Lesson 1 - Ready Position and Ball Tracking
Rally Building Basics
•Year 3
•Tennis
•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 become a better tennis player?
Learning Objectives
- To understand and demonstrate the ready position in tennis
- To track a moving ball and position body effectively
- To catch a ball after one bounce using proper technique
Key Outcomes
- Students will consistently use the ready position when receiving balls
- Students will move their feet to stay in line with approaching balls
- Students will catch tennis balls after one bounce with improved accuracy
Equipment & Resources Required
Store in central basket for easy distribution
Alternative: Softer foam balls for students with catching difficulties
Use different colours to mark court areas and boundaries
Alternative: Chalk lines, rope, or existing court markings
Available for students needing larger target practice
Alternative: Larger beach balls or soft play balls
Key Vocabulary
The starting stance in tennis with feet apart, knees bent, and eyes focused on the ball
Following the path of the ball with your eyes while moving your body to intercept it
A throwing technique where the ball is released below shoulder height with an upward motion
Catching a ball immediately after it has bounced once on the ground
The designated playing space marked out with cones or lines
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic throwing and catching skills
- Understanding of personal space
- Ability to follow simple game rules
Current Skills
- Ready position technique and application
- Ball tracking and footwork
- Underarm throwing accuracy
- Anticipation and reaction skills
Next Steps
- Introduction to basic racket skills
- Wall practice for consistent returns
- Simple rally techniques
- Court positioning and movement patterns
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Ready position is the foundation of all tennis movement - feet apart, knees bent, weight forward
- Ball tracking starts with the eyes - watch the ball from the thrower's hand to your hands
- Movement from ready position should be explosive and purposeful, not hesitant
- Return to ready position immediately after each ball contact or movement
- Underarm throwing should create a gentle arc, not a hard straight line
- Catching after one bounce requires positioning body behind the ball
- Fair play and encouragement make tennis enjoyable for everyone
Common Misconceptions
- Ready position is just standing still - correct by emphasising dynamic balance and readiness to spring
- Throwing harder means better - correct by focusing on accuracy and appropriate pace for partner
- Looking at feet helps with ready position - correct by emphasising forward focus and ball watching
- Catching is just about hands - correct by teaching whole body positioning and footwork
- Tennis is only about winning points - correct by emphasising skill development and fair play
- Ready position is only for tennis - correct by connecting to other sports and movement situations
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries and structure, offer regular movement breaks, give specific roles and responsibilities
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment initially, reduce complexity of movement patterns, provide extra practice time, break skills into smaller components
autism spectrum
- Establish clear routines and expectations, provide visual schedule of lesson activities, create quiet zones for breaks if needed, use consistent verbal cues
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured tennis balls, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, implement buddy system for spatial awareness, use audio cues for ready position
hearing impairment
- Ensure clear visual demonstrations, use hand signals for commands, provide written instruction cards, position student where they can see teacher clearly
physical disability
- Adapt ready position for seated participants, use larger/softer balls for easier catching, modify throwing distances, provide alternative scoring methods
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting successful catches and throws, measuring distances for court setup, calculating scores in games, understanding angles of ball trajectory
Science
Forces and motion in ball trajectory, balance and centre of gravity in ready position, reaction times and nervous system responses, friction between feet and ground surface
Geography
Directions and spatial awareness during movement, mapping court areas and boundaries, understanding of relative positions in games
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation in partner activities, resilience when facing challenges, managing emotions during competitive games, fair play and honesty in scoring
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around the teaching area to observe all students, position at corners for maximum visibility during activities, stand where all students can see demonstrations clearly
Observation Focus
Watch for correct ready position technique, ball tracking skills, movement quality, and social interaction during partner and group work
Intervention Points
Step in if students struggling with ready position technique, if safety concerns arise, if game rules need clarification, or if behaviour management required
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate ready position with exaggerated movements for clarity, show common mistakes followed by correct technique, use students as positive examples when appropriate, maintain enthusiasm and energy throughout
Verbal Cues
- •'Ready position!' as reminder signal
- •'Watch the ball!' to focus attention
- •'Move your feet!' to encourage positioning
- •'Spring from ready!' to emphasise explosive movement
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m hall or playground area, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from water, debris, or trip hazards, suitable for running and stopping
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Tennis balls checked for correct pressure and no splits or damage
- •Cones checked for stability and no sharp edges or cracks
- •Equipment stored safely when not in use to prevent trip hazards
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during movement activities
- •Slips and falls during direction changes and stopping
- •Ball strikes to head or body during throwing activities
- •Overexertion during warm-up and skill practice
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and understood by all students
- •Adequate spacing maintained between students and pairs
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic activities
- •Emphasis on controlled movements rather than maximum speed
- •Regular hydration breaks in warm weather
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students during activities
- •Monitor high-activity areas during warm-up and games
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion
- •Ensure fair play and appropriate behaviour during competitive activities
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess severity, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required, complete accident report forms