Lesson 5 - Rally and Return Skills
Net Rally Fundamentals
•Year 2
•Net and Wall
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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- Complete activity instructions & timing
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How can we work together to keep a rally going for longer?
Learning Objectives
- To return a ball after one bounce that has been thrown by a partner
- To begin rallying a few shots with increasing success
- To demonstrate effective communication and cooperation with others
Key Outcomes
- Students will consistently return balls after one bounce using correct technique
- Students will maintain rallies of 3-5 shots with a partner
- Students will communicate positively and support their partner's learning
Equipment & Resources Required
Check string tension and handle size appropriate for Year 2
Alternative: Badminton rackets, table tennis bats
Use low-pressure balls for easier control
Alternative: Foam balls, bean bags for beginners
Arrange in triangle formation for warm-up activity
Alternative: Bean bags, hoops
Create clear boundaries for game areas
Alternative: Chalk lines, rope
Key Vocabulary
Hitting the ball back and forth between players continuously
Balanced stance with racket up, knees bent, ready to move
Hitting the ball with palm of hand facing forward
The playing area bounded by lines or cones
Throwing or hitting the ball gently to your partner to start a rally
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic racket grip and ready position
- Understanding of over the net concept
- Simple ball striking skills
Current Skills
- Returning balls after one bounce
- Maintaining short rallies
- Moving to intercept the ball
Next Steps
- Returning balls before they bounce
- Longer rally sequences
- Tactical awareness and placement
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Maintain correct Eastern forehand grip throughout all activities
- Emphasise ready position with weight on balls of feet
- Develop controlled striking focusing on placement over power
- Build rallies progressively from single returns to sequences
- Foster cooperation through supportive feeding and encouragement
- Apply safety awareness especially regarding backswing space
- Use self-assessment to develop reflective learning skills
Common Misconceptions
- Harder hitting makes better players - correct with control emphasis
- Only the final shot in rally matters - teach value of every shot
- Competition means not helping opponent - promote cooperative competition
- Ready position is just standing still - emphasise active, balanced stance
- Good players don't need to practise basics - reinforce fundamental importance
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries, frequent positive feedback, movement breaks
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment, simplified movements, extra practice time, step-by-step instructions
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule, quiet areas available for breaks
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls, verbal cues for ball position, partner guidance system
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations, hand signals for game rules, written instruction cards
physical disability
- Seated play options, modified rackets, adjusted court sizes, rolling balls
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting rally shots, measuring court distances, understanding angles and trajectories
Science
Forces and motion in ball striking, cause and effect in rally sequences, body coordination
Geography
Spatial awareness, direction and positioning concepts, mapping court layouts
PSHE
Cooperation skills, communication, resilience when facing challenges, celebrating others' success
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter to observe all pairs, central position for demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for grip consistency, ready position, cooperation between partners
Intervention Points
Step in when safety awareness decreases or technique significantly deteriorates
Demonstration Notes
Use successful students as models, exaggerate movements for visibility, emphasise key points clearly
Verbal Cues
- •'Ready position!'
- •'Gentle feeding!'
- •'Check your space!'
- •'Side-on for forehand!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m clear area, multiple court spaces marked with cones
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from obstacles, adequate grip for quick movements
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check racket strings are secure and handles appropriate size
- •Ensure balls are in good condition without cracks
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges or damage
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Racket contact with other students during backswing
- •Slips and falls during quick direction changes
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Collisions between pairs in adjacent courts
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear court boundaries established with adequate spacing
- •Explicit teaching of backswing awareness
- •Emphasis on controlled striking rather than power
- •Progressive skill building from stationary to movement
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all court areas
- •Monitor high-activity areas during games
- •Watch for fatigue affecting safety awareness
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately on 'STOP' call, assess any injuries, appropriate first aid response