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Lesson 1 - Ready Position & Return

Rally Progression Techniques

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Year 3

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Tennis

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45 min

Big Question

How can the ready position help us become better tennis players?

Learning Objectives

To understand and demonstrate the tennis ready position
To catch or return a ball before it bounces twice
To play cooperatively in a competitive game situation

Key Outcomes

Students will consistently use the ready position when receiving a ball
Students will successfully catch or return balls with improved timing
Students will demonstrate good sportsmanship during competitive play

Equipment & Resources Required

Tennis Balls

1 per pair (15)

Place in basket at side of court for easy access

Alternative: Large foam balls, bean bags for special needs

Benches

5 (for 10 courts)

Position across width of hall, evenly spaced

Alternative: Cones, rope between posts, painted lines

Cones

Mark court boundaries and warm-up grid

Alternative: Chalk marks, tape on floor

Whistles

Teacher carries for game control

Alternative: Hand signals, verbal commands

Key Vocabulary

Ready Position

A balanced stance with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and hands up, ready to move in any direction

Second Bounce

When a tennis ball hits the ground for the second time, after which it cannot be returned legally

Return

Sending the ball back to your opponent's area before it bounces twice

Rally

Continuous back-and-forth exchange of the ball between players

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic ball handling skills from Year 2
Understanding of simple game rules
Experience working with partners

Current Skills

Tennis ready position technique
Ball tracking and timing
Basic competitive play concepts

Next Steps

Introducing racquet handling
Developing forehand and backhand techniques
More complex game scenarios

Milestone Indicators

Maintains ready position without prompting

Anticipates ball direction and moves accordingly

Shows tactical awareness in game situations

Key Teaching Points

Ready position consists of three key components: feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, hands up and ready
Ball tracking starts from the moment it leaves thrower's hands - watch it all the way
Movement from ready position should be quick but controlled, maintaining balance throughout
Two-bounce rule creates urgency and excitement while developing timing skills
Cooperative approach in partner work leads to better learning than competitive pressure
Fair play and good sportsmanship are as important as technical skill development
Ready position transfers to all racquet sports and many other physical activities

Common Misconceptions

Students think ready position means standing straight and still - correct by emphasising bent knees and dynamic alertness
Belief that catching requires waiting for ball to come to them - teach active movement to intercept ball's path
Assumption that throwing harder makes the game more challenging - emphasise that fair throwing helps partner improve
Thinking that perfect catches are required every time - celebrate good attempts and near misses to build confidence
Ready position is only for tennis - explain transfer to other sports like badminton, table tennis, and cricket

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity bursts with movement breaks, clear visual boundaries, immediate positive feedback, reduced waiting time in queues

dyspraxia

Larger, softer balls for easier handling, simplified ready position cues, extra practice time for motor skills, peer buddy support

autism spectrum

Clear visual routine displayed, consistent partner pairings, quiet breakout space available, advance warning of activity changes

visual impairment

Use bright coloured balls with bells inside, provide verbal descriptions of court layout, use buddy system for positioning guidance

hearing impairment

Use visual signals instead of whistle, demonstrate all instructions clearly, provide written key points on board

physical disability

Seated ready position for wheelchair users, larger balls for easier catching, reduced court size, consider balloon instead of tennis ball

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Following multi-step instructions, using descriptive vocabulary for movement, explaining techniques to others

Maths

Counting points and bounces, understanding angles and trajectories, measuring court distances and estimating ball placement

Science

Forces and motion in ball bouncing, gravity effects on ball trajectory, reaction time and nervous system responses

PSHE

Cooperation and communication with partners, resilience when missing catches, respect and fair play in competitive situations

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Stand at corner of activity area for optimal sight lines to all students, move closer for individual feedback during skill practice

Observation Focus

Watch for correct ready position technique, safe ball handling, fair play during games, and positive interaction between partners

Intervention Points

Step in if students are struggling with ready position components, if ball throwing becomes too aggressive, or if game disputes arise

Demonstration Notes

Always demonstrate ready position with exaggerated movements for clarity, show both correct and incorrect techniques for comparison, use students as positive examples when appropriate

Verbal Cues

•'Knees bent, hands ready!'
•'Watch the ball, move to the ball!'
•'Gentle throwing, help your partner succeed!'
•'Ready position first, then move!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 20m hall space with 2m clear boundaries around activity areas

Surface Check

Dry, non-slip surface free from water, dust or debris that could cause falls

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check tennis balls are not split or damaged
•Ensure benches are stable and appropriate height (maximum 40cm)
•Verify cones have no sharp edges or cracks
•Confirm adequate number of balls to avoid sharing conflicts

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between students during movement activities
•Slips and falls on polished hall floors
•Ball strikes to face or body during catching practice
•Trips over benches or equipment

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established with cones and verbal instructions
•Adequate spacing maintained between pairs during all activities
•Progressive skill building from static to dynamic activities
•Emphasis on controlled throwing rather than hard hitting
•Regular checks of ready position to ensure balance and stability

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position at corner of hall for maximum visibility of all activities
•Circulate during partner work to monitor technique and safety
•Pay particular attention to ball throwing force and accuracy
•Monitor spacing between pairs during games

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately on whistle signal, assess any injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact office if medical attention required