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Written By John Drzewiecki And Janine Hradsky

Introduction

This incredible racket can be easily substituted into any racket activity with the end result being increased success when striking. Whether it's Pickle Ball, racquetball, tennis or badminton, students enjoy the change of pace and the end result is a nice, solid stroke. Students also benefit from using this racket during practice drills, small group activities and non-traditional games, including games in the pool. This guide is designed to help you and your students get the most from your Checker Bat Pro.

Age Use: For the mid to upper elementary level through high school.

Objective: To increase striking skills.

Safety Suggestions: Be sure to reinforce the importance of hanging on to the racket when striking.

Games And Activities

Modified Tennis

Set Up: Use either a traditional or modified tennis court and give each student a Checker Bat Pro, along with a bin containing a variety of balls (tennis balls, shuttleball, Nerf� balls, ping pong balls, etc.). Each person should have a partner across from them on the other side of the net.
The Activity: Students can experiment with striking each of the balls and volley back and forth with their partner. The goal is to find and rank in order their favorite balls to hit and to keep track of the number of times they can volley the balls back and forth. When the teacher calls time, students rotate to new partners.
Adaptations: For students using wheelchairs, give them a buddy for ball retrieval.

Modified Badminton

This game is played either the same way as above using a badminton court, or it can be played as regular badminton using a shuttle ball and a Checker Bat Pro.

Balloon Volleyball

Set Up: Arrange students to 6 on a team on opposite sides of the volleyball net. Each student has a Checker Bat Pro, and there is one balloon for both teams.
The Game: Students volley the balloon back and forth as many times as they can with either one side against the other or both sides working together to come up with a combined score that other groups will tryto beat.

Checker Bat Bucket Ball

Set Up: Arrange dome cones upside down randomly around the gym. Give each student a Checker Bat Pro and a plastic Ball Pit ball.
The Game: On the signal to begin, students try to tap the balls into the dome cones. The person who taps the third ball into the dome cone (3 balls fit in a dome cone) gets to flip the dome cone over. Continue play until all dome cones are turned over.
Variation: Have students do one bounce to get the ball into the dome cones, then 2 bounces.

Checker Bat Newcome

Set Up: Arrange 2 teams on each side of the volleyball net. Give each person on ONE side a Checker Bat� Pro and have on hand a variety of balls.
The Game: Start with one ball at a time, but gradually increase the number of balls. Students with rackets tap balls over to the other side where the other team gets to catch the balls. After students catch the ball, they are to ROLL the ball under the net back to the students with the rackets. After all have practiced striking and catching, the catchers get the rackets.

Checker Bat 500

Set Up: Assign partners and give a Checker Bat Pro to one person in each group of 2 if outside with enough space. With less space, have one batter and several fielders. Have several bins on hand with a variety of balls from which to choose. Students spread out and give themselves plenty of room.
The Game: The batter can hit a variety of balls to their fielder(s). The fielder(s) score(s) the following points for balls caught:

On a fly = 100
On 1 bounce = 75
On 2 bounces = 50
Catching a ground ball = 25

Clean Up Your Yard

Set Up: Have 2 teams on each side of the volleyball net or a line of cones and give each person a Checker Bat Pro. Distribute an unequal number of balls on the 2 sides.
The Game: On the signal to begin, players continuously tap balls onto the other side of the net or cones until they hear the signal to stop. The goal is to end up with fewer balls than the other team when time is called.