Technique to Doubles Tactics
•Year 4
•Tennis
•Check racquets are appropriate size for Year 4 students
Alternative: Table tennis bats, small racquets, or hands only
Balls should be soft enough for floor play and safe for indoor use
Alternative: Foam balls, low-pressure tennis balls, bean bags
Set up 'nets' approximately 60cm high in playing areas
Alternative: Benches, rope between posts, chalk lines
Use to mark court boundaries and playing areas
Alternative: Chalk, spots, hoops
A tennis shot hit with the back of the hand facing the direction of the shot
Balanced stance with knees bent, weight on balls of feet, ready to move in any direction
Continuous hitting of the ball back and forth between players
Dropping or throwing the ball to yourself to practice hitting
How you hold the tennis racquet
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Vocabulary development with tennis terminology, clear communication during activities, descriptive language for technique differences
Counting rally points, calculating double points for backhand shots, measuring court distances and angles of shots
Understanding forces in ball contact, exploring how grip changes affect ball direction, body mechanics in backhand vs forehand movements
Cooperation and communication during partner work, perseverance when learning difficult skills, setting realistic personal goals
Move around the hall to observe all pairs, position near struggling learners during skill development
Watch for correct backhand grip, appropriate body positioning, and cooperative rally behaviour
Step in when students revert to forehand grip, provide individual guidance for grip changes, support pairs struggling with rally cooperation
Demonstrate: Use exaggerated movements for grip changes, show clear difference between forehand and backhand body positions, model cooperative rally behaviour with volunteer
Minimum 15m x 10m hall space, or outdoor hard court area with adequate boundaries
Non-slip surface free from water or debris, suitable for running and quick direction changes
Stop activity immediately for any injury, assess severity, apply appropriate first aid, notify school procedures as required
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