Here is a very simple but effective serving game which I use a lot! It works for groups of 4 year olds upwards, but as with many drills and games, it can be adapted for players right up to most levels & ages – just by changing some of the conditions.
You can see me show the game in the video below, but here are the basics:
- The children are all spaced out along the net with a cone – only a couple of feet back from the net.
They serve – could be overarm or even a simple underarm serve. - Every time they get their serve in, they move their cone back by one racket length.
It’s a race to get back as far as they can.
How to adapt the game for older / better players
- Play on a bigger court.
- Set target areas where their ball has to land.
- For really advanced players you could even have targets which they must hit in order to move back.
Do this drill in individual lessons
I’ve even done this drill in a private lesson with a 4/5 year old and had quite a competitive game (which is worrying;-). I had to hit a small cone with my serve, the boy just had to get his serve over the net – I can’t remember who won but it was close!