Lesson 5 - Introducing the Forehand
Tactical Skills Development
•Year 3
•Tennis
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How can we win a game of tennis by mastering the forehand shot?
Learning Objectives
- To introduce and practice the forehand shot technique
- To understand when and where to play the forehand shot in mini games
- To develop ball control and racket grip for successful tennis play
Key Outcomes
- Students will be able to grip the racket correctly and adopt the ready position
- Students will be able to make contact with the ball after one bounce using forehand technique
- Students will be able to return the ball over the net to their opponent's side of the court
Equipment & Resources Required
Check racket size appropriate for Year 3 students
Alternative: Table tennis bats, foam paddles
Softer balls for safety and control
Alternative: Sponge balls, bean bags
Lower height nets for accessibility
Alternative: Rope between cones, benches
Mark mini court boundaries clearly
Alternative: Chalk lines, rope
To identify one partner in each pair
Alternative: None needed
Key Vocabulary
A tennis shot played with the racket held on the dominant side of the body
The starting stance with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, racket held ready
How you hold the racket handle for control and power
Hitting the ball back and forth with a partner without making errors
The playing area marked with boundaries for tennis
When the ball hits the ground once before being hit
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball control skills from previous units
- Floor tennis experience against opponents
- Understanding of court boundaries and net play
- Basic cooperative games and partner work
Current Skills
- Correct racket grip and ready position
- Forehand shot technique and ball contact
- Court positioning and movement
- Cooperative rallying skills
Next Steps
- Developing backhand shots
- Competitive mini tennis games
- Advanced court positioning
- Match play with scoring
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Correct grip is fundamental - like shaking hands with the racket
- Turn sideways to the ball - shoulder pointing to target
- Let the ball bounce once before hitting
- Point racket head in direction you want ball to go
- Follow through across body after ball contact
- Move feet to get in position for each shot
- Cooperative rallies focus on helping partner succeed
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking forehand can be played from any position - correct by emphasising sideways turn
- Believing power is more important than control - demonstrate gentle successful shots
- Assuming rallies are competitive - reinforce cooperative goals and shared success
- Gripping racket like a hammer - show handshake grip repeatedly
- Hitting ball before it bounces - emphasise one bounce rule consistently
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries and expectations, use movement as positive outlet
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment, reduce complexity of movement patterns, provide extra practice time and support
autism spectrum
- Provide clear routine structure, visual schedules for lesson phases, quiet practice space if needed
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and rackets, provide audio cues for ball direction, buddy system for court orientation
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written technique reminders displayed
physical disability
- Adapt racket grip with padding, allow seated play where appropriate, modify court size and net height
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting successful rallies, measuring court dimensions, angles of racket face for ball direction
Science
Forces in hitting balls, trajectory and gravity affecting ball flight, lever actions in forehand swing
Geography
Direction and orientation on court, spatial awareness and positioning
PSHE
Cooperation and teamwork, managing frustration when learning new skills, celebrating others' success
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand centrally to observe all mini courts, move between courts to provide individual feedback
Observation Focus
Watch for correct grip, sideways turn for forehand, ball tracking, and cooperative partner work
Intervention Points
Step in when students struggling with grip, not making ball contact, or showing poor cooperation
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for technique demonstrations. Show common mistakes and corrections. Emphasise positive examples from student practice.
Verbal Cues
- •'Turn your body sideways!'
- •'Watch the ball all the way!'
- •'Point your racket where you want the ball to go!'
- •'Help your partner succeed!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m hall space with clear boundary markers
Surface Check
Dry, non-slip surface free from obstacles and tripping hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check rackets have no sharp edges or loose strings
- •Ensure foam balls are in good condition
- •Verify net heights are appropriate for Year 3 students
- •Confirm cones are clearly visible and stable
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Racket contact with other students during swing practice
- •Trips and falls during movement activities
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Collisions during rally activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Establish clear personal space boundaries for swing practice
- •Use softer foam balls to reduce impact risk
- •Teach proper racket control and awareness of others
- •Set up adequate spacing between mini courts
- •Emphasise controlled movement rather than speed
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all mini courts simultaneously
- •Monitor swing technique to prevent dangerous movements
- •Watch for students moving outside their designated court areas
- •Check for equipment being used appropriately
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately on safety concern, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid if needed, remove any hazards before continuing