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission Players spread outaround court withenoughspace. Setup Focus: Type: SLICE ANDDICE IV. Start withonebypass; after afew successes, dotwo. Ball shouldcome upoff racquet. Let ballbounce and“bypass” ballwithracquet face parallel to ground, creating underspin. Using continental grip, work onself-rally onforehand side. Rally withpartnerinsmallspace. Alternate forehands andbackhands. All backhands. TENNIS SKILLS —Achieve multiplebypasses (four, five ormore). Individual,cooperative inpairs. Forehand andbackhandslice. —Self-rally withunderspin. SLICEANDDICE © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

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RED BALL 1 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: 7 UP V. Attempt to rally seven straight balls. Must letballbounce andusecontinental grip. Non-dominanthandshouldbeonthroat. Alternate starting rally withdrop-hit. Players start onopposite service lines. Two pairspercourt, using half-court. All backhands,thenallforehands. then switch partners. Get competitive. Ballmust come upoff racquet to encourage touch. First to seven points wins, GAMES —Keep non-dominanthandonracquet throat. Cooperative to competitive. Forehand andbackhandslice. —Rally slices. © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

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RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: 2. 1. Progressions Goal • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: FOUR-SQUARE Play pointsstarting withserve. After serve, can’thitinto samesquare two timesinarow. Divide court into four equalsquares usingTDLsorpoly-spots. Four players percourt for cooperative; upto five orsix for competitive. Require slice for shortboxes. Move to competitive, attempting to winpoint. Start withcooperative, keeping rally goingwithouthittingto samesquare two timesinarow. —Use deep/short combinations. Cooperative orcompetitive, partnerorteam. Deep/short andsideto side. —Move opponentsideto sideanddeep/short. FOUR-SQUARE 2 1 3 4 3 4 © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 2 1

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RED BALL 1 3. 2. 1. Progressions Play ondriveway orany flat surface. Setup SLICE RALLY VI. Play outpointswithboundaries. Mix involleys andslice. Hit any stroke, onestroke, alternating strokes. PLAY AT HOME

RED BALL 1 III. Smile andshow you enjoy playing tennis. POSITIVITY II. 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission Two pairspercourt, usinghalf-court. Players inservice boxes. Setup Focus: Type: MINI-TENNIS I. and smallfootballs; cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: RALLY GAMES CHAPTER Need help? Hand-feed volley and slice withpartner. Next, volley to volley. Next, oneplayer at net,otherinmiddleofservice box. Dinkslice to volley, thenswitch. Pairs rally over netfrom middleofservice box usingdinkslice withcontinental grip. Alternate strokes. One stroke only. Crosscourt. WARMUP CHARACTER —Keep non-dominanthandonthroat for ready positionafter slices andvolleys. ATHLETIC SKILLS Cooperative, players inpairs. Direction, spin. —Keep ballgoingwithcontinental grip. 04 Mini-net, cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets; red balls,orange balls © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

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RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: • • • • Mission Players spread outaround court, upto sixoneach sideofnet. Setup PRONE EXTENSIONS 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • • • Mission Players spread outonsideline, upto four oneachsideofnet. Setup MARCH! LET’S Hold for three seconds up, three seconds down. Raise armsandupperbodyupward asfar aspossible withoutstraining orliftinglegsoffground. Toes touch andheelsrotate outward. Iffoot positioningisanissue, pointtoes straight to ground. Lie onground inprone position(on stomach) witharmsextended, to form a“Y”withyour body. Do eachmovement at least twice before progressing. If players struggle, move backto earlier progression. to opposite sidelineandback. Have players practice movement whileinplace. Ifthey’re successful, have themperform movement Demonstrate eachmovement to players. to risingleg.Let armsfall to sideafter eachtouch. Straight-leg march withone-handtouch. Players march withstraight legsandtouch withopposite hand Arms stay bententire time. Bent knees/arms march. March withbentkneeandalternate touching withopposite fist. with bothhands(palmsdown). Bent-knee march, two-hand touch. March withbentkneeandalternate touching risingknee PRONEEXTENSIONS © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

