Racket Rally: Intro to Tennis & Badminton

Tennis and badminton are called lifetime sports because people of all ages can enjoy them. They are great for your health, helping to improve your heart fitness, agility, and hand-eye coordination.Tennis is played with a hollow rubber ball on a large rectangular court with a low net. It's a game of power and strategy.Badminton is played with a shuttlecock (or 'birdie') on a smaller court with a higher net. It's known for its incredible speed and requires quick wrist movements.Both can be played one-on-one (singles) or with a partner (doubles).

Let's learn the first steps to playing tennis!The Grip: Hold the racket like you're shaking hands with it. This is called the Eastern or 'shake hands' grip, and it's great for learning basic shots.Ready Position: Stand facing the net with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Hold the racket with both hands in front of you. This keeps you balanced and ready to move in any direction.The Forehand Swing: This is a shot you hit on your dominant side (your right side if you're right-handed). Turn your body sideways, bring the racket back, and swing forward to meet the ball in front of you. Follow through by bringing the racket up and over your opposite shoulder.

Badminton is all about quickness and control.The Grip: Hold the badminton racket lightly, like you're holding a small bird. Your grip should be relaxed, not tight. This allows you to use your wrist.The Serve: In badminton, you must serve underhand. Drop the birdie in front of you and swing the racket forward in an upward motion to hit it over the net to the opposite service box.The Wrist Flick: Many shots in badminton, especially overhead ones, get their power from a quick flick of the wrist right at the moment you hit the birdie. It's less about a big arm swing and more about this fast, snappy motion.