Play Phase session: arm tennis

This session will help players:    

• improve their teamwork 
• work on their coordination 
• begin to develop balancing and body positioning related to football.

If you like this idea, download the session plan and give it a go. And don't forget to share your experience on the England Football Community. We'd love to know how you got on.

Organisation

Arm tennis is a 'team game'. This means the children work together on the same team or against others.

'Team games' promote sharing and understanding each other's strengths and weaknesses. They also help children learn how to win and lose with sportsmanship and respect.

It is simple to set up. You only need a group of players, bibs and some balls or balloons.

How to play

Divide the children into pairs. The children work together to move an object backwards and forward as many times as possible.

The children start by creating a net using a bib. They each hold one end of the bib and use their other hand to hit the object to their partner.

The children can choose which version of the game to play. They could:

• select a balloon and use their hand as a tennis racket
• select a ball and let it bounce before hitting it back with their hand
• have a go at playing the game with their feet and kicking the balloon or ball over the net.