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RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. prior movement. Note: Continue to next progression onlyifplayer isableto execute 2. 1. Progressions Play catch withpartner. When throwing, work onspirals. Mission do station work. Note: Ifthere aren’t enoughfootballs, usetennis ballsorhave players • • Setup QUARTERBACK Pairs are onopposite sidelineswithonefootball. Up to three pairsoneachsideofnet. when behindhead. Same preparation, butthistime, pointfront tipofballbackward at 90degrees withballbehindhead. Front armisbent,parallel to ground, withhandto side. Backarmis Turn to sidewithbothhandsonball,thenseparate hands/arms. throwing armupandto side, armbentat 90degrees. Start facing forward withbothhandsonball.Turn sideways with set andthrow. Add movement like aquarterback—face forward, turnandrunback, Add distance. QUARTERBACK © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com appropriately. challenge eachplayer so make sure you basic progressions, family. These are own withfriendsor to throw ontheir and encourage them with thebeginners before. Stay patient have thrown afootball Many players willnever TEACHING TIP 176

RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: SQUEEZE RALLY IV. Players continue untilboundary istoo narrow. Then move TDLsinoneracquet length. Rally four balls(two each)inboundaryandyell “Squeeze!” Start arally withastraight-ahead serve andreturn. wide aseightfeet. courts. Dependingonlevel ofplayers, eachcourt canbeginas Place TDLsparallel to eachotherto create two rectangular Start withsidelineasoneboundaryandTDLsother. baselines withtwo TDLseach. Two pairspercourt, using half-court. Players onopposite Use dice orcards to determine numberofshots. Hit specific strokes suchasslice or topspin only. Increase numberofshots required. TENNIS SKILLS —Extend follow-through to helpdirect ballinto boundaries. Cooperative, players inpairs. Direction ongroundstrokes. —Control rally withincourt boundaries. SQUEEZERALLY © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com how they respond. “impossible” andsee the next distance is capability, tell them the edgeoftheir After they’ve reached Kids like achallenge. TEACHING TIP 177

RED BALL 1 2. 1. Progressions Mission • • Setup OVER ANDUNDER VI. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • • Scoring • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: CAPTURE THECONE:FIRST FOUR V. Can play withpartnerondriveway orany flat surface. Play withred foam ballagainst garage doororsolidwall. Switch servingteams after eachgame. Play gamesby time, team withmost cones wins,orteam withallcones wins. Once pointends,player runsto othersideto capture proper numberofcones. On second serve, onlyreturner canscore—one for executing first two shotsandone for winning point. On first serve, onlyserver canscore—one for executing first two shotsandone forwinningpoint. For second serve, returner hitsto opposite sideofserver, andthento otherside. Play outpoint. Encourage server to take return ontherise. Play outfull-court pointswithserve. Onfirst serve, server must hit return to open court, thenplay outpoint. Both teams have five to seven cones linedupontheirside, outsideof court by net. Two teams oftwo orthree percourt. Alternate slice and topspin. Rally, mixinginslice andtopspin. Players pickpattern. Must serve to designated halfofbox. GAMES —Take ballontheriseto applypressure. PLAY AT HOME Competitive, team. Serve andreturn patterns. —Move opponentwithcombinations ofshots. —Use topspin andslice. © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 178

RED BALL 1 Prepare your own equipmentfor practice. INDEPENDENCE II. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: OPPOSITES I. cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: SPIN MYSERVE CHAPTER After oneminute, switch roles. Players rally hittingopposite spins(ifleaderslices, partnerhitstopspin). One partnerisleader, otherisfollower. All activitiesinsideservice box. Two pairspercourt, usinghalf-court. Play two straight similarshotsthenchangespins. One stroke only, thenalternate. WARMUP CHARACTER —Change gripand/or handpositionfor different spins. Cooperative, players inpairs. Changingspins. —Hit opposite shotfrom your partner. 05 Mini-net, cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets; red ballsandorange balls; © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 179

RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: • • • Mission • • • Setup SERPENTINE SHUFFLE III. proper movement for deepgroundstrokes andoverheads. This backward serpentineshufflehelpsplayers develop On return to baseline, continue facing netwhenturning. Make turnfrom onesideto theotherfacing net. then two steps facing other. Shuffle toward net, two steps facingonedirection, when to stop. Place somecones orTDLsinfront ofnetsoplayers know Players spread outsixto eightfeet behindbaseline. Up to four players oneachsideofnet. ATHLETIC SKILLS SERPENTINESHUFFLE

© 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com who struggle. down for theplayers time to break this first. Besure to take way isvery difficult at overhead, moving this or goingbackfor an riding askateboard blind side. Whether they’re moving to their pivot backward, Whenever players TEACHING TIP 180

RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: • • • • • • Suggested Movements • • Mission • • Setup AGILITY LADDER Let player pickmovement. Jumps. Hops. Sideways 1-2,1-2(bothdirections). Two feet in(1-2,1-2rhythm). Move through ladderonefoot inat atime. Next player goeswhenprevious oneishalfway through. twice before you demonstrate anew one. Players form alineandcoach demonstrates aspecificmovement. Have players perform eachmovement If laddersaren’t available, usechalkorTDLs. Set uponeagilityladderfor every four players; upto two laddersoneachsideofnet. AGILITYLADDER © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 181

RED BALL 1 • • Setup Focus: Type: SLICE ANDDICESERVE IV. ILLUSTRATION: • • • • Mission Players spread outalongbaseline—upto four players oneachsideofnet,withtwo red balls. Setup TWO-BALL THROW Pairs diagonallyacross net from eachother. Two pairspercourt—one server andone returner. If successful, letplayers usetwo orange balls. For safety purposes,have allplayers goat sametimeoneachside. trying to hitfirst ball. Imitating aserve motion,toss ballupwithnon-dominanthand.At top oftoss, throw second ballupward, Stand inserve positionwithoneballineachhand. TENNISSKILLS Cooperative, players inpairs. Directing slice serve. TWO-BALL THROW © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 182

RED BALL 1 Goal • • Mission • • Setup POINT PLAY 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: SERVE PYRAMIDS V. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission Play onepointandrotate if three onateam, two pointsandrotate iftwo onateam. Play outgamesasateam. After eachgame, switch servers andreturners. One team serves, otherreturns. Two teams oftwo orthree, usingfullcourt. First pairto complete pyramid wins,thenstart new gamewithnew server. If successful, pairscores apointandstarts buildingpyramid. Server hitsnext ballto opencourt. One pairat atime. Server slices outwideandreturner plays ballbackdown middle. Each pairhasadesignated area behindbaselineto buildfour-ball pyramid. Righties serve from deuce side, leftiesfrom adside. Two pairspercourt, oneserver andonereturner. Complete four sequences oneachside, thenswitch servers. Returner plays ballbackto server, whocatches itandserves again. For deuce side, slice outwide;for adside, slice down “T”(righty). using edgeofracquet) andthenhitsslice serve. Using acontinental gripwithracquet onedge, server performs one“edgie” (bounce ball Players pickpatterns withslice serve. Play outpointsteam versus team. Point doesn’tcount untilfirst three shots are made. Serve to body. Play serve plusone(one pairat atime), thenplay outpoints. GAMES —Apply day’s themeinto pointplay (spin serve). —Serve wideandrecover backinto ready positionwithbothhandsonracquet. —Lead withedgeofracquet onslice serve. Cooperative andcompetitive, compete aspairs orasateam. Spinanddirection onserve plusone. —Slice serve outwideto opencourt. —Slice serve outwideandto “T.” —Play pointswithserve andreturn. © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

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RED BALL 1 3. 2. 1. Progressions Play withred foam ballagainst garage doororsolidwall. Setup SLICE SERVEANDRALLY TO WALL VI. Slice serve, thenslice allgroundstrokes. Play withpartner, alternating shots. Slice serve to wall, thenrally. PLAY AT HOME © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 184

RED BALL 1 • • INDEPENDENCE II. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission Two pairspercourt, usinghalf-court. Players start onservice lines. Setup Focus: Type: FIGURE 8 I. cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: UP INTHEAIR CHAPTER Correct your own mistakes. Learn therulesoftennis. After two minutes ineachpattern, switch to alltopspin from service line. Move partneronlyafew feet to rightandleftusingoutside stroke. Begin withallslices. Players rally cooperatively. Players ononesideofnethitdown theline;othersidehitscrosscourt. One sidehitsallforehands. Alternate slice andtopspin. WARMUP CHARACTER —Find arally pace you cancontrol withappropriate speedandspin.

