Lesson 1 - Ready Position Defence
Racket Mastery Basics
•Year 2
•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 the ready position help me defend my space and react quickly to moving objects?
Learning Objectives
- To understand and demonstrate the ready position for quick movement
- To defend space effectively by using the ready position
- To react quickly from the ready position to catch or intercept balls
Key Outcomes
- Students will consistently demonstrate the ready position with correct technique
- Students will move quickly from ready position to defend their space
- Students will understand why the ready position helps with quick reactions
Equipment & Resources Required
Scattered around space for warm-up, then arranged for goals and boundaries
Alternative: Markers, bean bags, or chalk lines
Distributed to pairs during skill development activities
Alternative: Soft play balls, bean bags, or playground balls for easier catching
Key Vocabulary
Standing with feet hip-width apart, knees bent, ready to move quickly in any direction
To protect your space or goal from the opponent
To respond quickly to what you see happening
To catch or stop a ball before it reaches its target
Keeping your body steady and in control
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic running and changing direction
- Simple catching and throwing skills
- Understanding of personal space
Current Skills
- Ready position technique
- Quick directional movement from stationary position
- Defending space using body position
Next Steps
- Ready position in competitive net and wall games
- Advanced defensive positioning
- Anticipating opponent movements
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Ready position has three key elements: feet hip-width apart, knees bent, weight on balls of feet
- Always return to ready position between movements and activities
- Ready position enables quick movement in any direction compared to other starting positions
- Use quick small steps rather than big strides when moving from ready position
- Maintain ready position even when waiting or anticipating opponent's moves
- Connect ready position technique to improved performance in games
- Emphasise defensive applications of ready position in net and wall games
Common Misconceptions
- Ready position is just standing normally - emphasise the specific technical elements
- Only need ready position at the start of activities - stress returning to position repeatedly
- Bigger steps are faster - teach that quick small steps are more effective
- Ready position is only for defence - show applications in both offensive and defensive play
- Can skip ready position if already moving - demonstrate importance of resetting position
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Frequent position checks, regular movement breaks, clear boundaries and expectations, positive reinforcement for focus
dyspraxia
- Break down ready position into smaller steps, allow extra practice time, use physical supports if needed for balance
autism spectrum
- Clear visual routine cards, consistent language for ready position cues, quiet zones available if overstimulated
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured cones, provide verbal descriptions of ready position, allow partner guidance during movement activities
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for directions, visual cues for ready position elements
physical disability
- Adapt ready position for seated students, modify movement activities to suit mobility levels, provide alternative scoring methods
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting repetitions and scores, understanding of directions (North/South/East/West), spatial relationships and distance measurement
Science
Forces and motion in jumping and direction changes, balance and stability concepts, reaction times and the nervous system
Geography
Compass directions and spatial orientation, understanding of relative positioning
PSHE
Turn-taking and fair play, supporting partner's learning, resilience when activities are challenging, celebrating others' success
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter during activities to observe all students, position centrally for demonstrations and instructions
Observation Focus
Watch for consistent ready position technique, appropriate competitive behaviour, safe movement patterns, engagement levels
Intervention Points
Step in if ready position technique deteriorates, if games become too competitive, if students show signs of fatigue, if safety is compromised
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate ready position with exaggerated technique for visibility, show common mistakes alongside correct technique, involve students in demonstrations when appropriate
Verbal Cues
- •'Ready position - check your knees are bent!'
- •'Feet like train tracks, knees like sitting down!'
- •'Return to your ready position!'
- •'Use quick small steps to reach the ball!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m clear space for whole class movement and pair activities
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, free from water, debris, or obstacles
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check cones for cracks or sharp edges before use
- •Ensure tennis balls are in good condition without splits
- •Verify adequate number of cones for safe spacing
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during directional running
- •Slips from quick directional changes
- •Ball strikes from tennis ball activities
- •Overexertion during repeated activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and directional markers established
- •Adequate spacing between students and pairs maintained
- •Progressive introduction of speed and intensity
- •Constant supervision of pair work
- •Regular ready position checks for safe movement
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe maximum number of students
- •Move around space during pair activities
- •Monitor energy levels and technique degradation
- •Check appropriate competitive intensity
Emergency Procedures
Stop signal established for immediate cessation of activity, clear pathways to exit, first aid kit accessible