Lesson 3 - Split Step & Rally Skills
Advanced Skills & Tactics
•Year 6
•Tennis
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How does the split step help tennis players react quickly and maintain control in rallies?
Learning Objectives
- To demonstrate correct split step technique for quick directional movement
- To apply split step timing in rally situations
- To maintain continuous rallies using appropriate groundstrokes
Key Outcomes
- Students will execute split steps with correct timing and technique
- Students will demonstrate improved reaction time and court positioning
- Students will sustain rallies of 4+ shots using forehand and backhand strokes
Equipment & Resources Required
Check grip size appropriate for students, distribute around court perimeter
Alternative: Padder tennis bats, short tennis rackets
Use stage 2 or 3 balls for better control, store in baskets at court edges
Alternative: Low compression tennis balls, foam balls for beginners
Include 4 different colours per pair for 'X' activity, various sizes for court boundaries
Alternative: Flat markers, bean bags
Key Vocabulary
A small two-footed jump that prepares a player to move quickly in any direction
Continuous hitting of the ball back and forth between players
Balanced stance with knees bent, racket up, ready to move in any direction
A tennis shot hit after the ball bounces once on the court
Returning to an optimal court position after playing a shot
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic forehand and backhand grip
- Understanding of ready position
- Experience with underarm feeding
- Basic court awareness and positioning
Current Skills
- Split step technique and timing
- Quick directional movement from split step
- Rally maintenance with consistent returns
- Court positioning and recovery
Next Steps
- Advanced rally tactics and shot placement
- Serving technique introduction
- Net play and volley skills
- Match play strategies
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Split step timing is crucial - jump as opponent releases ball
- Land with two feet, knees bent, ready to push off in any direction
- Split step is small and controlled, not a big jump
- Always return to centre court position after each shot
- Quality of split step affects speed of reaction to ball
- Split step connects to all tennis movements - serving, returning, rallying
- Cooperation in practice leads to better improvement for both partners
Common Misconceptions
- Bigger split steps are better - actually small, controlled jumps are more effective
- Split step should happen when ball bounces - actually should occur as opponent hits
- Split step is only for professional tennis - it benefits players at all levels
- You don't need to split step if you're already moving - timing is still crucial
- Split step is just jumping - it's about preparation and reaction, not height
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Frequent activity changes, clear boundaries, positive reinforcement for focus
dyspraxia
- Extra practice time for split step technique, simplified instruction stages, larger target areas
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual timetable of activities, quiet space available if needed
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and cones, verbal descriptions of all demonstrations, buddy system for safety
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for timing, written instruction cards available
physical disability
- Adapted split step from seated position, larger equipment if needed, modified court sizes
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Measuring court distances, timing intervals, counting rallies and successful returns, calculating improvement percentages
Science
Understanding forces in jumping and landing, reaction times and nervous system responses, physics of ball bounce and racket contact
PSHE
Partnership skills, cooperation, resilience when techniques don't work immediately, celebrating others' success
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter to observe all pairs, position centrally for demonstrations
Observation Focus
Split step technique, timing with ball movement, safety during quick movements
Intervention Points
Step in when students not performing split step, unsafe movement, or poor cooperation
Demonstration Notes
Exaggerate split step movement for visibility, show timing clearly with ball release, demonstrate both successful and less effective techniques for comparison
Verbal Cues
- •'Split step first!'
- •'Two feet, then react!'
- •'Light and quick!'
- •'Back to centre!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m indoor/outdoor space, or access to tennis courts
Surface Check
Non-slip surface essential for jumping and quick directional changes, clear of any obstacles
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check rackets for damaged strings or loose grips
- •Ensure tennis balls are in good condition
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges or cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during quick directional movements
- •Slips and falls from split step jumping
- •Racket contact between students
- •Ball strikes to face or body
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and adequate spacing between pairs
- •Controlled racket swinging in designated areas only
- •Emphasis on looking before moving
- •Progressive skill building to develop control
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe multiple pairs simultaneously
- •Monitor high-energy activities like 'Catch Me If You Can'
- •Be especially vigilant during rally activities with rackets
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately on whistle, assess injury, apply first aid if trained, seek medical assistance if required