The table below details the activities and timings for session TWO of the Tennis Xpress course. Where a video icon is shown beside the activity, a video is available to support the course learning.
For the full description of each activity and the specific supporting checkpoints and 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 | WELCOME AND EXPLAIN THE SESSION |
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| ACTIVITY |
Ask players what was done in the previous session, and how they got on in their practice. |
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| Explain objectives of this session. |
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| 5-10 MINUTES | GROUP WARM UP: Red / Orange ball in 2 x 2m Square* |
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| ACTIVITY |
In pairs, player A on the doubles tramline and player B on the singles tramline. Both players face the court. |
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| Player A calls 1,2 or 3 and throws the ball underarm over the shoulder of player B. |
| Player B chases the ball letting the ball bounce either 1,2 or 3 times before catching. Players change after 30 seconds. Mix pairs after 3 mins. |
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*Use lines or cones to make the squares
| 10-20 MINUTES | PREVIOUS SESSION’S PRACTICE: CONSISTENCY IN A BASELINE RALLY: Red / Orange ball |
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| ACTIVITY |
In pairs, players rally using forehands and backhands in the service box. |
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| Switch partners every 2 minutes. Count the longest rally. |
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| RULES CHECK |
Ensure that players know when the ball is in and out. If the ball is out, the opponent must call it clearly and immediately, and the rally stops. A ball which bounces on the line is in. |
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| 20-35 MINUTES | MOVING THE OPPONENT IN A BASELINE RALLY: Red / Orange ball |
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| ACTIVITY |
In pairs, one player hits all shots cross-court and the other all down the line. |
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| Switch roles every 1 minute. Mix pairs every 4 minutes. |
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| 35-50 MINUTES | DEVELOP CONSISTENCY IN A BASELINE RALLY: Orange court and ball |
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| ACTIVITY |
In pairs, players rally half court on the longer Orange court. Switch pairs every 3 minutes. |
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| Players count and try to get the longest rally. |
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| 50-60 MINUTES | MOVE THE OPPONENT IN A BASELINE RALLY: Orange court and ball |
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| ACTIVITY |
In pairs, players divide their court space in half and rally with one player hitting cross-court only and the other down the line. |
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| The serve can be used to start the rally. Switch roles every 2 minutes. Count the longest rally. |
| Depending on numbers in the group, it may be necessary to mark two Orange courts on a tennis court, or to rotate players so they have one rally on and one rally off. |
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| 60-70 MINUTES | LEARNING TO SCORE Orange ball |
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| ACTIVITY |
2 players play 1 game using standard game scoring and “No-Ad” scoring method at deuce (no advantage is played – see Appendix IV ITF Rules of Tennis). |
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| The coach scores at the net, other players in the group watch. |
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| 70-85 MINUTES | RALLYING AND LEARNING TO SCORE Orange court and ball |
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| ACTIVITY |
Competitive rallying and scoring. |
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| 85-90 MINUTES | CONCLUSION |
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| ACTIVITY |
Coach summary of the session and key points covered. This could be done as a question and answer session. |
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| Reinforce two tactics of consistency and moving the opponent. |
| Encourage players to play with a friend or family member before the next session (it may be necessary to let the players borrow some Red or Orange balls to do this). |
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| 90-120 MINUTES | FREEPLAY: Orange court and ball |
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| ACTIVITY |
Players in groups of 3. One player serves, one returns and one scores. |
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| Play 1 game with tennis game scoring and “No-Ad” scoring method at deuce (deciding point at 40-40) or 1 match tie-break. |
| Switch roles after each game so all players experience each role. |
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THIS ACTIVITY CAN BE UNSUPERVISED – THE COACH SHOULD PROVIDE THE PARTICIPANTS WITH ACCESS TO THE SLOWER BALLS