Racquet Skills
Racquet skills are used in sports such as tennis, squash, badminton, pickleball, padel and table tennis. Players learn to serve, rally, volley and execute different strokes like the forehand strike and backhand strike. Grip control, hand-eye coordination, footwork, timing and precision are key in mastering racquet sports.
A forehand strike involves striking the ball or shuttlecock with the palm-facing side of the racquet-hand. It's a versatile skill and is often used for both defensive and offensive plays. A backhand strike is used to hit the ball or shuttlecock when it is on the opposite side of the dominant hand. It is effective for returning shots and maintaining control when the ball or shuttlecock is on the non-dominant side.
Forehand Strike
- Ready: Stand side on to the ball and knees bent.
- Reach to the wall: Racquet pulled way back.
- Step: With the opposite foot when contacting the ball.
- Swing: Low to high ("Swing like a rainbow.")
- Follow through: Reach over shoulder on opposite side of body.
Backhand Strike
- Ready: Stand side on to the ball and knees bent.
- Reach to the wall: Racquet pulled way back.
- Step: Step with same foot towards target.
- Level swing: Low to high with racquet face pointed at the target ("Back to front.")
- Follow through: Reach over shoulder on opposite side of body.
Note: If teaching a two-handed backhand, both hands stay on the racquet and stepping can follow the forehand pattern with the opposite foot forward.
Forehand Serve (Drop-Bounce-Hit)
- Ready: stand side on to the ball and knees bent
- Drop: the ball from waist height
- Bounce: let the ball bounce on the ground
- Underarm swing: from low to high to strike the ball
- Follow through: reach over shoulder on opposite side of body
- Focus on controlled, gentle hits before adding power.
- Encourage children to move their feet to get behind the ball/shuttlecock instead of reaching.
- Eyes on the ball from bounce to contact.
- Start with slow, close-range rallies before increasing the distance.
- Begin with Hand Strike practice to teach children the action of dropping the ball, letting it bounce and then striking it with a flat palm, before adding in a racquet.
- Play games like Crocodile Rally, where pairs can progress from a hand strike to using a racquet of their choice.
- Practice forehand and backhand skills with a partner in Ice Cream Scoops or Partner Tennis.
- Improve striking accuracy with Tennis Soccer.
- Develop court movement, positioning and teamwork skills in Fast Catch.
- Encourage players to move before they swing, using split steps and quick lateral movements.
- Emphasise the recovery position — returning to a central court position after each shot during game play.
- Teach topspin for aggressive shots and backspin (slice) for defensive play.
- Use drills to develop angle control, teaching players to aim shots wide or down the line, such as Shipwreck Showdown.
- Focus on early preparation, ensuring players set up their shot before the ball arrives.
- Encourage varied shot selection—mixing drives, slices, lobs, and drop shots.
- Play more advanced games like Around the World or Peg Net Rally.
- Grip: Holds the racquet correctly (e.g., "handshake grip" for tennis).
- Ready Position: Stands with knees slightly bent, feet shoulder-width apart and racquet in front.
- Forehand Strike: Turns sideways, swings low to high and follows through over shoulder on opposite side of body.
- Backhand Strike: Rotates shoulders, swings low to high and follows through.
- Moves feet to get behind the ball/shuttlecock instead of reaching.
- Keeps eyes of the ball/shuttlecock from bounce to contact.
- Gripping the racquet too tight, reducing control and flexibility.
- Swinging too hard, leading to loss of accuracy and timing.
- Poor foot positioning.
- Not watching the ball.
- Swinging across the body.
- Not following through.
- Too much wrist movement.
- Leaning backwards while hitting, reducing power and stability.
