Get moving with the Fun Tennis Challenge

If you are looking for an interesting activity to help your child improve his or her motor skills, get physically fit and have fun all at the same time, why not try out some components of the Fun Tennis Challenge?
Taking on a game-based approach, the Fun Tennis Challenge emphasizes on modified tennis drills to improve an individual’s Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS), and is suitable for young children aged between six to 11 years old.

The Fun Tennis Challenge helps in the development of the key elements required in tennis - hand-eye coordination, agility, balance, flexibility, speed, and strength. Therefore, it serves as a base for a beginner to pick up the sport with ease and is also used by recreational tennis players to refine their tennis strokes.

STATION 1: SPIDER RUN
FMS - Agility & Speed


Photo: SportSG

Players are required to pick up tennis balls arranged in a particular set-up on the court, in the fastest timing possible. The Spider Run will help tennis players develop agility and speed, as it trains them to move quickly from one side of the court to another

Instructions

1. Take up your position at the center of the court
2. When the timer starts, run towards one of the eight balls around the court, pick it up, and drop it on the start point
3. Repeat the process above for the remaining balls
4. Timing stops when the last ball is dropped on the start point

STATION 2: SWAMP CROSSING
FMS - Balance & Flexibility


Photo: SportSG

The aim of the Swamp Crossing drill is to get to the finish line by stepping only on the markers, which are spaced out in zones of 2m or 1.5m widths. Developing balance and flexibility is essential for tennis, as opponents will attempt to place the ball beyond a player’s reach.

How to play-
1. Begin on the starting point and move from one marker to another
2. Jump across the finish line to complete the station

STATION 3: BALL CATCHING
FMS - Hand-eye coordination

Facing a wall, players simply have to throw and catch the ball as many times as possible within a minute, without letting the ball fall to the ground. The ball catching drill improves hand-eye coordination and focus, both important traits in tennis, as players must return the ball over the net before it bounces out of their court.

How to play-
1. Stand 1m away from a wall and have someone set your timing for one minute
2. Throw the ball against the wall with your right hand and catch it with your left hand
3. Repeat the process with your left hand, catching it with your right
4. Count the number of times the ball is caught within one minute to calculate your score

STATION 4: FASTEST PICKER
FMS - Dynamic Balance


Photo: SportSG

Players have to balance a ball on their racquet face, while winding around the cone set-up in a zig-zag fashion. The swift and sharp movements in this drill will help players develop a good sense of balance, which will translate into better service and receiving of an opponent’s return.  

How to play-

1. With the clock set at one minute, a player will attempt to transport as many balls as possible across the cone set-up.
2. The ball cannot be handled by any other part of the body

Are you a kid trying to learn the basics to tennis? Or perhaps a parent trying to introduce your child to the game of tennis?

At the ActiveSG Tennis Academy, we are serving up an ace when it comes to learning and enjoying the game.

With a structured pathway to unleashing potential, our students have an opportunity to enjoy playing tennis before learning to play at the highest level.

Helmed by professional coaches, our students are engaged at every level of development. From fundamental movement skills to core tennis skills, the programmes are designed to be fun, yet challenging. Sign up for the ActiveSG Tennis Academy by registering here.