Target cups game

Setup

1. Stand four to six light plastic cups upside down on the coach's half, spread across forehand and backhand sides.
2. Two small teams queue behind the hitting end, a few steps back and to the side so the hitter has room.
3. Coach feeds from the side of the far end, bucket raised off the floor and out of the players' way.

How it runs

1. The coach feeds one ball to the first player, alternating forehand and backhand from turn to turn.
2. The player drives it at the cups: one point for hitting a cup, two for knocking one over. A ball that lands on the table but misses still earns a cheer.
3. After each hit, the player goes to the back of their team's queue and the next player from the other team steps in.
4. The coach stands knocked cups back up between turns. First team to ten points wins, then rearrange the cups.
5. Collect stray balls between rounds so nobody steps on one.

Coaching points

• Pick a cup before the feed comes and look at it.
• Forehand: turn and hit in front. Backhand: elbow forward, bat to target.
• Control beats power: a steady drive hits more cups.
• Back to ready, then off to the queue.

Common mistakes

• Swinging wildly at the cups and missing the table.
• Running to the queue across the hitting area.
• Arguing over points; let the coach be the referee.