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Lesson 5 - Serving and Court Positioning

Tactical Skill Progression

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Year 4

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Tennis

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Big Question

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

Tennis Rackets

4-6 nets

Check racket size appropriate for each student

Alternative: Short tennis rackets, table tennis bats for smaller students

Tennis Balls

2 per pair (30 total)

Use appropriate ball type for skill level

Alternative: Foam balls, low bounce balls for beginners

Cones

For marking courts, targets and skill stations

Alternative: Chalk, markers, spots

Coloured Bibs

12.5 bibs

For warm-up activity identification

Alternative: Bands, different coloured tops

Key Vocabulary

Serve

The shot that starts each point, hit diagonally across the court from behind the baseline

Baseline

The back line of the tennis court where serves are made from

Volley

Hitting the ball before it bounces on your side of the court

Court positioning

Moving to the best place on court to play the next shot effectively

Service box

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

Consistent serve landing in opponent's court

Appropriate shot selection based on ball position

Independent application of rules during games

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