Lesson 5 - Doubles Tactics and Positioning
Tactical Partnerships
•Year 5
•Tennis
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How can we work together as a doubles partnership to win points and control the court?
Learning Objectives
- To understand and apply effective positioning strategies in doubles tennis
- To develop tactical awareness of space creation and exploitation in doubles play
- To demonstrate collaborative decision-making with a partner during game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will position themselves strategically on court with their partner
- Students will identify and target space to win points in doubles
- Students will demonstrate effective communication and collaboration with their partner
Equipment & Resources Required
Check racket grip size is appropriate for student hand size
Alternative: Paddle bats, tennis paddles for younger students
Have spare balls around court perimeters for quick collection
Alternative: Foam balls for beginners, larger tennis balls for easier tracking
Mark service boxes, baselines, and net lines clearly
Alternative: Rope, chalk lines, or existing court markings
Net height should be appropriate for Year 5 students
Alternative: Rope between posts, badminton nets, or cone lines
Key Vocabulary
A tennis match played with two players on each side of the court
The area where the serve must land, diagonally opposite to the server
Hitting the ball before it bounces on your side of the court
How partners position themselves to defend the entire court area
Deliberately hitting the ball to specific areas to win points
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic tennis strokes (forehand, backhand, serve)
- Understanding of singles court positioning
- Basic rules of tennis scoring and serving
Current Skills
- Doubles court positioning and movement
- Tactical shot placement in pairs
- Communication and collaboration in partnerships
Next Steps
- Advanced doubles strategies and formations
- Match play with complex tactical decisions
- Leadership roles in organising tournaments
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Doubles tennis requires constant communication and cooperation between partners
- Court positioning is tactical - choose formations based on your strengths and opponent weaknesses
- Creating space through shot placement is more effective than power in doubles
- Both partners must be ready to move and react to support each other
- Tactical awareness develops through practice and reflection on what works
- Serving in doubles sets up tactical opportunities for the partnership
- Successful doubles teams adapt their tactics based on game situations
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking doubles is just two individual games happening together - emphasise partnership cooperation
- Believing power is more important than placement - focus on tactical shot selection
- Assuming one formation works for all situations - teach adaptability between formations
- Not understanding the importance of communication - model and practice constant partner communication
- Thinking only the person hitting the ball needs to move - teach both partners to react to every shot
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear movement boundaries, regular position changes, immediate feedback
dyspraxia
- Simplified tactical choices, extra time for positioning practice, partner support for coordination
autism spectrum
- Clear routines for doubles positioning, visual schedule of activities, quiet reflection zones available
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls, verbal descriptions of court positions, tactile court markers, buddy system for positioning
hearing impairment
- Visual signals for instructions, written tactical cards, clear visual demonstrations of positioning
physical disability
- Seated tennis adaptations, modified rackets, shorter courts, adapted serving rules
Cross-Curricular Links
Science
Forces in ball trajectory, physics of racket contact, body mechanics in tennis
Geography
Court orientation, spatial awareness, directional movement patterns
PSHE
Partnership cooperation, conflict resolution, respect for opponents, managing competition emotions
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand at corner of courts for maximum visibility of all pairs, rotate between courts during activities
Observation Focus
Watch for tactical understanding, partner communication, and safe play practices
Intervention Points
Step in when tactics are not being applied, partnerships are struggling, or safety concerns arise
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for tactical concepts, involve students in demonstrations, highlight successful examples from the class
Verbal Cues
- •'Talk to your partner!'
- •'Where's the space?'
- •'Work together!'
- •'Think tactics!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 4 courts of 8m x 4m each with 2m safety margin between courts
Surface Check
Even, non-slip surface free from water, debris, or obstacles
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check racket grips are secure and appropriate size
- •Ensure tennis balls are in good condition
- •Verify net heights are safe and properly secured
- •Check cones and markers are visible and stable
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Racket contact between players
- •Ball strikes to head or body
- •Collisions during court movement
- •Slips and falls during quick direction changes
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear court boundaries with adequate spacing
- •Teach proper racket control and awareness
- •Emphasise communication between partners
- •Progressive skill building from stationary to dynamic play
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all courts simultaneously
- •Monitor net areas for potential collision risks
- •Watch for fatigue during extended rallies
Emergency Procedures
Stop play immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, seek additional help if needed