Lesson 5 - Underarm Serve and Serving Rules
Technique to Competition
•Year 5
•Tennis
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How can I use the underarm serve to start a point fairly and accurately?
Learning Objectives
- To develop the underarm serve technique and understand the rules of serving
- To demonstrate cooperative play with a partner whilst applying tennis rules
- To understand and apply serving rules in game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will perform an underarm serve with improved accuracy and technique
- Students will work cooperatively with partners whilst maintaining fair play
- Students will understand and apply the basic rules of serving in tennis
Equipment & Resources Required
Used to mark service lines and court boundaries
Alternative: Cones, hoops, or markers
For court marking and net representation
Alternative: Base stations, rope, or chalk lines
Ensure balls are evenly distributed for activities
Alternative: Soft tennis balls, foam balls for beginners
Check racket size is appropriate for students' height
Alternative: Short tennis rackets, paddle bats for younger students
Use in open areas to prevent balls travelling too far
Alternative: Tennis balls in enclosed areas
Key Vocabulary
A serving technique where the racket is swung below waist level to hit the ball
The line that marks the back boundary of the service area
When the ball hits the net but still lands in the correct service area, requiring the serve to be replayed
The back boundary line of the tennis court
The rectangular area where the served ball must land to be considered 'in'
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball handling and throwing techniques
- Understanding of simple court boundaries
- Basic racket grip and control
Current Skills
- Underarm serving technique development
- Understanding serving rules and boundaries
- Cooperative play with partners
Next Steps
- Overarm serving technique
- More complex game scenarios
- Returning serves with accuracy
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Ball toss to head height with straight arm for consistency
- Underarm swing motion from low to high for proper ball trajectory
- Use centre of racket face for clean contact and accuracy
- Don't hit ball after it bounces - timing is crucial
- Control power for accuracy rather than maximum speed
- Apply serving rules fairly and honestly in game situations
- Work cooperatively with partners for effective learning
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking power is more important than accuracy in serving
- Believing the ball should bounce before hitting it (like in other sports)
- Assuming overarm serving is better than underarm for beginners
- Not understanding that 'let' serves get replayed rather than counted as faults
- Thinking you can serve from anywhere behind the baseline
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Short activity bursts with clear focus points, immediate feedback, movement between different skills
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment, simplified technique focus (one element at a time), extra practice time
autism spectrum
- Clear visual court boundaries, structured routine for serving practice, quiet zone if overwhelmed
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls, verbal descriptions of court layout, buddy system for positioning
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of technique, hand signals for 'in/out' calls, written rule cards
physical disability
- Adapted serving distance, seated serving option, larger racket head if needed
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Measuring distances for court setup, counting successful serves, angles of ball trajectory
Science
Forces and motion in ball flight, trajectory and gravity effects, simple machines (lever action of racket)
Geography
Spatial awareness and court positioning, directions and boundaries
PSHE
Fair play and honesty, cooperation and communication, resilience when learning new skills
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand at side of courts for visibility of all pairs, move between pairs during skill development
Observation Focus
Watch for correct ball toss height, underarm swing technique, and fair rule application
Intervention Points
Step in if students struggling with ball toss consistency or rule understanding
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate: Exaggerate the straight arm toss and underarm swing for visibility, show common mistakes and corrections
Verbal Cues
- •'Head height only!'
- •'Straight arm for the toss!'
- •'Watch the ball onto your racket!'
- •'Underarm swing - low to high!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 8m court area per 4 students, clear of obstacles
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from hazards, no loose tennis balls creating slip risk
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check tennis rackets for damage or loose strings
- •Ensure tennis balls are in good condition and not split
- •Verify base stations and cones are stable and visible
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Balls travelling outside play area
- •Collision between pairs during serving
- •Racket contact with other students
- •Tripping over court markers
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and maintained
- •Adequate spacing between pairs (minimum 3m)
- •Controlled serving direction away from other students
- •Regular equipment checks and ball collection
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all serving pairs
- •Monitor high-activity areas during transitions
- •Circulate during game application for rule support
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately on safety concern, assess situation, apply appropriate first aid if needed, and contact school office if required