Cooperative, players inpairs. Changeofdirection ongroundstrokes withspin. —Change direction onevery ball. 06 Mini-net;cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets, red ballsandorange balls;

RED BALL 1 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission Players spread outaround court. Setup VERTICAL JUMPS ILLUSTRATION: • • • Mission Players inpairswithtwo cones orballsbetween them,placed aboutfour feet apart. Setup FIGURE 8CONEWEAVES III. Land inathletic stance, asquietlypossible. Jump upashighpossible asifattempting to grab arebound inbasketball. After players have donethree sets,switch movement to forward andbackward through cones. After four complete figure 8s,next player goes. One player at atimeshuffles around conesinafigure 8 pattern. Attempt to jumpandspin360degrees, landinginathletic position. Jump andspin180degrees, landinginathletic position.Pause after eachjumpto getyour balance. ATHLETIC SKILLS FIGURE8CONEWEAVES © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 186

RED BALL 1 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission Two pairspercourt, usinghalf-court. Players start infront halfofservice boxes. Setup Focus: Type: FIGURE 8VOLLEYS IV. 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • • • • Mission • • • Setup HI-LO TOSS Spend oneminute oneachpattern, thenswitch. Total oftwo rounds. Control eachshotsopartnertakes nomore thanonestep. Volley cooperatively; onesidedown theline, othercrosscourt. After four successful hi-locatches, switch roles. Catch withrighthandon rightside, lefthandonleft. Toss second ballhigh.Catch intheairabove waist level andtoss back. Toss to catcher, whocatches after bounce andtosses back. One player feeds, othercatches. Players face eachother, four to five feet apart. Maximum four pairsspread outoneach side ofnet. Players inpairswithorange ball. One sidehitsallforehand orallbackhandvolleys. Increase distance from net. Increase distance between players. Toss second ballhighinfront ofcatcher. Toss first ballhigh over catcher’s shoulder, forcing catcher to backup. TENNIS SKILLS —Use anopenface oneachsideto keep ballintheair. Cooperative, players inpairs.

Changeofdirection onvolleys. —Change direction onevery volley.

RED BALL 1 3. 2. 1. Progressions makes contact. Goal • • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: PASS ME V. 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: CLOSE THENET Baseliner scores for winningpoint. and abonuspointfor winningpoint. Volleyer scores apointfor approach shotandopen-court volley, Baseliner triesto pass withagroundstroke to either side. First volley must goto opposite side. Volleyer drop-hits down theline, approaches netandplays outpoint. other players are off court at asafe distance. One sideapproaches, other hitspassing shots.Play pointsoneonone, starting onbaseline. Two teams oftwo orthree onopposite endsofcourt, After four attempts, players changeroles. After acomplete rotation, switch to otherside. Partner rallies ballback,andpairattempts atwo-volley, two-groundstroke rally. Volleyer drop-hits balldown theline, moves to netanddoesasplit-step, ready to volley. One partnervolleys, otherhitsgroundstrokes. Partners onopposite sidesofnet,starting onservice lines. Two pairspercourt, using half-court. Coach oraplayer canfeed shortballto approacher. Hit approach shotdown thelineorcrosscourt. Approach withbackhand. Play first ballas volley, second aslob. Play first volley deep, second oneshort. Player hittinggroundstrokes moves backto baseline. GAMES —Execute an approach shotandsplit-step whenbaseliner —Successfully switch gripsand/or handsfor approach/volley sequence. Cooperative, players inpairs. Competitive, team. Move opponentwithapproach andvolley. Approach andvolley withdirection. —Perform approach, split-step andtwo volleys. —Approach andvolley to opencourt.

during play. keep thelinesdown visually, andyou can way to show them step. TDLsare agreat center for theirsplit- should stand off- than tell) why players game andshow (more in themiddleof the net.Take abreak teach “shading” at This agreat timeto COACHING TIP 188

RED BALL 1 • • • Mission Play ondriveway orany flat surface. Setup TRICK SHOTS VI. Use different grips to create different effects. Practice shotsafter bounce andintheair. Use any partofracquet to hitball. PLAY AT HOME —Create cool shotsonabounce andintheair. © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 189

RED BALL 1 • • INDEPENDENCE II. 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission Two pairspercourt, usinghalf-court. Players inservice boxes. Setup Focus: Type: MINI-TENNIS I. cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: OVERHEADS &SERVES, OHMY! GROUNDSTROKES, VOLLEYS, CHAPTER Ask, “What didIdowell today? What canIimprove?” Practice beingyour own coach. Need help? Hand-feed volley and slice withpartner. Next, volley to volley. Next, oneplayer at net,otherinmiddleofservice box. Dinkslice to volley, thenswitch. Pairs rally over netfrom middleofservice box usingdinkslice withcontinental grip. Alternate strokes. One stroke only. Crosscourt. WARMUP CHARACTER —Keep non-dominanthandonthroat for ready positionafter slices andvolleys. Cooperative, players inpairs. Direction, spin. —Keep ballgoingwithcontinental grip. 07 Mini-net, cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets; red ballsandorange balls; © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com NetGeneration.com | 190

