Topher’s Tennis Practice with MIDDLE School for 02/23/2023
Primary Goals: 1) Learn the basics of serve, 2) forehand mechanics, and 3) doubles movement
· Stretching (5 minutes before practice) (Top Down)
o Dynamic –Dancing Bears, Heal/Toe Walks, Shuffle Steps, Carioca Steps
· Warm Up –
o Ball Bounces – 20 down, 15 up, 10 frame down, 5 frame up,
o Freeze Tag Ball Bounce
o 12 minute warmup – Volley=2m, FH&BH=4m, Overheads=2m, Serving=4m
· Water Break – 2 minutes
· Refresher Concept – Red Light – Green Light Ball
o Red Light Ball – Not in our optimal hitting zone, take high middle
o Green Light Ball – Optimal hitting zone, high & up in court
· Depth Matters for all strokes - Singles concepts!
o To get more depth:
Hit a closed stance to get more hip action
Hit with a leg lift to carry the ball higher.
Hit with longer arm distance to get more extension.
o Challenge - Rally with 3 deep balls before you are allowed to take any other strokes.
· Water Break – 3 minutes
· Competition – Tennis Blackjack (Weaker stroke) – Singles Style - All players are positioned single file behind the baseline center. A feeder is on the opposite side of the court up at the net. The first player in line comes up to the baseline center make and attempts to hit the specific stroke. If the player hits the shot into the singles court area between the net and the service line, 1 point is earned. Placing the ball between the service line and the baseline earns 2 points. Hitting a line earns 3 points. HITTING WITH YOUR WEAKER STROKE (BACKHAND) IS DOUBLE! Players rotate after every shot. If a player accumulates 13 points, a turn is lost and all points are forfeited, and play starts again from 0. The first player to reach 21 points wins. Going over 21 takes you back to 13 points.
· Pickup, Review, Preview, and Thank You
Homework – Watch this video on depth by Ian Westermann
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