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Lesson 4 - Moving to Return the Ball

Rally Progression Techniques

•

Year 3

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Tennis

•

45 min

Big Question

How can we move our body to intercept and return a moving ball like a tennis champion?

Learning Objectives

To develop the ability to track and move towards a ball for effective return
To perform a basic forehand shot whilst moving to intercept the ball
To demonstrate cooperative play by accurately feeding balls to a partner

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully move towards and catch/return balls from different directions
Students will demonstrate improved ball tracking and positioning skills
Students will work cooperatively to challenge and support their partner's development

Equipment & Resources Required

Tennis Rackets

1 per student (30)

Check all racquets for damage, ensure appropriate grip size

Alternative: Table tennis bats, or hands only for beginners

Tennis Balls

1 per pair (15)

Use slower balls to allow more time for movement

Alternative: Bean bags, soft play balls for safety

Benches

1 per pair (15)

Height approximately 60cm, stable and secure

Alternative: Cones with rope, painted lines on ground

Dish Cones

Mark court boundaries and start lines clearly

Alternative: Chalk marks, painted lines

Bibs

15 different colours

Help distinguish partners and roles during activities

Alternative: None essential

Key Vocabulary

Track

To follow the ball with your eyes throughout its entire flight path

Positioning

Moving your body to the best place to intercept and return the ball

Forehand

A tennis stroke played with the racquet across the body with the back of the hand leading

Feed

To throw or hit the ball to your partner in a controlled way for them to practice

Intercept

To move to meet the ball and catch or return it before it gets past you

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic ball tracking skills from previous lessons
Understanding of underarm serve technique from lesson 3
Experience working cooperatively in pairs

Current Skills

Moving efficiently towards a moving ball
Positioning body correctly for ball return
Coordinating movement with ball contact
Strategic ball placement to challenge partners

Next Steps

Developing more advanced footwork patterns
Introduction to basic rally play
Learning to return balls at different heights and speeds

Milestone Indicators

Consistent ball tracking throughout flight

Smooth movement towards balls in all directions

Successful returns with increasing accuracy

Demonstration of tactical thinking in ball placement

Key Teaching Points

Eyes must track the ball throughout its entire flight path from release to contact
Move feet first to get behind the ball before attempting any return
Sideways stance provides better control and power for returns
Encourage partners by providing fair, achievable challenges
Start with catching, progress to hand returns, then advance to racquet use
Positioning is more important than power in developing tennis skills
Cooperation in rallies teaches more than competitive point-scoring

Common Misconceptions

Students think they should stand still and wait for the ball to come to them - teach active movement to intercept
Students believe harder returns are better - emphasise control and accuracy over power
Students think tennis is only about hitting winners - focus on cooperation and rally building
Students may think they need to face forward when catching - teach sideways stance benefits
Students assume they should use racquets immediately - build foundation skills with hands first

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity bursts, clear physical boundaries, regular movement breaks, immediate positive feedback

dyspraxia

Larger, slower balls, reduced complexity, extra practice time, break down movements into smaller steps

autism spectrum

Clear visual boundaries, predictable routines, quiet zones available, advance warning of activity changes

visual impairment

Use bright coloured balls, audible balls if available, verbal descriptions of ball direction, buddy system for guidance

hearing impairment

Clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for directions, written instruction cards, ensure student can see teacher

physical disability

Seated catching versions, modified distances, lighter equipment, wheelchair accessible court layouts

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Counting rally scores, measuring court distances, calculating angles of ball direction

Science

Forces in ball throwing and catching, gravity affecting ball flight, reaction time and reflexes

Geography

Directions and spatial awareness, mapping movement patterns around courts

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, managing emotions in competitive situations, supporting others' learning

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move constantly between courts to observe all pairs, position at corner for maximum visibility during demonstrations

Observation Focus

Watch for correct movement patterns, ball tracking consistency, cooperative partner interactions, and safety compliance

Intervention Points

Step in if students struggling with positioning concept, unsafe racquet handling, or poor partner cooperation

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated movements for visibility, demonstrate both correct and incorrect techniques for contrast, involve students in demonstrations when appropriate

Verbal Cues

•'Eyes on the ball!'
•'Get behind it!'
•'Move your feet first!'
•'Controlled returns!'
•'Help your partner succeed!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 20m area, clear of obstacles with adequate run-off zones

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from hazards, non-slip flooring essential

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all racquets for cracks or loose strings before use
•Ensure balls are in good condition without splits or damage
•Verify nets/benches are stable and at appropriate height

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Ball strikes to face or body during returns
•Collisions when moving quickly to intercept balls
•Trips and falls when changing direction rapidly
•Racquet contact between players in close proximity

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established with adequate spacing between courts
•Progressive skill building from catching to hand returns to racquet use
•Emphasis on controlled movements rather than maximum speed
•Constant supervision during racquet use with safety reminders

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all courts simultaneously
•Monitor high-activity areas during rally games
•Watch for fatigue affecting coordination and safety

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately, assess injury, appropriate first aid and support, incident reporting as required

Lesson 4 - Moving to Return the Ball

How can we move our body to intercept and return a moving ball like a tennis champion?

Learning Objectives

Key Outcomes

Equipment & Resources Required

Key Vocabulary

Skill Progression Pathway

Prior Learning

Current Skills

Next Steps

Milestone Indicators

Key Teaching Points

Common Misconceptions

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

dyspraxia

autism spectrum

visual impairment

hearing impairment

physical disability

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Science

Geography

PSHE

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Observation Focus

Intervention Points

Demonstration Notes

Verbal Cues

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Surface Check

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

Risk Management

Key Risks

Risk Mitigation

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

Emergency Procedures

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