RED BALL 1 3. 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission • • Setup SHUFFLE TOSS 2. 1. Progressions • • Mission • • Setup Note: Have eachplayer bringajumprope to practice, orprovide one. JUMP ROPETO SKIPLOOPS III. After two successful times to sidelineandback,toss andcatch intheair. catching between bounces. Useonlyonehandto bounce andcatch—either hand. While shuffling from sideline tosideline, bounce ball downward (palm down) backand forthwithpartner, Pairs facing eachotheronsidelinewithoneorange ball. Three orfour pairsoneachsideofnet. Make sure path involves moving forward, sideways andeven backward. along designated path. Once players have established abaselineofjumpingrope inplace (single jumps), they canbeginto move Set upasimplepath for players to follow, suchaslinesofcourt orcones andmarkers. Each player withjumprope. Alternate two straight onbounce, two straight intheair. Different handthanpartner. Left handonly, righthandonly. Move forward by jogging. Move forward by jumping. ATHLETIC SKILLS © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 191

RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: • • • • Mission • • • Setup THREE-BALL THROW Need help? Pickupball,pause, thenthrow. and players switch roles. Partners catch allthree balls,place theminsamepositions, Turn around andjogto second ball,andsoon. Throw ishighto othersideofnet. jog to first ball,benddown, grab itandthrow, allinonemotion. Starting at net,players withballsontheirsideturnaround, player—in middleofservice box, onservice lineandonbaseline. On sameside, place three ballsinastraight linefor each and oneinthemiddle. On onesideofnet,positionplayers at net—oneoneachsideline Maximum three pairspercourt. THREE-BALL THROW

© 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com exploding uponserve. for overheads and work onmoving back is agreat way to while throwing. This upward withlegs down, anddriving leg whilebending ball, loadingonback running backto the step/crossover while into onedrill:adrop- movements wrapped several important This activityhas TEACHING TIP 192

RED BALL 1 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • Mission Two pairspercourt, using half-court. Oneplayer at net,otherat baseline. Setup Focus: Type: HI-LO IV. Need help? Move baselinerto service line. Complete four sequences andswitch positions. to netplayer, whohitsoverhead back. Baseliner drop-hits groundstroke to netplayer, whovolleys back.Baselinertraps anddrop-hits lob Hit lobwithcontinental grip(first drop-hit, then rally). Play acooperative rally andkeep ballgoing. TENNIS SKILLS —Step outandacross for volley. Cooperative, players inpairs. Consistency onvolleys andoverheads. —Control volleys andoverheads withpartner.

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RED BALL 1 ILLUSTRATION: 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: TENNIS ISLAND V. Switch opponents,ifnecessary. Play rounds to seven points,thenother team serves. Play onepointandrotate players. Team winspointby gettingopponentto step offislandormiss shot. Returner starts insidebaseline. and must move insidebaselineafter serve lands(one serve only). Play pointswithserve andreturn. Server starts offin water “Island” isboundariesofcourt. Beyond that is“water.” Two teams oftwo orthree onopposite sidesofnet,starting onbaseline. Bonus pointfor making opponentstep outsidesideline(usingangles/width). Bonus pointfor winning at net(volley oroverhead). Only onesideplays IslandTennis. GAMES —Take deepballsasthey come offground andcutoffanglesonsideline. Competitive, team. Take deepballsontherise. —Hit every ballstanding insidecourt. ISLAND TENNIS ISLAND

RED BALL 1 Be grateful for thechance to play tennis. RESPECT II. 3. 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • Hi-Lo • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: MINI-TENNIS HI-LO I. cones, poly-spots andTDLs. Equipment: CHECK OUTMYSKILLS CHAPTER Need help? Drop-hit groundstroke, trap anddrop-hit lob, trap, andrepeat. and lob/overhead. Continue warmup withoneplayer at netandoneonbaseline. Alternate groundstroke/volley Next, volley to volley. Next, oneplayer at net,otherinmiddleofservice box. Dinkslice to volley, thenswitch. Both pairsinmiddleofservice box rallying dinkslice withcontinental grip. Start offinservice box, move to baseline. Two pairspercourt, usinghalf-court. Alternate strokes. One stroke only. Straight aheadthencrosscourt. WARMUP CHARACTER —Step outandacross for volley andusesquare stance for overhead. Cooperative, players inpairs. Direction onslice, volleys, overheads. —Rally withpartnerinmultipleways. 08 Mini-net,cautiontapeorany typeofrope; 21to 23-inchracquets; red ballsandorange balls; © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com

