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Lesson 3 - Tactical Play and Winning Points

Tactical Skills Development

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Year 3

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Tennis

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45 min

Big Question

How can we use smart tactics to win points and beat our opponents in tennis?

Learning Objectives

Apply prior learning of different ways to win points in competitive mini games
Demonstrate understanding of court positioning and ready position
Create and execute tactical plays to challenge opponents

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully apply tactical knowledge in 1v1 ladder tournaments
Students will demonstrate improved court positioning and recovery
Students will show understanding of creating space to win points

Equipment & Resources Required

Tennis Balls

15-20

Store in bucket at side of area for easy access

Alternative: Large foam balls, playground balls

Cones

30-40

Use to mark court boundaries and nets

Alternative: Bean bags, markers

Sun Markers

6 sets

Create 6 mini courts in ladder formation

Alternative: Chalk lines, rope

Scorecards

One per pair for keeping track of points

Alternative: Clipboards with paper

Key Vocabulary

Tactical placement

Deliberately throwing the ball to a specific area to gain an advantage

Recovery position

Returning to the centre of your court after playing a shot

Ready position

Balanced stance with knees bent, ready to move in any direction

Creating space

Making your opponent move to open up areas of their court

Ladder tournament

A competition format where winners move up and losers move down courts

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic underarm throwing technique
Understanding of court boundaries
Knowledge of when points are won/lost

Current Skills

Tactical shot placement
Court positioning and recovery
Game application under pressure

Next Steps

Introduction to racket use
More complex tactical patterns
Doubles play concepts

Milestone Indicators

Consistent placement into spaces

Quick recovery to ready position

Evidence of tactical thinking

Key Teaching Points

Always look at opponent position before throwing to identify space
Recovery to centre baseline position is essential after every throw
Tactical thinking is more important than throwing power
Sportsmanship and fair play are fundamental to competitive tennis
Creating space through opponent movement opens up winning opportunities
Ready position with bent knees and balanced stance enables quick movement
Tournament pressure is an opportunity to show learning under challenge

Common Misconceptions

Throwing harder will always win points - correct with emphasis on tactical placement
Staying in throwing position is advantageous - teach immediate recovery movement
Random throwing is acceptable - develop systematic tactical thinking
Winning is only about lucky shots - emphasise skill and strategy development
Court position doesn't matter - demonstrate importance of centre baseline positioning

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter game segments, clear boundaries, regular positive feedback and movement breaks

dyspraxia

Larger target areas, simplified tactical concepts, extra practice time for skill development

autism spectrum

Clear tournament structure explained in advance, quiet area available, consistent routines

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls and clear verbal descriptions of court positions, buddy system for guidance

hearing impairment

Visual demonstrations of all tactics, written rule cards, clear hand signals for game management

physical disability

Seated throwing version, modified court sizes, adapted equipment and distances as needed

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Scorekeeping, counting points, understanding tiebreak scoring to 7, spatial reasoning with court positioning

Science

Forces in throwing, trajectory and angles, cause and effect in tactical decisions

Geography

Spatial awareness, directions and positioning, mapping court spaces

PSHE

Sportsmanship, resilience, managing competitive emotions, fair play and honesty

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Rotate between courts during tournament, central position during instruction

Observation Focus

Watch for tactical decision-making, recovery positioning, and sportsmanship

Intervention Points

Step in if rules disputes arise or safety concerns develop

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated movements for tactical concepts, emphasise positive examples from student play

Verbal Cues

•'Look where they are!'
•'Throw away from them!'
•'Sprint back to centre!'
•'Great tactical thinking!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 20m area for 6 mini courts with safe movement space

Surface Check

Dry, level surface free from hazards, suitable for dynamic movement

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check balls are not overinflated or damaged
•Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
•Verify court markers are securely placed

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between students during competitive play
•Slips and falls during rapid direction changes
•Ball strikes from throws
•Overexertion during tournament play

Risk Mitigation

•Clear court boundaries with adequate spacing
•Controlled throwing technique emphasised
•Progressive skill building before competition
•Regular monitoring of intensity levels

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all courts
•Monitor competitive intensity and sportsmanship
•Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required