Lesson 6 - Sending a Ball with a Racket
Net Games & Racket Skills
•Year 1
•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 I use a racket to control where my ball goes?
Learning Objectives
- To develop sending a ball using a racket
- To improve underarm throwing accuracy to a partner
- To understand basic racket control and ball tracking
Key Outcomes
- Students will be able to push and hit a ball using a racket
- Students will demonstrate underarm throwing to a partner
- Students will show awareness of ball tracking and positioning
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around activity areas
Alternative: Soft play balls, bean bags for initial practice
Check grip size appropriate for Year 1
Alternative: Short rackets, padder tennis bats for smaller hands
Set up 5m wide goals for Floor Tennis
Alternative: Markers, bean bags as goal posts
Available for students needing easier option
Alternative: Larger soft balls for differentiation
Key Vocabulary
The stringed hitting surface of the racket
Throwing with hand starting below shoulder level
Standing with side of body facing the direction you want to hit
Watching the ball from start to finish of its flight
Balanced stance ready to move in any direction
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball handling and throwing skills
- Understanding of personal space
- Simple catching and collecting
Current Skills
- Racket control for pushing balls
- Underarm throwing accuracy
- Ball tracking and positioning
Next Steps
- Hitting balls after a bounce
- Simple rallying with a partner
- Introduction to targets and scoring
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Always watch the ball from start to finish of its journey
- Stand sideways like a crab when hitting for better control and power
- Use the centre of the racket strings for best ball control
- Point your racket where you want the ball to go after hitting
- Wait for the ball to bounce once before trying to hit it
- Gentle pushes work better than hard hits for accuracy
- Good sports always agree on scores and help partners succeed
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking harder hits are always better - teach control over power
- Facing forward when hitting - demonstrate sideways stance benefits
- Only focusing on their own success - emphasise helping partner succeed
- Rushing to hit before ball bounces - teach patience and timing
- Using edge of racket - show sweet spot in centre of strings
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with movement breaks, clear visual boundaries, regular positive feedback
dyspraxia
- Larger, lighter rackets, slower-moving balls, extra practice time, step-by-step visual guides
autism spectrum
- Clear visual routine cards, quiet practice area available, consistent partner pairings
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls, verbal descriptions of ball position, tactile guidance for racket grip
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations with clear gestures, written instruction cards, partner support for communication
physical disability
- Seated versions with larger rackets, balloon instead of ball, modified distances
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting successful hits, measuring distances between partners, angles for ball direction
Science
Forces and motion - how pushing affects ball speed and direction, gravity effects on dropped balls
Geography
Directional language - left, right, forward, backward, spatial positioning
PSHE
Cooperation and turn-taking, managing frustration when skills are challenging, celebrating others' success
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter to observe all pairs, central position for demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for ball tracking, sideways stance, and cooperative turn-taking
Intervention Points
Step in when safety rules not followed or when students become frustrated
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements to show techniques, involve confident students in demonstrations
Verbal Cues
- •'Watch the ball with your eyes!'
- •'Stand like a crab - sideways on!'
- •'Point your racket where you want the ball to go!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m indoor hall or outdoor hard surface
Surface Check
Dry, non-slip surface free from obstacles and debris
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check racket strings are secure and handles not cracked
- •Ensure balls are soft foam type appropriate for age group
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges or cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Racket contact with other students
- •Slips during rapid direction changes
- •Collisions when collecting balls
Risk Mitigation
- •All hitting activities in same direction
- •Clear boundaries and adequate spacing
- •Controlled movement with emphasis on awareness
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all pairs during partner work
- •Extra attention during drop and hit for directional safety
- •Monitor equipment handling and collection
Emergency Procedures
Stop, assess, appropriate first aid if needed, safe evacuation route established