Grip Basics Slides Swing Stars Academy
Grip & Balance
Lesson 1: The Foundation
Safety Protocol
Your "Bubble"
Keep a one-arm length distance plus the length of your racquet from anyone else.
The Ground Rule
When the whistle blows, racquets go on the floor immediately.
The Shake Hands Grip
1. Reach out
Pretend you are greeting a friend!
2. Wrap it up
V-shape between thumb and index finger.
"Not too tight, not too loose—just right!"
Balance Pro
The Tightrope Walk
1
Place your beanbag on the center of the strings.
2
Keep your racquet level like a table .
3
Walk slowly along the gym lines without dropping it!
How does your wrist help keep the ball still?
Discuss with a partner before we start!
Balance Master Checklist Balance Master
Swing Stars Academy: Lesson 1
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
The Balance Quests
Check off each quest as you complete it. Remember to keep your racquet flat like a table!
The Statue
Balance a beanbag while standing perfectly still for 10 seconds.
The Tightrope
Walk along a gym line from one end to the other without dropping the beanbag.
The Low-Crawl
Slowly bend your knees to a squat and stand back up while keeping the beanbag balanced.
The Switcheroo
Try balancing the beanbag on the other side of your racquet (flip it over!).
Post-Mission Debrief
Which quest was the hardest? Why?
Draw a picture of your "Shake Hands" grip below. Label the 'V' shape!
(Draw your hand holding the racquet here)
Pro Tip: Keep your eyes on the beanbag, not your feet!
Balloon Pilot Slides Swing Stars Academy
Balloon Pilot
Lesson 2: Tracking & Timing
Eye on the Prize
Why use balloons?
They move in SLOW MOTION.
They give you time to TRACK.
They help you find your TIMING.
Tracking!
Striking Mechanics
1. Wait for it...
Let the balloon fall into your "Strike Zone" (between your waist and shoulders).
2. Push the Sky
Swing your racquet UPWARD . Try to make the balloon touch the ceiling!
Palm Up Technique
The Hoop Mission
Stay grounded, keep it flying!
Place It
Stand inside your hula hoop. This is your base.
Stay Put
Can you keep the balloon in the air without stepping out ?
Stack Hits
Count how many times you can hit it before it falls.
Where should you look while you swing?
The Teacher?
The Balloon!
Your Feet?
Balloon Mission Tracker Balloon Mission Tracker
Swing Stars Academy: Lesson 2
Pilot Name: _____________________
Date: ___________________________
Tracking Tip
Keep your eyes on the balloon until it touches your racquet strings. Use a "Palm Up" motion to push it back into the sky!
The Hoop Rule
Stay inside your hula hoop! If you step out, catch the balloon and start your count over.
Strike Mission Log
Mission Your High Score Mission A: How many upward strikes can you do in a row? ______ Mission B: How many strikes can you do while staying inside your hoop ? ______ Mission C: Strike the balloon with the back of your racquet! ______
Pilot Reflection
Was it easier to hit the balloon when it was high in the air or low near your waist?
What happens if you swing your racquet too fast?
Great job, Pilot! Keep your eyes on the balloon!
Forehand Flight Slides Swing Stars Academy
Forehand Flight
Lesson 3: The Low-to-High Swing
The Flight Path
Start Low
Finish High
"Your racquet is an airplane...
Step, Swing, Finish
1
Step In
Step with your opposite foot toward the ball.
2
Swing Low
Drop your racquet head below the ball height.
3
Finish High
Bring the racquet up to your opposite shoulder .
Shadow Training
A Shadow Swing is a practice swing with no ball.
Focus On:
Smooth motion
Belly button pointing forward
Follow through over the shoulder
Why do we need to swing LOW to HIGH?
"To help the ball clear the net and stay in the court!"
Forehand Flight Guide Forehand Flight Guide
Lesson 3: The Airplane Swing
Name: __________________________
1
Step In
Step with your opposite foot toward the ball.
2
Low-to-High
Swing your racquet like an airplane taking off!
3
The Finish
Racquet ends over your opposite shoulder.
Shadow Swing Training
No ball needed!
Perform 10 perfect shadow swings. Color in an airplane for each one you finish with a high follow-through!
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Pilot Reflection
When you hit the ball, where should your racquet finish?
Near my knees
Over my shoulder
Draw an arrow showing the "Low-to-High" flight path:
(Draw your arrow here)
Drop Hit Master Slides Swing Stars Academy
Drop-Hit Master
Lesson 4: Timing & Force
The Drop-Hit Combo
1
The Drop
Hold the ball at shoulder height . Let it fall—do not throw it down!
2
The Hit
Wait for the bounce. Swing low-to-high when it reaches your waist.
Drop...
Force Control
Soft
Gentle push. The ball travels a short distance.
Medium
Firm swing. The ball goes across the court.
"Can you hit it just hard enough to reach your partner's hands?"
Wall Rally
Self-Toss Mission
1. Stand 3 steps away from the gym wall.
2. Perform the Drop-Hit toward the wall.
3. Let it bounce once and catch it . Reset!
Catch and Reset!
Quality over Speed
Why do we "Reset" between hits?
"To make sure our feet and grip are perfect every single time!"
Drop Hit Lab Worksheet Drop Hit Lab
Lesson 4: Power & Precision
Scientist Name: _____________________
The Success Formula
DROP
BOUNCE
HIT
Strike Experiments
Experiment 1: Turtle Power (Soft)
Hit the ball gently to a partner or a wall just 3 steps away.
Did you catch it?
Yes
No
Experiment 2: Rabbit Power (Medium)
Hit the ball firmly to reach a target 6 steps away.
Did it hit the target?
Yes
No
Experiment 3: Consecutive Catch
How many Drop-Hit-Catches can you do in a row without chasing the ball?
My Record: __________
Lab Findings
To hit the ball farther, I need to:
Swing Slower
Swing Faster
The hardest part of the Drop-Hit was:
Practice makes progress! Great job today.
Directional Aim Slides Swing Stars Academy
Island Delivery
Lesson 5: Directional Accuracy
The Secret to Aim
The ball goes wherever your racquet face is pointing!
Try it out:
Face left → Ball goes left
Face right → Ball goes right
Face forward → Ball goes center
Point the Face!
Mission: Island Delivery
Deliver 3 supplies (balls) to each island!
1
Left Island
Turn your racquet face toward the gym's left corner.
2
Middle Island
Keep your racquet face square to the wall or net.
3
Right Island
Turn your racquet face toward the gym's right corner.
Pro Accuracy Tips
Look & Point
Look at your target before you hit.towards the target!
Controlled Force
Use Medium Power .
What was the most important skill we learned in Swing Stars?
The Grip
The Eye Tracking
The Swing Path
The Direction
You are all Stars!
Island Delivery Scorecard Island Scorecard
Lesson 5: Graduation Challenge
Navigator: _____________________
Mission Briefing
Your goal is to deliver 3 supplies to each island using your racquet. Point your racquet face at the island you want the ball to land on!
Left Island
1
Success?
2
Success?
3
Success?
Middle Island
1
Success?
2
Success?
3
Success?
Right Island
1
Success?
2
Success?
3
Success?
Final Log Entry
To hit the ball to the Right Island, my racquet face had to:
Point straight forward
Point toward the right
What was your favorite part of Swing Stars Academy?
Academy Graduate!
