Group:
- Beginners with minimum training experience
- Incorporate basic techniques into multi-shot drills involving movement
- Develop basic game knowledge
Lesson Focus:
- Refine basic shots while practicing footwork
- Games – apply skills into game scenarios
Warm Up (10 min)
- Running forward to one wall and backwards back to the starting point 3x
- High knees; butt kickers 1x
- Side shuffles 2x
- Karaoke 2x
- Lunges with side twist 2x
- Ankle and wrist twists 2x
- Sprints 3x
Notes:
- Warmup without rackets
- Increases heart rate and blood flow
Footwork – Backhand Forecourt (15 min)
- One partner is working while the other partner is resting
- Worker moves to the backhand front corner and does a shadow swing while utilizing proper footwork
- Worker then returns back to center with proper footwork
- Worker split steps and repeats the process again
Notes:
- Worker must start and return to the center of the court
- Worker must split step at the center
- Worker should lunge when they swing, while keeping their non-dominant hand extended behind them to stay balanced
- Worker must use backhand grip
- Coaches should check the footwork, grip, and swing of students, and make sure they are not “cheating” the drill
Break (5 min)
- Tell them to grab a partner and hit when they are ready
Backhand Net Shot (10 min)
- keep switching until you call time
- Two pairs on a court
- Partners are on opposite sides of the net
- One partner feeds while the other partner works
- The feeder feeds the worker with an underhand throw
- Worker moves from the center of the court and backhand nets the birdie
- Worker then returns back to center and waits for the next birdie
- 20 shots then switch (feeder and worker switch roles)
Notes:
- Feeder must feed with underhand throw and provide adequate time for the partner to reach the birdie
- Feeder should aim to throw in front of the service line
- Worker must split step before every shot
- Worker must keep their non-dominant hand extended behind them to stay balanced
- Worker should aim to backhand net shot as tight to the net as possible
- Check feeding and the technique and footwork of the worker
Backhand Low Serve (15 min)
- Keep switching until you call time
- Two pairs on a court
- Partners are on diagonally opposite sides of the net
- One partner serves and the other collects birdies
- The partner with the birdies backhand low serves 20 shots
- The other partner picks up 20 birdies
- The other partner backhand low serves 20 shots and the first partner collects them
- 20 shots then switch (Server and collector switch roles)
Notes:
- Server should aim to serve low pass the net and land just past the service line
- Server should stand close to the “T” with racket foot forwards
- Server should use a backhand grip and hold the racket at the halfway point
- When contacting the birdie, the server should use their wrist and thumb to achieve power and control
- Check the technique and stance of the servers
Clean Up & Break (5 min)
Games – doubles (25 min)
- Games up to 21
- Coaches assign pairings and games
- Coaches provide coaching in between rallies on strategy as well as technical corrections
- Losing pair does 10 burpees
Notes:
- Make sure teams are balanced and fair
- Provide a refresher on how to play doubles if players forget
- Coaches may play if there is an odd number of players
Cool Down Stretch (5 min)
- Calves
- Quads
- Glutes
- Hamstrings
- Groin