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Lesson 2 - Forehand Groundstroke Development

Technique to Competition

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Year 5

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Tennis

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45 min

Big Question

How can I use proper technique to consistently return the ball with control and accuracy?

Learning Objectives

To develop returning the ball using a forehand groundstroke with improved technique
To understand the importance of footwork and positioning in tennis
To apply forehand skills in competitive rally situations

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate improved forehand technique with sideways stance and proper swing path
Students will show better court positioning and footwork when moving to the ball
Students will successfully maintain rallies using forehand groundstrokes

Equipment & Resources Required

Tennis Rackets

4-6 depending on space

Check grip sizes are appropriate for student hand sizes

Alternative: Paddle bats, badminton rackets for smaller hands

Tennis Balls

1 per student (30)

Use appropriate pressure balls - consider low-compression balls for this age group

Alternative: Foam balls, softer tennis balls for beginners

Cones

Use to mark court boundaries, target areas, and queue positions

Alternative: Markers, chalk lines if on tarmac

Key Vocabulary

Forehand groundstroke

A tennis shot hit after the ball bounces, using the dominant hand side of the body

Ready position

The starting stance with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, racket held in front

Sideways stance

Body position turned perpendicular to the net with non-dominant shoulder facing the net

Rally

Continuous exchange of shots between players without stopping

Baseline

The back boundary line of the tennis court

Court positioning

Where you stand on the court to best return the ball

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic racket handling and ball control skills
Understanding of ready position in tennis
Experience with simple hand-eye coordination activities
Basic knowledge of tennis court areas

Current Skills

Forehand groundstroke technique development
Improved footwork and court positioning
Rally skills and ball placement
Competitive game application

Next Steps

Backhand groundstroke introduction
Advanced rally tactics and shot selection
Serving technique development
Match play with scoring systems

Milestone Indicators

Consistent sideways stance adoption

Smooth swing path from low to high

Effective weight transfer during shot

Successful rally maintenance of 4+ shots

Key Teaching Points

Ready position is the foundation - balanced, alert, and prepared to move in any direction
Sideways stance allows proper body rotation and power generation in forehand groundstroke
Low-to-high swing path creates topspin and control, preventing balls from flying out of court
Footwork and positioning are as important as arm technique for successful shot execution
Cooperative rallying develops consistency better than competitive power hitting
Peer coaching and team support enhance learning and create positive learning environment
Technique should be maintained even under competitive pressure during games

Common Misconceptions

Students think power is more important than technique - emphasise control and placement throughout
Many students rush the swing instead of developing smooth rhythm - encourage patience and timing
Some students forget to turn sideways and try to hit facing forward - constant reinforcement needed
Students often start swing too high rather than from low position - demonstrate exaggerated low start
Common belief that harder hits win rallies - show how controlled shots lead to longer, more successful rallies
Some students think tennis is individual sport - emphasise cooperation and team elements throughout lesson

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Include frequent activity changes, provide clear boundaries and expectations, use energetic but controlled activities, offer leadership roles to maintain engagement

dyspraxia

Break down skills into smaller steps, provide additional practice time for coordination, use larger equipment for easier control, offer verbal prompts for movement sequences

autism spectrum

Provide clear, structured routines for each activity, use visual schedules showing lesson progression, offer quiet zones for sensory breaks, maintain consistent language and instructions

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls and rackets, provide verbal descriptions of all movements, use larger balls for easier tracking, ensure clear verbal instructions for positioning

hearing impairment

Use visual demonstrations extensively, provide written instruction cards, use hand signals for key teaching points, ensure student can see teacher's face for lip reading

physical disability

Adapt to seated tennis where appropriate, use larger rackets or different grip adaptations, modify court size and distances, provide alternative scoring methods

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Counting consecutive hits in rallies, measuring court distances, calculating angles for shot placement, scoring and statistics in team games

Science

Understanding forces in racket swing, ball trajectory and spin effects, reaction time and coordination, energy transfer from body to ball

Geography

Court orientation and spatial awareness, understanding directions and positioning, mapping movement patterns around court

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation in partner activities, resilience when learning difficult skills, leadership roles in team games, respect for others' abilities

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move between courts and pairs to observe technique development, position centrally during demonstrations for maximum visibility

Observation Focus

Watch for correct sideways stance, proper swing path from low to high, effective weight transfer, and safe spacing between students

Intervention Points

Step in immediately for unsafe racket handling, provide individual technique support during partner practice, manage competitive intensity during team games

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated, slow-motion movements for technique demonstration, involve confident students in demonstrations, repeat key movements multiple times for clarity

Verbal Cues

•'Ready position first!'
•'Turn sideways to the ball!'
•'Start low, finish high!'
•'Watch the ball all the way to your racket!'
•'Move your feet to get in position!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 20m x 30m clear area with additional space around perimeter for safe movement

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from hazards, suitable for running and quick directional changes

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all rackets for damage, secure grips, and appropriate sizes
•Ensure tennis balls are in good condition and appropriate pressure
•Verify cones are stable and visible, with no sharp edges

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Racket collisions between students during activities
•Slips and falls during quick movements and directional changes
•Ball strikes from errant shots or poor control
•Overcrowding in court areas during team games

Risk Mitigation

•Maintain adequate spacing between students during all activities
•Establish clear boundaries and movement patterns
•Emphasise controlled shots over power throughout lesson
•Monitor equipment handling and storage carefully
•Ensure proper warm-up before intensive activities

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all court areas
•Monitor technique to prevent unsafe swing patterns
•Watch for fatigue levels affecting coordination
•Ensure equipment is used appropriately throughout

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately for any injury, assess severity, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required