Although the Pre-Scholars still need to learn basic skills such as running, jumping, throwing and catching – Play tennis can be introduced at this very young age to promote physical activity.

 

Agility, balance and coordination are some of the skills that can be taught, thus allowing the players to develop the required attributes in order to become a good tennis player.                                                                        

 

Speed and strength can be added at a later stage and is also a pre-requisite for tennis players of all levels of play.  

 

The red ball can be rolled back and forth to each other on the red court in order to simulate a rally between two players. After this skill has been acquired, the ball can be played over the lowered net.  

 

The following progressions may then be followed:

 

• Catch and throw the ball under arm (without using a racket)

      Depending on the opponent’s level he/she may catch the ball with their racket, bounce        it and then strike the ball with the racket. 

• Catch the ball with the racket, bounce it and then strike the ball with the racket

      Depending on the opponent’s level he/she may rally the ball back with their racket.

• Both players rally the ball with their rackets.

 

It depends on the player’s improvement how soon he/she will migrate to the next phase of the “Play & Stay” model but the following objectives should be achieved:

 

• Introduce tennis as a fun and easy sport to participate in.

• Promote confidence and more specifically self-confidence.

• Set goals that can easily be accomplished by the beginner player.

• Emphasis should be on performance instead of outcome.

 

Read more about Midi Tennis here