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Lesson 4 - Ready Position and Forehand Control

Net Rally Fundamentals

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Year 2

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Net and Wall

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45 min

Big Question

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

Bats

1 per student (30)

Check all rackets for damage, ensure appropriate size for Year 2

Alternative: Tennis rackets, table tennis bats

Soft Dodgeballs

1 per student (30)

Soft balls reduce injury risk and improve confidence

Alternative: Tennis balls, bean bags for beginners

Coloured Cones

8-10

For creating nets, boundaries and targets

Alternative: Markers, spots

Nets

4-6 lengths

Create imaginary nets at appropriate height

Alternative: Cones in a line, benches

Key Vocabulary

Ready Position

The starting position with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, racket up and ready to move

Forehand

Striking the ball with the palm of the hand facing the direction of the shot

Grip

How you hold the racket handle, forming a V-shape with thumb and forefinger

T-Shape

Body position with arms outstretched sideways and body upright, resembling the letter T

Rally

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

Maintains correct grip throughout activities

Moves efficiently from ready position

Shows improving accuracy in striking

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