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Lesson 1 - Developing the Forehand

Racket Control Strategies

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Year 4

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Tennis

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45 min

Big Question

How can we win a game of tennis using consistent forehand shots?

Learning Objectives

Consolidate forehand technique from Year 3 with improved consistency
Develop understanding of court positioning and recovery
Apply forehand shots in simple game situations

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate a consistent forehand stroke technique
Students will understand court positioning and return to ready position
Students will apply forehand shots to win points in mini-games

Equipment & Resources Required

Tennis Rackets

1 per student (30)

Check grip size is appropriate for students' hands

Alternative: Table tennis bats for smaller hands

Tennis Balls

15 (1 per pair)

Use different coloured balls for easier tracking

Alternative: Foam balls for beginners, tennis balls with lower bounce

Cones

20 for court boundaries and targets

Set up mini courts with clear boundaries

Alternative: Markers, flat discs

Nets

4-6 for mini courts

Net height approximately 60cm for this age group

Alternative: Cones, chairs with rope/string

Key Vocabulary

Forehand

A tennis shot played with the palm of the hand facing the direction of the shot

Ready position

Balanced stance with knees bent, racket up, and weight on balls of feet

Recovery

Returning to the centre of the court after playing a shot

Court positioning

Where to stand on the court to be ready for the next shot

Rally

Continuous exchange of shots between players

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic racket grip from Year 3
Underarm throwing technique
Simple ball tracking skills
Understanding of bounce and hit concept

Current Skills

Consistent forehand technique
Court positioning and recovery
Ball control and placement
Ready position maintenance

Next Steps

Introduction to backhand shots
More complex game situations
Serving techniques
Tactical awareness development

Milestone Indicators

Can hit 3 consecutive forehand shots over the net

Demonstrates correct grip and stance

Returns to middle of court after each shot

Shows understanding of 'in' and 'out' boundaries

Key Teaching Points

Forehand is played on the same side as the dominant hand
Ready position is key - knees bent, weight forward, racket up
Let the ball bounce once before hitting
Point the racket head where you want the ball to go
Recovery to centre baseline after every shot
Control is more important than power
Work cooperatively with partner during practice

Common Misconceptions

Thinking forehand and backhand are the same thing - clarify which side of body
Believing you must hit hard to be good - emphasise control and consistency
Assuming you can hit the ball before it bounces - reinforce one bounce rule
Thinking you should stay where you hit the ball - teach recovery movement
Believing tennis is an individual sport only - emphasise partnership and cooperation

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Short activity bursts with clear boundaries, regular position changes, immediate positive feedback

dyspraxia

Larger balls and targets, simplified movement patterns, extra practice time for coordination

autism spectrum

Clear, predictable routines, visual schedule of lesson activities, quiet zone available if needed

visual impairment

Use bright yellow or orange balls, verbal descriptions of court layout, buddy system for guidance

hearing impairment

Clear visual demonstrations, written instruction cards, hand signals for start/stop

physical disability

Shorter, lighter rackets, lower net height, wheelchair accessible court areas, adapted throwing if needed

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Counting rally scores, measuring court distances, angles of racket face, calculating success rates

Science

Forces and motion in ball flight, friction between ball and court, lever action of racket

Geography

Court orientation, spatial awareness, direction and movement concepts

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when making mistakes, fair play and honesty

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move around perimeter of courts for best visibility, position centrally during demonstrations

Observation Focus

Watch for correct grip, stance, and ball contact during forehand practice

Intervention Points

Step in if students struggling with basic technique or if safety concerns arise

Demonstration Notes

Use clear, exaggerated movements for visibility, demonstrate at students' pace, include common mistakes in demonstrations

Verbal Cues

•'Shake hands with the racket!'
•'Let it bounce, then hit!'
•'Point the racket where you want the ball to go!'
•'Back to the middle - recovery!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 20m x 30m area, ideally larger for multiple mini courts

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from obstacles and slip hazards

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check tennis rackets for loose strings or damaged frames
•Ensure tennis balls are not split or damaged
•Cones and markers have no sharp edges
•Net/rope height appropriate and securely fastened

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between students during movement
•Being hit by ball or racket
•Slips and falls on court surface
•Overexertion in warm weather

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established between courts
•Adequate spacing between pairs during practice
•Progressive skill building from stationary to moving
•Controlled environment with gentle feeds
•Regular water breaks in warm weather

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all students
•Monitor high-activity areas during games
•Watch for proper technique to prevent injury
•Ensure appropriate competitive intensity

Emergency Procedures

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