Lesson 6 - Rally Skills and Competition
Racquet Skills & Control
•Year 2
•Sending and Receiving
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can we use our sending and receiving skills to compete fairly and successfully in rallies?
Learning Objectives
- To use the ready position effectively in rally situations
- To combine self-feeding and returning skills in competitive play
- To understand scoring systems and fair play in net wall games
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate the ready position with knees bent and racquet centred
- Students will maintain rallies using self-feed and return techniques
- Students will score games accurately and show good sportsmanship
Equipment & Resources Required
Check grip size is appropriate for students' hands
Alternative: Paddle bats, foam racquets for smaller hands
Store extras around court perimeter for quick collection
Alternative: Foam balls, beach balls for slower play
Mark 2m x 2m courts with clear corner markers
Alternative: Chalk lines, rope for boundaries
Height approximately 60cm for Year 2 students
Alternative: Rope between cones, gymnastics benches
Pre-prepared round-robin schedules for each court
Alternative: Clipboard and paper, whiteboard
Simple tick-box format for young children
Alternative: Small whiteboards, mental scoring
Key Vocabulary
A sequence of shots between players where the ball goes back and forth over the net
Balanced stance with knees bent, racquet centred, and eyes watching the ball
Dropping the ball to yourself and hitting it to start a rally or practice
Competition format where everyone plays everyone else once
The marked area where the game must be played
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Self-feeding technique from lesson 5
- Boundary rules from lesson 3
- Basic striking with hand or racquet
- Understanding of net wall game concepts
Current Skills
- Ready position for rallies
- Combining skills in competitive situations
- Scoring and competition format understanding
- Movement towards the ball from ready position
Next Steps
- Advanced rally techniques
- Tactical awareness in net wall games
- Tournament play formats
- Teaching skills to younger students
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Ready position with knees bent and racquet centred is essential for successful rallies
- Cooperation between partners is more important than winning individual points
- Quick, small steps from ready position allow better ball reaching than large movements
- Honest scoring and good sportsmanship are as important as technical skills
- Watching the ball constantly helps with timing and positioning
- Gentle, controlled shots help maintain rallies better than powerful hitting
- Practice ready position between every shot to maintain consistency
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking rallies are about hitting the ball as hard as possible - emphasise control and cooperation
- Believing ready position is only needed at the start - reinforce returning to position after each shot
- Assuming competition means being unfriendly to opponents - model positive sportsmanship
- Thinking one bounce is always better than two - explain that success is about keeping the rally going
- Believing only winners are successful - celebrate effort, improvement, and good sportsmanship
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter game periods, clear role definitions, regular movement between activities, positive behaviour focus
dyspraxia
- Larger, softer balls, simplified scoring system, extra practice time for ready position, peer support
autism spectrum
- Clear, consistent routines for court changes, visual schedule of tournament matches, quiet zone if needed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide audio cues for ready position, buddy system for court navigation
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of ready position, hand signals for scoring, written competition schedules
physical disability
- Adapted ready position for wheelchair users, larger target areas, modified scoring system
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following written tournament schedules, explaining tactics and techniques to others
Maths
Scoring systems using 1 and 2 point values, counting rally exchanges, tournament point totals
Science
Balance and forces during ready position, ball bounce physics, reaction time concepts
PSHE
Fair play and honesty, cooperation and teamwork, dealing with competition pressure
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position allowing view of all courts, rotate between courts during practice
Observation Focus
Ready position consistency, cooperation quality, fair play demonstration
Intervention Points
Step in if students become frustrated, ensure scoring honesty, support struggling pairs
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for ready position, model positive encouragement, show controlled technique
Verbal Cues
- •'Knees bent, racquet ready!'
- •'Watch the ball, quick feet!'
- •'Work together, help your partner!'
- •'Fair play, honest scoring!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large hall minimum 15m x 10m with four 2m x 2m courts marked
Surface Check
Non-slip, dry surface free from obstacles and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check racquet handles are secure and appropriate size
- •Ensure balls are in good condition without cracks
- •Verify net heights are appropriate for age group
- •Confirm cones are stable and visible
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students moving to collect balls
- •Racquet contact with other students during swinging
- •Tripping over court boundaries or equipment
- •Ball strikes to face or body
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear rules about staying within own court during play
- •Designated ball collection times when all play stops
- •Adequate spacing between courts for safe movement
- •Emphasis on controlled, not powerful shots
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all four courts
- •Monitor ball collection procedures carefully
- •Watch for appropriate spacing during movement
- •Ensure sportsmanship remains positive
Emergency Procedures
Stop all play immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required