Serve at a towel target

What you need

Players

1 player

Time

5 to 10 min

Level

Intermediate and advanced

Equipment

Ball, Target (towel or basket)

Ball fed by

Not needed

Space

A yard or driveway

Ages

10+

Setup

1. Lay a towel or a laundry basket on the grass about 6 to 9 m (20 to 30 ft) away.
2. Serve from a line or a chalk mark, toward an open space with nothing behind it.
3. A grown-up can stand to the side and roll balls back.

How it runs

Overhand serving outside at a towel on the grass. The player tosses in front of the hitting shoulder, hits through the middle of the ball with a firm hand and tries to land it on or near the towel. Start close and move back as the hits get steady.

Time and reps: 3 rounds of 10 serves, collect the balls between rounds.

Coaching points

• Toss in front of your hitting shoulder, a little higher than you can reach.
• Elbow high, then hit the middle of the ball with a firm, flat hand.
• Step with the opposite foot as you hit.
• Count how many land on or next to the towel.

Ways to change it

• Easier: underhand serve from closer.
• Harder: move the towel left and right, or farther away.
• Game: one point for near the towel, three for on it.

Safety at home