Catch & Swap Racket Balance
Coordination & Body Control
Legend
- player
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Develop basic racket control and eye-hand coordination by balancing and catching a ball on the racket strings.
What you need
- tennis racket
- tennis balls
- court
Your focus
Balancing a ball on the racket face requires focused visual tracking and fine motor control of the wrist and forearm, which are foundational to all tennis strokes. This activity is non-threatening and fun, allowing young players to build coordination without the pressure of hitting. The skill transfers directly to developing a feel for ball contact.
Player places a ball on the center of their racket strings while standing still; goal is to keep the ball balanced for five seconds.
Player walks ten steps along the baseline while balancing the ball on the racket face.
Player gently tosses the ball an inch into the air from the racket and catches it back on the strings.
Progress to bouncing the ball on the strings twice in a row before catching; count maximum consecutive bounces as a personal record.
Goal
You've got it when you can balance the ball on your strings, swap hands, and catch it, your hands and eyes are working together.
Helpful cues
- Watch the ball, not your racket!
- Soft grip, let the ball sit!
- Keep the racket face flat and steady.
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Use a foam ball to make balancing easier and reduce rolling speed if the ball tips.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Have the player bounce the ball on the strings while moving laterally along the baseline.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.