HOME Tennis Drills Coordination / Fun Games

Tennis: Donkey

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Nick, Tennis coach

DESCRIPTION

Players hit one ball before running round the court to the other end.

Each player gets 3 lives and loses one if they make a mistake, or fail to get into position on time. Alternatively players can collect letters for each mistake they make until they spell a work (like donkey).

The winner is the one left standing.

The coach can state at any time for the players to change direction in the way they are running around the court, even mid rally!

COACHING POINTS

Players can construct the point but without trying to go for outright winners. If both players are in position and an outright winner is hit, it is up to the coach to decide whether the point should be replayed or not.

The drill can be done with any number of players all on the one court. It is a good end of session or Friday afternoon drill!

Players running around the edge of the court should be reminded to stay outside the lines and to keep out of the way of the ball and their fellow players!

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Anticipation and reactions:

Player side steps until the coach drops a ball.

The player must catch the ball before the second bounce. Players can also start from a stationary position with heels of the ground or hopping on one leg or criss crossing the legs or with player starting with their back to coach and the coach shouting out when throwing the ball.

Movement

Five Alive:

Separate the whole group into teams of around 5-6. Each team nominates a player to feed first.

When ready the feeder throws the ball to each player consecutively until the team has caught 5 balls.

The team getting to 5 first shouts Five Alive and win the first point.

A new feeder is selected by each team, and the next round begins.

Coordination / Fun Games

Ghosts:

-Players hit one shot each and if they return it into court they return to the back of the queue, if they make a mistake they become a ghost.
-Ghosts must go to the same end as the feeder. If they catch a ball before it bounces they come back to life again (swapping with the person who hit that ball).
-The winner is the player who is last one alive!!

Coordination / Fun Games