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Lesson 5 - Striking and Rally Building

Hand-Eye Coordination Play

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Reception

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Net and Wall

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45 min

Big Question

How can we work together to keep a ball in the air using our hands?

Learning Objectives

Develop striking skills using open palm with increasing accuracy
Begin to understand rally play and cooperative timing
Learn ready position and movement to the ball

Key Outcomes

Students will strike a ball with their palm over a net/line
Students will attempt to keep a rally going with a partner
Students will demonstrate effective communication during partner work

Equipment & Resources Required

Balls

1 per pair (15)

Distributed to pairs at start of main session

Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls for easier control

Coloured Cones

9 sets of 3 different colours (27 total)

Each pair gets 3 cones of same colour for warm-up

Alternative: Coloured markers, bean bags

Tennis Rackets

6-8 stations

Set at appropriate height for Reception children (waist high)

Alternative: Line of cones, benches turned on side

Wall Space

Wall area for 9 children

Mark areas on wall approximately 2m apart

Alternative: Large practice boards, rebound nets

Key Vocabulary

Strike

Hitting the ball with your open palm

Rally

Hitting the ball back and forth with a partner

Ready position

Standing with feet apart, knees bent, hands ready to catch or hit

T-position

Body sideways with one arm pointing forward and one arm back ready to strike

Net

The barrier we hit the ball over

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Can catch a large ball with two hands
Can throw underarm with some accuracy
Understands concept of taking turns

Current Skills

Striking with open palm
Ready position and movement to ball
Basic rally play with partner

Next Steps

Controlled striking to different areas
Longer rallies with consistency
Understanding basic net game tactics

Milestone Indicators

Consistent palm contact with ball

Movement towards ball before striking

Ability to maintain rally for 3+ hits

Key Teaching Points

T-position is fundamental for effective striking - body sideways, arms extended
Open palm contact provides better control than fist or fingertips
Ready position helps children react quickly to incoming balls
Partner cooperation is as important as individual skill development
Rally building requires patience and controlled force rather than power
Communication between partners prevents collisions and improves success
Progressive challenges (1,2,3 game) build confidence systematically

Common Misconceptions

Children think hitting harder always makes striking better - emphasise control over power
Some believe they must catch every ball perfectly - explain one bounce is acceptable
Children may think T-position is just for show - explain how it improves accuracy and power
Some think only the striker needs to be ready - emphasise receiver's ready position importance
Children might believe they should never let ball hit ground - clarify one bounce rule in rallies

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity bursts, frequent position changes, clear physical boundaries

dyspraxia

Slower demonstrations, extra practice time, simplified movement patterns

autism spectrum

Clear routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet practice space available

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls, verbal descriptions of all movements, tactile markers for court boundaries

hearing impairment

Clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, visual countdown timers

physical disability

Seated striking options, modified nets or targets, larger/softer balls as needed

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Counting rallies and successful catches, understanding sequences in 1,2,3 game

Science

Forces and motion in ball striking, understanding trajectory over nets

Geography

Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding directions and movement

PSHE

Cooperation, turn-taking, encouraging others, self-assessment and reflection

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position to observe all net stations, moving between pairs to provide individual feedback

Observation Focus

Watch for correct T-position, palm contact with ball, and partner cooperation

Intervention Points

Step in when pairs struggle with turn-taking or when striking technique needs immediate correction

Demonstration Notes

Use clear, exaggerated movements for T-position, demonstrate with confident child for peer modelling

Verbal Cues

•'Show me that T-position!'
•'Gentle strikes - your partner needs to catch it!'
•'Watch the ball all the way to your hands!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large indoor space minimum 15m x 20m or outdoor hard court area

Surface Check

Non-slip surface, free from water or debris, appropriate markings visible

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check balls are correctly inflated and appropriate size
•Ensure nets are securely fastened at correct height
•Verify cones have no sharp edges or cracks

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Ball strikes to face or body
•Collisions between pairs at adjacent nets
•Tripping over equipment or net supports

Risk Mitigation

•Adequate spacing between net stations (minimum 4m)
•Clear boundaries and playing areas established
•Emphasis on controlled striking rather than power
•Proper ready position teaching to protect receivers

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to observe all net stations simultaneously
•Move between groups to monitor technique and safety
•Ensure clear sight lines to all students during activity

Emergency Procedures

Stop signal established, first aid kit accessible, clear evacuation route identified