Lesson 5 - Striking and Rally Building
Hand-Eye Coordination Play
•Reception
•Net and Wall
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
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
Distributed to pairs at start of main session
Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls for easier control
Each pair gets 3 cones of same colour for warm-up
Alternative: Coloured markers, bean bags
Set at appropriate height for Reception children (waist high)
Alternative: Line of cones, benches turned on side
Mark areas on wall approximately 2m apart
Alternative: Large practice boards, rebound nets
Key Vocabulary
Hitting the ball with your open palm
Hitting the ball back and forth with a partner
Standing with feet apart, knees bent, hands ready to catch or hit
Body sideways with one arm pointing forward and one arm back ready to strike
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
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