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Lesson 6 - Rally Skills and Competition

Racquet Skills & Control

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Year 2

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Sending and Receiving

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45 min

Big Question

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

Tennis Rackets

1 per student (30)

Check grip size is appropriate for students' hands

Alternative: Paddle bats, foam racquets for smaller hands

Low-Compression Tennis Balls

2 per pair (30 balls)

Store extras around court perimeter for quick collection

Alternative: Foam balls, beach balls for slower play

Cones

32 (8 per court)

Mark 2m x 2m courts with clear corner markers

Alternative: Chalk lines, rope for boundaries

Nets

4 (1 per court)

Height approximately 60cm for Year 2 students

Alternative: Rope between cones, gymnastics benches

Competition Planner

4 sheets

Pre-prepared round-robin schedules for each court

Alternative: Clipboard and paper, whiteboard

Score Sheets

15 (1 per pair)

Simple tick-box format for young children

Alternative: Small whiteboards, mental scoring

Key Vocabulary

Rally

A sequence of shots between players where the ball goes back and forth over the net

Ready Position

Balanced stance with knees bent, racquet centred, and eyes watching the ball

Self-feed

Dropping the ball to yourself and hitting it to start a rally or practice

Round-robin

Competition format where everyone plays everyone else once

Court boundaries

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

Consistent ready position maintained throughout rally

Successful rally completion of 4+ exchanges

Accurate scoring and rule application

Good sportsmanship demonstrated

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