Height of the balls, speed of the balls, direction of the balls and bounce of the balls. These are all thing that matters in tennis. Kids need to master these area in order to play better tennis.
Often enough we see kids being drilled with basket to get their strokes techniques better. Every session of practices are done this way. They look sound enough in hitting forehand and backhand throughout the session.
Put them with a friend of same level or lower, they will become something else. They can’t time the ball properly, and they are not able to “read” the balls quick enough to get to the balls. Why is that?
The answer is not enough free play. Players or junior should have also free play with their same level of players. This is because they will get all types of balls differing from height speed and spin. Players especially 10 and under may not be able to control the ball well like the coach able to.
When in practice sessions, coaches always giving the same type of spin, speed and height for the kids to hit the balls. This will make them able to reach the ball faster and anticipate the balls type easier. When playing with other kids, they will not have this privilege anymore. They have to be able to handle all sorts of balls coming.
Some of the balls may be under spin, with no pace, and moving to the ball should be quick in order to get prepared to hit with proper techniques.
Get players to hit free play with their friends. The more the better they will be able to anticipate the balls. Sometimes, playing this way in practice session is more beneficial than just making them hit from basket drills.
Put them in tennis court, and the instruction may be “just play”.
In Kangar Perlis where courts are always available, it is good to just connect with friends in just play session. They might not be able to rally long, but they will learn something. Every time they are in tennis court, they will learn something.