Lesson 1 - Tennis Skills & Tactics
Tactical Partnerships
•Year 5
•Tennis
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How can we use strategic shot placement and court positioning to consistently outwit our opponent in tennis?
Learning Objectives
- To consolidate and apply prior learning from Year 4 tennis skills
- To develop understanding of how to win points through strategic ball placement
- To demonstrate accurate forehand and backhand techniques in competitive situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will consistently return the ball over the net and into court boundaries
- Students will demonstrate strategic thinking by hitting into space to create scoring opportunities
- Students will show improved court positioning and recovery after each shot
Equipment & Resources Required
Check racket grip size is appropriate for each student's hand
Alternative: Shortened rackets for students who struggle with full-size, foam paddles for SEND students
Use mix of regular and low-compression balls based on ability
Alternative: Foam balls for beginners, low-compression balls for easier hitting
Mark court boundaries and create net height guidance at 3ft
Alternative: Markers, spots, or chalk lines
Courts should be approximately 6m x 12m for mini tennis
Alternative: Rope, chalk lines, or existing court markings
Key Vocabulary
A tennis stroke played with the palm of the hand facing the direction of the shot
A tennis stroke played with the back of the hand facing the direction of the shot
Balanced stance with knees bent, racket up, weight on balls of feet, ready to move in any direction
Where a player stands on court to best cover the next shot from their opponent
Deliberately hitting the ball to specific areas of the court to create tactical advantage
A sequence of shots between players before a point is won
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic forehand and backhand technique from Year 4
- Understanding of court boundaries and basic rules
- Ability to hit ball over net with some consistency
Current Skills
- Consolidating stroke technique under pressure
- Developing tactical awareness and shot placement
- Improving court positioning and movement
Next Steps
- Advanced shot selection and variation
- Consistent application of tactics in competitive situations
- Development of serving technique
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Early racket preparation is crucial for successful shot execution
- Court positioning and recovery to centre baseline after each shot
- Tactical awareness: hit the ball where the opponent is not positioned
- Importance of ready position for quick reactions and movement
- Shot placement and accuracy are more important than power
- Cooperative practice builds confidence before competitive application
- Sportsmanship and fair play are essential components of tennis
Common Misconceptions
- Students think hitting harder always wins points - emphasise placement over power
- Belief that tennis is only played with perfect technique - show that tactics can overcome technical limitations
- Assumption that staying in one spot is safe - teach importance of movement and positioning
- Thinking that winning is only about individual skill - highlight importance of reading opponent and adapting
- Misconception that tennis is not a team sport - emphasise cooperation in practice and sportsmanship in competition
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with clear transitions, regular movement breaks, clear visual boundaries, simplified instructions given one at a time
dyspraxia
- Larger, slower balls for easier tracking, simplified movement patterns, extra practice time for technique, clear step-by-step instructions
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedules of lesson structure, consistent routines for equipment setup, quiet zones available for breaks, simplified rule explanations
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and rackets, provide verbal descriptions of court layout, partner system for guidance, audio cues for ball location
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations and hand signals, written instruction cards, ensure student can see teacher's face for lip reading
physical disability
- Adapted rackets with larger grips, seated tennis options, modified court sizes, alternative scoring systems to accommodate different abilities
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Scoring systems, counting points, measuring court dimensions, angles of ball trajectory and shot placement
Science
Forces and motion in ball striking, friction between ball and court surface, trajectory and gravity effects on ball flight
Geography
Spatial awareness and court positioning, understanding of angles and directions, mapping movement patterns
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when facing challenges, respect for opponents, managing competitive emotions
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter of area during activities to observe all students, position centrally for demonstrations and instruction
Observation Focus
Watch for: technique development, tactical understanding, sportsmanship, safety awareness, engagement levels
Intervention Points
Step in when: safety issues arise, students struggling with technique, disagreements during scoring, off-task behaviour
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for technique demonstrations, involve students in demonstrating tactical concepts, show both correct and incorrect examples for contrast
Verbal Cues
- •'Racket back early!'
- •'Look where they're standing!'
- •'Ready position!'
- •'Hit into space!'
- •'Well played both of you!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m for 6-8 mini courts, clear of obstacles and with 2m boundary clearance
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from debris, adequate grip for quick directional changes
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check racket grips are secure and appropriate size for students
- •Ensure tennis balls are in good condition without cracks
- •Verify cone markers are stable and visible
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during movement
- •Racket contact with other students during swings
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Slips and falls during quick direction changes
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear court boundaries established with adequate spacing
- •Teaching proper swing technique with awareness of surroundings
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic activities
- •Emphasis on controlled movement rather than speed
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all courts during games
- •Monitor high-activity areas during competitive play
- •Ensure students understand and follow safety procedures
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess injury severity, provide appropriate first aid support, ensure other students are moved to safe area