Player practice guide
Fun Games
15 min GroupBeginner–IntermediateMatch play
Reinforce tennis skills through simple, inclusive games with clear scoring and frequent turns.
Best for: young groups practising control and simple scoring through frequent, inclusive turns.
Goal
Use a simple rally or target skill in a short team challenge where every player contributes.
Success today
Complete 3 games with every player taking at least 4 turns and the group improving its cooperative score once.
Watch before court
Technique reference
Kids Tennis Fun Game with Volleys (Fruit Salad) - Neva Talari (8) & Rhea Talari (5) (23-Sep-2020)! · 3:50
Technique reference—not the full drill. Watch how a simple game gives young players frequent volley contacts and clear turns.
Open video on YouTubeArrive ready
Before you go
- A group of 4–8 players
- Two balanced teams
- Low-compression tennis balls
- 8 flat cones
- Tennis rackets
- Approximately 15 minutes of court time
Court blueprint
Set up the court
Two teams use separate marked lanes and one shared target area. Players take one turn, score for control and return behind their team cone.
- Target zone
- 01Create two equal target lanes on one half-court.
- 02Place each team safely behind its start cone.
- 03Choose one skill and a scoring race to five before starting.
Step by step
Your 15-minute practice
0–3 min
Learn the game
- Walk one turn from start cone to target and back.
- Agree what earns one point.
3–7 min
Play game one
- Use generous targets and rotate after every attempt.
- Cheer control rather than power.
7–11 min
Change one challenge
- Move the target or require one extra rally ball.
- Keep the same safe rotation.
11–15 min
Beat the group score
- Combine both teams for a cooperative final round.
- Try to improve the first score.
Remember
Three player cues
- One turn, then rotate.
- Control earns the point.
- Watch the active lane.
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Players entering before the lane is clear
- Scoring only winners instead of the chosen skill
- Long waits caused by one player taking repeated turns
Keep the same purpose
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Use a larger target, underarm feeds and a cooperative team total.
Make it harder
Shrink the target or require two controlled shots before a point can be scored.
Keep it safe
Use separate lanes, one active player per team and collect balls only on the stop signal.
Continue later