37
“I CAN PLAY POINTS”
PLAY ACTIVITY G5 (Red)
Team Cones
North End
Goal: To play tennis (serve, rally, score).
Rules of the Game: Players are split into two teams. Each team has
a ‘base’ (designated by a marker) at the side of the court. Players
from team 1 always play on the ‘South’ end of the Court. Players on
team 2 always play on the ‘North’ end of the court.
Each pair spins for serve and plays a game up to 5 points (alternate
server every 2 points). ‘Sudden-death’ at 4-4. Once a player wins,
they put a marker on their team’s base. They then wait for a different
player to play on the other team. Keep playing and changing partners
for whatever the designated time frame is set by the coach (e.g. 5, 10,
20 min, etc.). Team with the most markers on their team’s base wins.
Example from the ITF Competition website:
www.tennisplayandstay.com/competitions/team-cones.html
South End
TACTICAL/TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT
During competition is the ideal time to evaluate the ‘true’ skills of the player. Instructors can reinforce
many of the skills learned while play occurs.
Note: Instructors need to use the play times to evaluate skills for Achievement cards
Reinforce all the techniques and tactics previously learned:
TACTICS:
 Keep the ball in play to win points with consistency
 Move the opponent around to help them miss (use cross-courts and down-the-lines)
 Place the serve (throw) to gain advantage
 Play the net to take the ball earlier
TECHNIQUES:
-Movement Cycle -Grip -Impact Point -Set-up -Hitting Zone -”Catching action” on volleys -”Throwing action” on
serves -Service position -Bodywork/rotation on groundstrokes
I AM A GOOD SPORT:
 Shake hands after the game
KEY:
Marker
Instructor
Player
Drop Down lines
Feeder
Ball flight
Hitter
Server
Returner
Red Court Net
Target
Player movement