How to Teach Tennis Skills to Children

While not as mainstream as other youth sports such as soccer and baseball, tennis remains a popular athletics choice among children. The rules of the game are easy for children to learn, but the skills can take years to fully develop. When teaching tennis skills to children, it is important to keep the lesson interesting and entertaining. Children need to learn the proper techniques, but overloading them with drills will dissuade them from continuing.

Things You'll Need

  • Tennis balls
  • Tennis rackets
  • Chain-link fence or large net
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Instructions

    • 1

      Introduce the children to the tennis ball. Ball tracking, including learning how the ball moves, spins and bounces, is an essential skill for youth players to gain. Get the children comfortable with the ball by throwing it in the air and telling a child to catch it after two or three bounces. Simply throw the ball back and forth with a child or have him throw the ball to himself against a wall. These exercises improve children's hand-eye coordination and ball-tracking ability.

    • 2

      Teach the children how to stand and how to hold the tennis racket. These basic concepts prepare children for incoming balls and taking their first swings. Have the children hold the racquet with their right hand on the bottom and left hand above the right. Tell them to bend their knees with keep their legs about shoulder-width apart. Instruct the children to keep the racket should be out in front of their body, ready for an incoming ball.

    • 3

      Let the children hit the tennis ball. This is a fundamental skill of tennis and also a fun part for children just learning the game. Place the children in front of a chain-link fence or large net in proper tennis stance. Let them hit the ball as hard as they want, not focusing on direction or height. Over time, as the children become comfortable, instill location instructions for the swings and add a line for them to hit above.

    • 4

      Have children work in pairs, hitting balls back and forth to each other. Don't worry about a net or how many bounces the ball takes. Get the children familiar with hitting, receiving and tracking the tennis ball, as well as hitting the ball while on the move. This also develops teamwork and lets the children work with friends, enhancing the experience for them.

    • 5

      Teach the children how to volley the ball over the net. Line them up single-file in front of the net. Have the children approach the net one at a time. From the other side of the net, lob a tennis ball to them, instructing them to return the ball without letting it bounce. Through the course of the activity, throw the ball in many areas, having the kids adjust to different locations.

    • 6

      Let children apply the skills they have learned in a game setting. Initially, this does not have to include scoring or serving. Games are the enjoyable reward for a day of practice. Consider using foam, reduced-bounce balls and smaller courts to make the sport more conducive to the children's skill level. Over time, you can increase the difficulty if the children are ready to progress.