Lesson 4 - Moving to Return the Ball
Rally Progression Techniques
•Year 3
•Tennis
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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
Check all racquets for damage, ensure appropriate grip size
Alternative: Table tennis bats, or hands only for beginners
Use slower balls to allow more time for movement
Alternative: Bean bags, soft play balls for safety
Height approximately 60cm, stable and secure
Alternative: Cones with rope, painted lines on ground
Mark court boundaries and start lines clearly
Alternative: Chalk marks, painted lines
Help distinguish partners and roles during activities
Alternative: None essential
Key Vocabulary
To follow the ball with your eyes throughout its entire flight path
Moving your body to the best place to intercept and return the ball
A tennis stroke played with the racquet across the body with the back of the hand leading
To throw or hit the ball to your partner in a controlled way for them to practice
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
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