Kids Rally Competition Drill

This drill introduces young beginners to rallying in a fun, game-like format. Using age-appropriate courts and balls, kids practice control, timing, and consistency while staying engaged through different scoring and challenge variations. The activity develops fundamentals while keeping practice light and enjoyable.

Setup

• Two mini courts (age-appropriate dimensions) set up on a regular court
• Low-pressure or foam balls
• Pairs of kids on each mini court
• Nets or mini-nets in place

Rules & Objectives

• Players rally cooperatively, trying to keep the ball in play as long as possible
• Start with self-feeds or underhand serves to begin the rally
• Players can stop the ball with their racket or hands if needed (beginner variation)
• Progress to continuous rallies without stopping
• Encourage players to count aloud (numbers, alphabet, etc.) to track rally length
• Optionally, switch to competitive scoring: first to 10 points or most points in 2 minutes

Repetition

• Begin with cooperative rallies, focusing on control
• Add variations: counting numbers, alphabet, or longest rally record
• Introduce timed rounds (e.g., 2 minutes per match)
• Play competitive games with scoring to 10
• Mix cooperative and competitive rounds for variety

Coaching Points

• Builds rally consistency and ball control
• Teaches timing, tracking, and recovery
• Keeps kids engaged with fun variations (counting, alphabet, timed play)
• Provides a foundation for transitioning into real match play

Drill Tutorial