Lesson 4 - Ready Position and Forehand Control
Net Rally Fundamentals
•Year 2
•Net and Wall
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can mastering the ready position help us become better racket players?
Learning Objectives
- Develop correct grip and ready position for racket sports
- Improve consistency and accuracy in forehand striking
- Begin to link basic skills into sequences of movement
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate a proper ready position with correct stance
- Students will show improved control when striking with forehand technique
- Students will combine movement and ball control in simple sequences
Equipment & Resources Required
Check all rackets for damage, ensure appropriate size for Year 2
Alternative: Tennis rackets, table tennis bats
Soft balls reduce injury risk and improve confidence
Alternative: Tennis balls, bean bags for beginners
For creating nets, boundaries and targets
Alternative: Markers, spots
Create imaginary nets at appropriate height
Alternative: Cones in a line, benches
Key Vocabulary
The starting position with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, racket up and ready to move
Striking the ball with the palm of the hand facing the direction of the shot
How you hold the racket handle, forming a V-shape with thumb and forefinger
Body position with arms outstretched sideways and body upright, resembling the letter T
Hitting the ball back and forth between players continuously
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball handling and catching skills
- Simple striking with hand or implement
- Understanding of personal space and movement
Current Skills
- Correct racket grip formation
- Ready position and quick movement
- Forehand striking technique and control
Next Steps
- Backhand technique development
- Consistent rally play
- Understanding of court positioning
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Ready position is foundation - feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, weight forward
- Correct grip forms V-shape pointing down handle, not across it
- Forehand technique starts with side-on stance and controlled follow-through
- Ball control develops through progressive challenges from individual to partner work
- Game application should emphasise cooperation before competition
- Self-assessment helps students understand their own progress and areas for improvement
- Safety requires constant awareness of space and equipment control
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking grip should be very tight - actually needs to be relaxed for control
- Believing power is more important than accuracy - control comes first
- Assuming ready position is just standing still - it's an active, prepared stance
- Thinking all shots should be hit immediately - sometimes stopping first is better
- Believing competition is most important - cooperation builds better skills
- Assuming perfect technique comes immediately - improvement takes practice and patience
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Frequent activity changes, clear physical boundaries, regular positive feedback and movement breaks
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment, simplified movement patterns, extra practice time for grip and stance
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule of lesson sections, quiet space available if overwhelmed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide audio cues for ready position, buddy system for spatial awareness
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations emphasised, hand signals for ready position, written instruction cards available
physical disability
- Adapted grip supports, seated ready position option, modified striking distances and heights
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting rally shots, measuring distances for court setup, understanding angles in striking
Science
Forces in striking, balance and centre of gravity in ready position, reaction times in defence
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding of court areas and boundaries
PSHE
Cooperation and teamwork, managing emotions in competitive situations, celebrating others' success
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter to observe all students, position for maximum visibility during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for correct grip formation, ready position quality, and skill linking development
Intervention Points
Step in for safety issues, support struggling students with physical guidance, extend challenge for advanced students
Demonstration Notes
Use confident students as models, exaggerate key points for visibility, demonstrate common mistakes to highlight corrections
Verbal Cues
- •'Ready position - check your feet!'
- •'Watch the ball with your eyes!'
- •'Soft touches, not hard hits!'
- •'Work together in your rally!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Full hall space minimum 15m x 20m, clear of obstacles
Surface Check
Dry, non-slip surface free from equipment and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all rackets for cracks or loose strings
- •Ensure soft balls only for game activities
- •Verify cones are in good condition with no sharp edges
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Racket contact between students
- •Slips during quick movement
- •Ball strikes to face or body
Risk Mitigation
- •Adequate spacing maintained throughout
- •Soft balls used for all partner/game work
- •Clear rules about racket control and awareness
- •Progressive skill building from individual to partner work
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all students during movement activities
- •Monitor pair work for appropriate contact and behaviour
- •Watch for fatigue and adjust intensity accordingly
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, apply basic first aid if qualified, seek additional support as needed