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Lesson 8 - Collaborative Tennis Competition

Technique to Competition

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Year 5

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Tennis

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45 min

Big Question

How can working together as a team help us compete more effectively in tennis?

Learning Objectives

To work collaboratively with a partner to compete against others
To apply tactical awareness in competitive tennis situations
To demonstrate fair play and cooperative behaviour during competition

Key Outcomes

Students will compete effectively as a doubles team using basic tactics
Students will maintain continuous rallies with their partner
Students will demonstrate understanding of tennis rules and fair play

Equipment & Resources Required

Tennis Rackets

15 (1 per court)

Check racket strings are intact and grips are secure before lesson

Alternative: Large plastic bats, padder tennis bats

Tennis Balls

15 (1 per court/2 students)

Use balls with good bounce, replace any that are too flat

Alternative: Foam balls for beginners, lower bounce balls

Cones

60 (4 per court for boundaries)

Set up court boundaries before students arrive

Alternative: Markers, bases, rope for court lines

Base Stations

30 (2 per court for serving marks)

Mark serving positions clearly on each court

Alternative: Additional cones, chalk marks, rope

Key Vocabulary

Doubles

A game played with two players on each side of the court working as a team

Tactics

Strategic plans or methods used to win points during play

Rally

A sequence of shots hit back and forth between opponents before a point is won

Double fault

When a player fails to get both of their serving attempts into the correct service area

Baseline

The back line of the tennis court from where most shots are played

Fair play

Playing honestly and with respect for rules, opponents, and partners

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic tennis shots (forehand, backhand)
Underarm serving technique
Understanding of court boundaries
Basic rally skills with a partner

Current Skills

Collaborative doubles play
Tactical awareness in competition
Consistent rally maintenance
Fair play and rule application

Next Steps

Advanced doubles tactics and positioning
Overarm serving technique
Tournament organisation and management
Advanced shot placement and strategy

Milestone Indicators

Can maintain rallies of 4+ shots consistently

Demonstrates clear tactical thinking during play

Shows leadership in fair play and rule enforcement

Can adapt play style based on different opponents

Key Teaching Points

Emphasise partnership cooperation throughout all activities
Focus on tactical placement over power in shot selection
Maintain fair play and honest scoring as core values
Encourage continuous rallies rather than quick points
Develop tennis-specific movement patterns through warm-up
Connect rule knowledge to practical game application
Build competitive spirit while maintaining sportsmanship

Common Misconceptions

Students thinking they compete against their own partner rather than working together - clarify doubles format clearly
Belief that hitting harder always wins points - emphasise placement and tactics over power
Assumption that winning is more important than fair play - reinforce sportsmanship values
Thinking tennis tactics are too advanced for Year 5 - demonstrate that simple tactics are very effective
Misconception that serving must be overarm - emphasise underarm serving for accuracy and control

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Break competition into shorter segments, provide regular movement breaks, use clear visual and verbal cues for transitions

dyspraxia

Use larger equipment and balls, reduce court size, provide extra practice time for coordination, offer simplified tactical concepts

autism spectrum

Provide clear visual schedule of lesson structure, offer quiet zones for breaks, use consistent language and routines

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of court layout and tactics, assign sighted partner for guidance

hearing impairment

Use visual demonstrations and hand signals, provide written rule cards, ensure good eye contact during instructions

physical disability

Adapt to seated tennis position, use larger rackets and slower balls, modify court size and serving distance as needed

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Using tennis vocabulary accurately, giving clear tactical instructions to partners, explaining rules and strategies to others

Maths

Keeping score and calculating points difference, measuring court dimensions and angles for tactical shots, timing game periods and calculating tournament results

Science

Understanding forces in tennis shots and ball trajectory, exploring friction between racket and ball, investigating how ball bounce is affected by surface and temperature

PSHE

Developing teamwork and cooperation skills, learning about fair play and honesty, building resilience through competitive challenge, managing emotions in competition

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Circulate between courts during competition to observe all pairs, position centrally for demonstrations and whole-group instruction

Observation Focus

Watch for tactical decision-making, partnership cooperation, fair play demonstration, and skill development progression

Intervention Points

Step in if competition becomes too intense, if students are struggling with rules, or if safety concerns arise

Demonstration Notes

Use clear, exaggerated movements for all tennis demonstrations, involve students in rule demonstrations, emphasise partnership cooperation through modelling

Verbal Cues

•'Look for the empty space on their court!'
•'Great teamwork - you're communicating well!'
•'Remember to agree the score after each point!'
•'Excellent tactical thinking!'
•'Show me your best underarm serve!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 15 courts of 6m x 12m each, clear of obstacles with 2m spacing between courts

Surface Check

Even surface free from hazards, dry conditions for safe movement and ball bounce

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check tennis rackets for loose strings and secure grips before use
•Ensure tennis balls have adequate bounce and no cracks
•Verify cones are stable and have no sharp edges
•If using nets, check they are secure and at correct height

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Racket collisions between students
•Slips and falls during rapid directional changes
•Ball strikes to head or body
•Overexertion during competitive play

Risk Mitigation

•Establish clear court boundaries and enforce adequate spacing
•Teach safe racket handling and awareness of others
•Progressive skill building before full competition
•Regular hydration breaks during intense competitive play
•Emphasise controlled movements over speed

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all courts simultaneously
•Monitor competition intensity to prevent overexertion
•Watch for signs of frustration or unsafe play
•Ensure fair play and rule adherence

Emergency Procedures

Stop play immediately for any injury, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or call for medical support, ensure other students continue safely