Lesson 4 - Moving to Return the Serve
Technique to Doubles Tactics
•Year 4
•Tennis
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can we use movement and positioning to consistently return tennis serves and keep rallies going?
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate correct ready position with feet apart, racquet up, and balanced on toes
- Move effectively towards and return moving balls using appropriate footwork
- Return balls to different positions on the court with control and accuracy
Key Outcomes
- Students will maintain ready position in the centre of the court between shots
- Students will move quickly and efficiently to return serves from different positions
- Students will demonstrate improved rally consistency through better court positioning
Equipment & Resources Required
Check racquet size is appropriate - grip should fit comfortably in student's hand
Alternative: Foam racquets, short tennis racquets, or paddles for younger students
Use softer balls for safety and easier control
Alternative: Foam balls, low compression tennis balls, or bean bags for beginners
Set at appropriate height - lower for beginners, regulation for advanced
Alternative: Cones, rope, or chalk lines to mark nets
Use to mark central positions, court boundaries, and target areas
Alternative: Chalk marks, rope circles, or floor spots
Mark central ready positions for students to return to
Alternative: Cones, chalk marks, or tape
Key Vocabulary
Balanced stance with feet apart, knees slightly bent, racquet up, and weight on balls of feet
Moving efficiently around the court to reach and return balls from different positions
Continuous exchange of shots between players over the net
Hitting the ball back to your opponent after they have served or hit it to you
The player who throws or hits balls to their partner for practice
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic forehand and backhand grips from previous lessons
- Understanding of court boundaries and basic tennis rules
- Ability to hit stationary balls with some accuracy
Current Skills
- Ready position with balanced stance and racquet preparation
- Dynamic movement to intercept moving balls
- Court positioning and returning to central ready position
- Shot placement to different areas of the court
Next Steps
- Serving techniques and serve return strategies
- Advanced footwork patterns and court coverage
- Tactical play and point construction
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Ready position is the foundation - feet apart, racquet up, weight on toes
- Movement to ball should always be feet first, then racquet preparation
- Central positioning after each shot provides best court coverage
- Gentle, controlled shots maintain rallies better than powerful shots
- Partner cooperation and encouragement enhances learning for both players
- Court positioning is as important as ball-striking technique
- Consistent practice of positioning becomes automatic in game situations
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: Hitting the ball harder makes you a better tennis player. Correction: Control and placement are more important than power
- Misconception: You should stay where you hit the ball from. Correction: Always return to central position for best court coverage
- Misconception: Tennis is only about hitting the ball. Correction: Movement, positioning and tactics are equally important
- Misconception: You must use backhand for balls on your left side. Correction: Beginners can move around to use forehand
- Misconception: The freeze game was just for fun. Correction: It demonstrates why good positioning matters in real tennis
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with frequent changes, clear physical boundaries, immediate feedback and encouragement, movement breaks between sections
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment for easier handling, extra practice time for movement patterns, break down complex movements into smaller steps, patient repetition of instructions
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure for each activity, visual schedule of lesson sections, quiet zones available if needed, consistent language and expectations
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and racquets, provide clear verbal descriptions of court layout, use tactile markers for central positions, ensure consistent verbal cues for ball location
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for freeze commands, visual cues for game rules, ensure face-to-face communication during instructions
physical disability
- Seated tennis variations, shorter racquets or paddles, larger balls for easier contact, reduced court size, allow wheelchair access with appropriate spacing
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting rally hits, measuring court distances, understanding angles of ball movement and court geometry
Science
Forces involved in ball movement, impact and rebound physics, balance and centre of gravity during positioning
Geography
Spatial awareness, understanding of court directions and boundaries, mapping movement patterns around court space
PSHE
Partnership cooperation, encouraging others during challenges, resilience when rallies break down, fair play and sharing equipment
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around the outside of the playing area to observe all pairs, position near centre during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for central positioning compliance, safe racquet technique, positive partner interactions, and rally improvement
Intervention Points
Step in if students struggle with central positioning concept, if racquet swings become unsafe, or if partnership cooperation breaks down
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate ready position clearly with exaggerated stance, show movement patterns slowly before speed practice, emphasise smooth transitions over rushed movements
Verbal Cues
- •'Return to centre!'
- •'Watch the ball, move your feet!'
- •'Gentle swings for control!'
- •'Encourage your partner!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m with clear boundaries, or multiple smaller courts of 8m x 4m per pair
Surface Check
Flat, non-slip surface free from obstacles, appropriate for safe movement and racquet use
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check racquet grips are secure and appropriate size for students
- •Ensure balls are not too hard or bouncy for age group
- •Verify benches/nets are stable and appropriate height
- •Inspect cones have no sharp edges or cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Racquet contact with other students during swinging
- •Collisions during movement to balls
- •Tripping over equipment or court boundaries
- •Ball impacts to face or body
Risk Mitigation
- •Adequate spacing between pairs during all activities
- •Clear boundaries established and understood
- •Controlled swing technique emphasised throughout
- •Progressive skill building from catching to racquet use
- •Gentle throwing and hitting speeds enforced
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for clear view of all pairs during activities
- •Monitor racquet handling technique closely
- •Watch for safe movement patterns during ball chase
- •Ensure equipment collection is orderly and safe
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, ensure safe environment for continued activity