From Racket Swings to Relay Races: Coaching Kids the Fun Way🎾

Coaching Day at Oakwood Tennis Academy 🎾

Today was a fantastic day coaching the kids at Oakwood Tennis Academy. Classes began at 4:00 PM, and we kicked things off by setting up the mini court—laying down the net and arranging equipment for warm-up and agility drills. We placed rings for one-leg jumps, cones for zig-zag runs, and a ladder for split-step drills to get the kids moving and energized.

We started with a warm-up session that included calf raises, high knees, butt kicks, and general stretching to loosen up.

My first student was a bright and talkative 7-year-old. We worked through progressions: starting with racket swings, then hitting stationary balls, followed by hitting from a toss, and finally rallying. The kid was sincere, enthusiastic, and showed great promise on the court. After that, we took a fruit break and played a fun game called "High Catching," where the kids had to catch balls inside cones while responding to the coach’s calls—lots of laughter and excitement!

At 5:00 PM, the next batch of students arrived. We began with another round of warm-ups and racket swings, focusing on corrections like proper grip, backhand loading, movement, stance, and preparation.

We then moved on to forehand and backhand drills. Two kids practiced forehands while the other two worked on backhands. After half a bucket of balls, we switched sides. The kids, aged between 7–10 years, used red and orange dot balls. We focused on key corrections—ball adjustment, setup, preparation, and making contact at waist level.

Next came the forehand rotation rally drill. Each kid took turns hitting one ball and then rotated out. We worked on body rotation, avoiding open stances, swinging upward, and adjusting to the ball by stepping in and maintaining a side-on position.

To wrap up the technical session, we played a rotational rally game with “5 lives.” Each kid had five chances, and the last one standing was declared the winner—competitive and fun!

After all the hard work, it was time for another fruit break. We ended the day with fun games like a relay race, and finally, the kids packed up their racquets and waved goodbye with big smiles.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A New Tennis Journey at Sultanpur Farmhouse

A New Tennis Journey at Sultanpur Farmhouse 🎾 This weekend marked a refreshing new experience at the Sultanpur farmhouse—a serene escape tucked away from the city buzz. The property is expansive, featuring a stunning synthetic tennis court surrounded by peaceful silence. The only sounds you hear are the rhythmic bounce of the ball and the crisp snap of the racquet—pure bliss for any tennis lover. I had the privilege of playing with the owner, who brings serious pedigree to the game. A seasoned ITF tennis player over 40, he plays with powerful topspin and effortless precision. We rallied for nearly an hour, exchanging heavy shots and intense rallies. It was an exhilarating session—one of the best I’ve had in a long time. After cooling down from the match, we headed out for some delicious chap rolls to wrap up the day. Great tennis, great food, and a peaceful setting—what more could you ask for?
Read more
 Welcome to The Tennis Trail I’m a tennis professional and coach with a passion for exploring new places and cultures through the lens of the sport I love. Why This Blog? The Tennis Trail is my way of documenting the courts I play on, the people I meet, and the lessons I learn—both on and off the baseline. What to Expect - Stories from coaching sessions around the world   - Reflections on tennis culture in different regions   - Travel insights, training tips, and personal growth   - Occasional match breakdowns and gear reviews Whether you're a fellow coach, player, or just curious about tennis beyond the stadium lights, I hope you’ll find something here that inspires you. Let’s rally across borders. 🎾
Read more
Image
When I started The Tennis Trail , I knew I wanted to go beyond the lines—beyond the familiar courts, routines, and expectations. What I didn’t expect was how quickly the journey would begin teaching me. My first stop was The Palm Springs Dlf Phase-V, Gurgaon a place where tennis isn’t just a sport—it’s a bridge between cultures, generations, and stories. I arrived with my racket, a few coaching plans, and an open mind. What I found was a community eager to learn, play, and connect. Coaching Highlights   - Hitting rallies with Adults - Medium to long rallies primarily hit groundstrokes from the back of the court - Physical and mental health The Court Itself The court was synthetic court surrounded by nature and buildings. Between forehands and backhands, I caught glimpses of schoolbags bouncing and leaves rustling—tennis felt like a meditation in motion. What I Learned - Tennis is universal, but coaching is cultural   - Listening is as important as teaching ...
Read more