Lesson 6 - Continuous Rally Development
Foundational Skills & Play
•Year 4
•Tennis
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How can we work together to keep a tennis ball in play for as long as possible?
Learning Objectives
- To work co-operatively with a partner to keep a continuous rally going
- To develop control and accuracy when hitting tennis balls
- To understand the importance of positioning and recovery in rally play
Key Outcomes
- Students will maintain rallies of 4-6 consecutive hits with a partner
- Students will demonstrate cooperative play by hitting balls accurately to their partner
- Students will show understanding of court positioning and recovery movements
Equipment & Resources Required
Check grip size is appropriate for student hand size
Alternative: Shorter rackets for smaller students, table tennis bats for adaptation
Have extras available for lost balls
Alternative: Foam balls, sponge balls for easier control
Use different colours for different court areas
Alternative: Markers, chalk lines, existing court markings
Place at accessible positions around courts
Alternative: Buckets, boxes, marked areas on ground
Key Vocabulary
A sequence of shots hit between players before a point is won
Balanced stance with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, racket up
Shot played on the dominant side of the body
Shot played on the non-dominant side of the body
Returning to the centre of your court area after playing a shot
The back line of the tennis court area
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic racket grip and ready position
- Simple ball control skills
- Understanding of court boundaries
Current Skills
- Continuous rally development
- Partner cooperation and communication
- Shot accuracy and placement
- Court positioning and recovery
Next Steps
- Introduction to basic tennis tactics
- Development of spin and power
- Competitive game situations
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- TAP-BOUNCE-HIT sequence for ball control and consistency
- Hit towards partner to enable successful returns and maintain rallies
- Active foot movement to ball position followed by recovery to ready position
- Cooperation and communication are essential for successful rallying
- Celebrate shared successes and support partner development
- Use forehand and backhand appropriately based on ball position
- Maintain ready position with feet shoulder-width apart and knees bent
Common Misconceptions
- That hitting harder makes rallies more successful - emphasise control and accuracy instead
- That individual skill is more important than cooperation - highlight partnership elements
- That winning means beating the other pair - focus on shared achievement and improvement
- That advanced shots are needed - reinforce that basic, accurate shots are most effective
- That speed is more important than technique - emphasise quality over rushed execution
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear visual boundaries, regular movement breaks, positive reinforcement systems
dyspraxia
- Larger, softer equipment, extended practice time, simplified movement patterns, additional demonstration
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of activities, consistent routines, quiet zones available, predictable partner pairings
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls, verbal descriptions of court layout, tactile court boundary markers, buddy system for navigation
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations emphasised, written instruction cards, hand signals for key techniques, visual countdown for activities
physical disability
- Adapted racket grips, seated rally variations, modified court sizes, alternative equipment like larger balls
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication with partners, descriptive language for techniques, listening to instructions
Maths
Counting consecutive rallies, addition of cones collected, time measurement during challenges
Science
Forces in ball contact, trajectory and angles, energy transfer from racket to ball
PSHE
Cooperation and teamwork, supporting others, managing competition appropriately
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position with ability to observe all court areas, move between pairs during practice phases
Observation Focus
Technical development in tap-bounce-hit, cooperative behaviours, safety awareness
Intervention Points
Step in if students struggling with technique, becoming overly competitive, or safety concerns arise
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for tap-bounce-hit sequence, model cooperative behaviours, show recovery movement distinctly
Verbal Cues
- •'TAP-BOUNCE-HIT!' to reinforce sequence
- •'Hit it TO your partner, not AWAY from them!'
- •'Feet to the ball, then recover!'
- •'Celebrate together!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m for multiple court areas, clear sight lines between courts
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from obstacles, appropriate for quick movement
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check rackets for damage and appropriate grip size
- •Ensure tennis balls are in good condition
- •Verify cones are stable and not presenting trip hazards
- •Hoops positioned away from active play areas
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students in adjacent courts
- •Racket contact between partners
- •Tripping over balls or equipment
- •Overexertion during competitive activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear court boundaries established with adequate spacing
- •Emphasis on controlled movements and gentle shots
- •Regular equipment checks and ball collection
- •Monitor competitive intensity to maintain cooperation
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all court areas
- •Monitor equipment handling and shot control
- •Watch for signs of frustration or overcompetition
- •Ensure safe movement during ball collection phases
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid support, clear equipment if needed