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RED BALL 1 Goal • • • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: SQUEEZE RALLY IV. 2. 1. Progressions • • • • • Mission • • • • Setup BIG-BALL TENNIS III. Players continue untilboundaryistoo narrow. Rally four balls(two each)inboundaryandyell “Squeeze!” Then move TDLsinoneracquet length. Start a rally withstraight-ahead serve andreturn. Place TDLsparallel to eachotherto create two rectangular courts. can beginaswideeightfeet. Start with sidelineasoneboundaryandTDLsother. Dependingonlevel ofplayers, eachcourt Two pairspercourt, usinghalf-court. Players onopposite baselineswithtwo TDLseach. Focus onplay, notwhichteam wins. Have teams play to acertain numberofpoints,thenswitch opponents. For teams ofthree, rotate positionsevery few points. one sideserves two straight pointsthenswitch. Rules canvary for level ofplayers—only onebounce, endless bounces, within court boundaries. Toss ballsover netfrom sideofbody. First bounce must be anywhere incourt. Points beginwithaserve (toss from side), whichcanland Play matches onentire court. Useonebigballfor eachmatch. against two orthree players from opposingteams. Set up“matches” withtwo orthree players from eachteam playing Within eachteam, divideinto smallerteams oftwo orthree. Split players into two bigteams. Let players chooseateam name. Can catch balleitherintheairoronbounce. Must toss serves diagonallyto proper box. TENNIS SKILLS —Extend follow-through to helpdirect ballinto boundaries. ATHLETIC SKILLS Cooperative, players inpairs. Direction ongroundstrokes. —Control rally withincourt boundaries.

works well. ball that canbounce two-pound medicine size basketball ora lose control. Ajunior from thewaist and heavy, kidswillbend move intheair. Too ball istoo light,itwill ball isimportant.Ifthe and weight for thebig Finding therightsize TEACHING TIP

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RED BALL 1 2. 1. Progressions Goal • • • • Mission • • Setup Focus: Type: SIDELINER V. 3. 2. 1. Progressions First team to seven wins. opponent outsidesideline. Score pointfor your team by winningpointand/or forcing Start pointswithserve. Players must usetheiroutsidestrokes. Play allpointscrosscourt. Canplay two points at sametime. Use extra TDLsto splitcourt inhalf. Teams ofthree orfour onopposite sidesofnet. Play fullcourt. Must letevery ballbounce. Use dice orcards to determine numberofshots. Hit specific strokes suchasslice or topspin only. Increase numberofshotsrequired. GAMES —Use spinto move balloff court. Competitive, team. Anglegroundstrokes. —Move opponentoutsidesideline.

© 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com ready for individual doesn’t meanthey’re complete games.This developing more foot court, andare to play onthe36- players are able At thisstage, all COACHING TIP this ageandstage. are more importantat on what they dowell and focusing feedback a team environment the competition within competition. Keeping 198

RED BALL 1 tournaments inyour area. ready for anentry-level tournament. Contact your district orsectionoffice if youdon’t have JTTor After participating inPlay Days at their facility andJuniorTeam Tennis intheirarea, players are PLAY ATOURNAMENT VI. ILLUSTRATION: 2. 1. Progressions Goal • Mission • • • Setup Focus: Type: FOUR-SQUARE BLACK HOLE Points beginwithserve andreturn. After serve, players can’thitinto samesquare two straight times. Teams selectasquare opponentscan’thitto. Divide court into four equalsquares usingTDLsorpoly-spots. Teams ofthree orfour onopposite sidesofnet. Teams canselectasquare ontheirsideofnetoropposite side. Require slice for shortboxes. —Use depthandspinto move opponent. PLAY AT HOME Cooperative orcompetitive, partnerorteam. Deep/short andsideto side. —Move opponentsideto sideanddeep/short. FOUR-SQUARE BLACK HOLE 2 1 3 4 3 4 © 2017 USTA. /NetGeneration.com 2 1 199

RED BALL 1 TOGETHER WE WILL GROW THE GAME