Tennis Game: Around the World

How It Works

Players line up behind the baseline on each side. Each player begins with “three lives.”

The first player from one line puts the ball in play with a courtesy feed. Then she runs to the end of the opposite line.

The first player from the opposite line hits the ball and runs to the end of the line on the opposite side.

No player is allowed to hit the ball twice in a row. They each hit it and run to the end of the opposite line.

Players “lose” a life if they miss (the ball hits the net, bounces twice, or goes out).

Once a player loses all three lives, they are out.

Play continues until there are two players left on the court. They will play the points out until there is only one player “alive” (the other player lost all their lives).

Note: When only two players remain, they don’t run to the opposite side; instead, they spin 360 degrees after every ball they hit.

This is part of Tennis Drills and Lesson Plans for Coaches, with 900+ drills and lesson plans that coaches need.