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Lesson 6 - Continuous Rally Development

Foundational Skills & Play

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Year 4

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Tennis

•

45 min

Big Question

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

Tennis Rackets

As available

Check grip size is appropriate for student hand size

Alternative: Shorter rackets for smaller students, table tennis bats for adaptation

Tennis Balls

1.5 per pair (45 total)

Have extras available for lost balls

Alternative: Foam balls, sponge balls for easier control

Cones

90 for court boundaries and targets

Use different colours for different court areas

Alternative: Markers, chalk lines, existing court markings

Hoops

15 for ball storage and targets

Place at accessible positions around courts

Alternative: Buckets, boxes, marked areas on ground

Key Vocabulary

Rally

A sequence of shots hit between players before a point is won

Ready position

Balanced stance with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, racket up

Forehand

Shot played on the dominant side of the body

Backhand

Shot played on the non-dominant side of the body

Recovery

Returning to the centre of your court area after playing a shot

Baseline

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

Consistent rallies of 6+ shots

Accurate shot placement to partner

Quick recovery to ready position

Effective communication with partner

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