The table below details the activities and timings for session ONE of the Tennis Xpress course. Where a thumbnail is shown beside the activity, a video is available to support the course learning and the respective activity.

For the full description of each activity, including details regarding the specific demonstration, the supporting checkpoints and the observations to assist the coach, please see the related links section at the bottom of this page to access a pdf document. The full course content is also available as a pdf within the related links section.

0-5 MINUTES COURSE WELCOME & INTRODUCTION ACTIVITY Coach introduces themselves. Ask participants to introduce themselves.

5 MINUTES GROUNDSTROKE RALLYING: Yellow ball***

***The coach should decide prior to the course whether to introduce the above activity.
If the activity is introduced, then 5-minutes should be taken from a following activity i.e. 10-25-minutes 'SELF RALLY: Red ball 1x1m square'.

5-10 MINUTES GROUP WARM UP: Red ball in 2 x 2m square* ACTIVITY In 2 x 2m squares; players are in pairs and throw a ball underarm to bounce anywhere in the box for the partner to move and catch the ball. Mix pairs after 1 minute.

*Use lines or cones to make the squares

10-25 MINUTES SELF RALLY: Red ball in 1 x 1m square* ACTIVITY In a 1 x 1m square, players gently hit the ball up to head height within the square. Players count and try to get the longest rally.

*Use lines or cones to make the squares

25-40 MINUTES DEVELOP A CONSISTENT GROUNDSTROKE RALLY: Red balls** ACTIVITY In pairs, players rally over the net in the width of the service box, but the baseline is marked only 4m from the net. Players count and try to get the longest rally.

**Use lines to make the court

40-55 MINUTES DEVELOP A CONSISTENT GROUNDSTROKE RALLY: Red balls ACTIVITY In pairs, players play forehand and backhand groundstroke rally Players count and try to get the longest rally.

RULES CHECK Ensure that players know when the ball is in and out. If the ball is out, the rally stops. A ball which bounces on the line is in.

55-70 MINUTES DEVELOP A SERVE AND RETURN: Red ball ACTIVITY In pairs one player serves overarm and the other player returns. Switch roles after 3-5 serves.

70-75 MINUTES DEVELOP A CONSISTENT SERVE, RETURN AND RALLY: Red ball ACTIVITY Repeat the previous activity, but now add the third shot (player who is serving hits the groundstroke), so that the servers alternate after every rally.

75-85 MINUTES EXPLAIN AND DEMONSTRATE THE MATCH TIE-BREAK: Red ball ACTIVITY All players learn to play a singles match tie-break with a Red ball. If there is sufficient court space, divide players into pairs so each can play their own tie break. As an alternative, divide players into 3s and have one player scoring and checking correct sides for serving

85-90 MINUTES CONCLUSION ACTIVITY Coach summary of the session and key points covered. This could be done as a question and answer session. It is also important to allow participants to ask questions. Congratulate players on completing their first session, and encourage them to play with a friend or family member before the next session (it may be necessary to let the players borrow some Red balls to do this).

VARIATION / ADDITIONAL

THIS ACTIVITY CAN BE UNSUPERVISED – THE COACH SHOULD PROVIDE THE PARTICIPANTS WITH ACCESS TO THE SLOWER BALLS