Lesson 5 - Serving and Court Positioning
Tactical Skill Progression
•Year 4
•Tennis
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How can we serve accurately and move into the best position to play different tennis shots?
Learning Objectives
- Develop serving technique from the baseline into opponent's court
- Improve court positioning for playing variety of shots
- Apply tennis rules and scoring in game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will be able to serve consistently from the baseline
- Students will move effectively to play forehand, backhand and volleys
- Students will demonstrate understanding of tennis rules and basic scoring
Equipment & Resources Required
Check racket size appropriate for each student
Alternative: Short tennis rackets, table tennis bats for smaller students
Use appropriate ball type for skill level
Alternative: Foam balls, low bounce balls for beginners
For marking courts, targets and skill stations
Alternative: Chalk, markers, spots
For warm-up activity identification
Alternative: Bands, different coloured tops
Key Vocabulary
The shot that starts each point, hit diagonally across the court from behind the baseline
The back line of the tennis court where serves are made from
Hitting the ball before it bounces on your side of the court
Moving to the best place on court to play the next shot effectively
The area where serves must land diagonally across the court
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball and racket control
- Understanding of net games concepts
- Experience with forehand and backhand strokes
Current Skills
- Serving technique from baseline
- Court positioning and movement
- Application of tennis rules in game play
Next Steps
- Advanced serving techniques and placement
- Tactical play and shot selection
- Competitive match play with official scoring
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise sideways stance and consistent ball toss for effective serving technique
- Develop court awareness through positioning exercises and movement to the ball
- Focus on accuracy over power in all tennis shots during skill development
- Apply tennis rules consistently with emphasis on fair play and sportsmanship
- Encourage self-reflection and recognition of improvement in self and others
- Build confidence through progressive skill challenges and supportive partner work
- Connect tennis skills to game situations through modified competitive play
Common Misconceptions
- Students think serving requires maximum power rather than accuracy and consistency
- Belief that tennis is only about hitting winners rather than keeping rallies alive
- Misconception that good tennis players never make mistakes or need practice
- Thinking that court positioning doesn't matter if you can hit the ball hard
- Assumption that tennis rules are too complicated for Year 4 students to understand
- Belief that self-reflection means being critical rather than recognising progress
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter rotation times at stations, clear visual boundaries, regular movement breaks, specific focus tasks
dyspraxia
- Larger balls for easier tracking, simplified technique breakdowns, extra practice time, step-by-step visual guides
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet practice space available, consistent partner pairings
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and rackets, audio cues for ball location, tactile court boundary markers, partner guidance system
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all techniques, clear visual signals for game starts/stops, written rule cards, peer buddy system
physical disability
- Adapted rackets with larger grips, seated tennis variations, modified court sizes, alternative serving techniques
Cross-Curricular Links
Science
Forces and motion in ball flight, impact of spin and power on ball direction, body mechanics in tennis strokes
Geography
Court orientation and positioning, spatial awareness for shot placement, mapping movement patterns
PSHE
Resilience when facing challenges, self-reflection and goal setting, celebrating others' success and sportsmanship
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location with clear sight lines to all activity areas, move between stations and courts regularly
Observation Focus
Watch for serving technique development, court positioning improvement, and application of tennis rules
Intervention Points
Step in when students struggle with serving technique, unsafe racket handling, or rule disputes during games
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate: Show serving motion slowly with emphasis on sideways stance, ball toss and weight transfer
Verbal Cues
- •'Sideways stance for serving!'
- •'Watch the ball onto your racket!'
- •'Move your feet to the ball!'
- •'Diagonal serves into the service box!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large hall or outdoor area minimum 30m x 40m for multiple courts and skill stations
Surface Check
Dry, non-slip surface free from debris and obstacles, check for cracks or holes
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check tennis rackets for loose strings or damaged frames
- •Ensure balls are in good condition without cracks
- •Verify nets are properly secured and appropriate height
- •Check cones are not cracked or have sharp edges
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to head or body during fast play
- •Racket collisions between students
- •Slips and falls on court surface
- •Over-exertion during competitive activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries between courts and adequate spacing
- •Demonstration of safe racket handling and control
- •Progressive skill building before competitive play
- •Regular hydration breaks and monitoring for fatigue
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility across all courts and stations
- •Monitor skill stations for correct technique and safety
- •Watch for over-competitive behaviour during games
- •Ensure proper warm-up and cool-down procedures
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury severity, apply appropriate first aid, contact school medical support if needed