THE TENNIS BALL TRICK!
It’s the oldest trick in the book-did you know that research shows babies learn to walk more easily when they have something in their hands?
That same concept works wonders in the gym!
The number one tool I use to support this? Tennis balls!
When I want students to practice locomotor skills and balance sequences, I have them hold one tennis ball in each hand. It’s simple, effective, and incredibly versatile.
To stock up, talk to your tennis coach in your district or visit a local tennis complex and ask for last season’s used tennis balls. It’s an easy, and usually free way to build your supply.
I keep mine in a big muck tub right by the door, ready to grab and go!
Preschoolers, kindergarteners, and even first graders absolutely love this activity!
Using tennis balls during movement activities:
Helps students stay balanced (especially beneficial for our adapted students)
Gives their hands something to do while they’re moving
Prevents unnecessary touching of others
Encourages self-control and spatial awareness, if one or more tennis balls drop, students know they need to go back and redo that skill.
Here is my go-to Warm-up:
LOCOMOTOR CONES
Click Here for a FREE LINK TO THIS SLIDE!
This is an activity where kids can come right into the gym, grab the tennis balls, and get started!
Scatter 2 sets of colored cones around the gym.
Students look at the color of the cone and match it to the movement on the projection screen with the same color background.
They then perform that locomotor movement to a cone of a different color that they choose. Once they get there, they tap each tennis ball on top of the cone and look for a new color cone to travel towards. Challenge by choice and self-directed, too! I emphasize crossing the midline and, of course, encourage sound effects on the taps: “Bam, bam! Boom, boom!”
Every now and then, instead of tennis balls, I’ll pull out maracas or shake eggs and add them to the bin for a little extra flair!
Keep on,
Katie
