Football Tennis-footy4kids

Football Tennis

Objective: This is an ideal way to improve first touch and juggling skills!

Age group: U8s and upwards.

Set up: Create a square 'tennis court' for every four to six players.

If you don't have a net, use a line of traffic cones or a couple of poles balanced on kit bags.

Divide your players into teams of two or three.

How to play: One player bounces the ball then serves it across the net with a half volley or side-foot lob.

• The receiving team must play it back across the net.
• Players can use their feet, chest or head to control the ball before passing it back across the net.
• The younger the player, the more touches they are allowed to set up the return.
• Players should be encouraged to pass to their team mates before returning the ball.

Tip: Don't be too prescriptive. The aim is to for your players to get into line quickly and keep the ball moving with lots of good touches. It doesn't matter how they do it.

• Keep score as in a tennis match: 15-0, 30-15, etc.
• Play for a set time or until a certain number of games have been won.