Body Part Ball Stop Game

This playful drill sharpens kids’ focus, coordination, and listening skills while making tennis practice fun. By rolling a ball to a partner and responding to the coach’s call, players must control the ball with specific body parts, reinforcing agility and concentration. It’s a versatile game that can be adapted with different types of balls or even rackets.

Setup

• Players grouped in pairs
• One ball per pair (foam or depressurized balls work best)
• Coach positioned to give instructions

Rules & Objectives

• One player rolls the ball gently to their partner
• The coach calls out a body part (e.g., right foot, left knee, forehead, chest, etc.)
• The receiving player must stop the ball using the called body part
• That player then rolls the ball back, and the coach calls a new body part for the other player
• Continue alternating until both players have completed several turns

Repetition

• Play for timed rounds (e.g., 2 minutes per pair)
• Introduce variations: use different types of balls (tennis, foam, basketball, etc.)
• Add rackets: players must stop the ball with specific parts of the racket (e.g., frame, strings, handle)
• Increase challenge by rolling balls faster or at different angles

Coaching Points

• Develops hand-eye and foot-eye coordination
• Improves reaction time and concentration
• Encourages listening skills and quick thinking
• Keeps kids engaged with variety and fun movement

Drill Tutorial