Beginner training plan
Your first lessonIn the first lesson, the focus is on making kids feel excited and confident on the court while laying the groundwork for future development. After a quick dynamic warm-up that includes jumping jacks, arm circles, and a fun game of "Balloon Rally"—where kids use their rackets to keep balloons in the air—we transition to basic racquet and ball handling. Kids learn to bounce the ball up and down on their racket in a drill called "Bump-Ups and Tap-Downs," which builds hand-eye coordination and introduces them to the proper grip using the "handshake grip" (Eastern forehand). Then we introduce the forehand with the “Drop, Hit, Catch” drill, where the coach drops the ball, the student swings, and a partner or coach catches it, emphasizing the fundamentals: sideways stance, eye on the ball, and a low-to-high swing path. To keep energy high and reinforce court movement, we play "Spider Run," where kids sprint to touch cones placed around the court and return to center. We finish with a simple and silly game like “Target Toss,” where kids toss balls into hula hoops to simulate aiming, wrapping up with a reflection circle to let students share what they enjoyed and learned.
Lesson 11+Once foundational strokes are in place, lessons beyond the tenth focus on deepening game awareness, improving consistency, and helping kids enjoy competitive play. Sessions begin with full-court movement drills like “Serve and Step In,” where kids serve and then prepare for a short ball. Rallying drills now include combinations like “Serve + 1,” which trains students to hit a forehand after serving and encourages early point control. Net play gets more dynamic with “Net Rush,” where kids hit a short ball and then approach the net for a volley. We also introduce decision-making with “Two-Touch Rally,” where students must hit the ball and then run to a cone or touch the net before the next shot, building anticipation and recovery habits. Regular “Mini Match Days” become a staple, allowing students to play short matches with light coaching—this is where scoring, sportsmanship, and tactics are reinforced. By this stage, kids should feel confident starting points, recovering between shots, and enjoying the rhythm of structured games. Feedback is individualized, and the focus becomes refining personal strengths while encouraging fun and self-confidence.
