At 5-7, the red ball (larger and softer) lets young players focus on tracking and hitting, not fear. This drill builds basic stroke mechanics in a rally setting.
Equipment needed: 1 smaller court (or marked 20-foot square), 4 red tennis balls, 2 kid-sized rackets, 1 net (lowered if possible).
Setup: Two young players stand on opposite sides of the net, about 12 feet back from the baseline.
How to run it:
- One player feeds the ball to the other (gentle toss to them).
- Receiver hits the ball back over the net (forehand or backhand).
- Feeder hits it back. They rally, trying to keep the ball in play.
- Goal is 3 consecutive hits over the net (a “3-rally”).
- Do 4 reps per pair, then switch.
What to look for:
Young players should be tracking the ball with their eyes. If they’re looking away or at their feet, focus it back on the ball. The swing should be simple: step, turn, swing, follow through. Over-thinking mechanics is not helpful at this age. If the ball is wobbling, they’re hitting it off-center. If they’re swinging too hard, they’re out of control. Controlled, easy swings let the ball stay on the court.
Variation: Add a target. Place a cone on the opponent’s court. Young players try to hit near the cone, not just over the net. This teaches direction without adding complexity.