Lesson 6 - Underarm Serve & Scoring
Advanced Skills & Tactics
•Year 6
•Tennis
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How can mastering the underarm serve and official scoring system help you become a more strategic and skilled tennis player?
Learning Objectives
- To develop accuracy and consistency in the underarm serve technique
- To learn and apply the official tennis scoring system during gameplay
- To demonstrate cooperative play and sportsmanship when competing with partners
Key Outcomes
- Students will execute underarm serves with improved accuracy and placement
- Students will confidently use official tennis scoring terminology (15, 30, 40, game, deuce, advantage)
- Students will apply serving rules consistently and play cooperatively in competitive situations
Equipment & Resources Required
Used to mark service areas and court boundaries
Alternative: Cones, rubber markers, or chalk marks
Create net lines and court boundaries if permanent courts unavailable
Alternative: Rope, chalk lines, or existing court markings
Ensure balls are appropriate pressure for Year 6 students
Alternative: Soft tennis balls, foam balls for safety
Check racket condition and appropriate size for students
Alternative: Shorter junior rackets, table tennis bats for adapted version
Key Vocabulary
A serving technique where the ball is hit from below shoulder height with an upward motion
The designated court area where the serve must land to be considered 'in'
When both players have 40 points (3 points each), requiring a 2-point advantage to win
The point after deuce when one player is one point ahead
When a serve touches the net but lands in the correct service area, requiring a replay
The back boundary line of the tennis court from where serves are typically made
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Can hold a tennis racket correctly with appropriate grip
- Understands basic court boundaries and net play concepts
- Has experience with cooperative partner activities
Current Skills
- Underarm serving technique with ball control
- Official tennis scoring system application
- Strategic placement and accuracy in serving
Next Steps
- Overarm serving technique development
- Set and match play with multiple games
- Advanced tactical serving strategies
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Ball release at head height with straight arm is crucial for serving consistency
- Tennis scoring system (15, 30, 40, game) must be practiced repeatedly for retention
- Sideways serving stance provides better accuracy and power than facing the net
- Fair play and honest calling are more important than winning points
- Progressive distance challenges build confidence while maintaining accuracy
- Deuce and advantage situations require clear explanation and practice
- Partner cooperation and positive communication enhance learning for both students
Common Misconceptions
- Students often think tennis scoring uses regular numbers (1,2,3) - emphasise 15,30,40 progression
- Many believe power is more important than accuracy in serving - focus on placement first
- Students may think the game ends immediately after reaching 40 points - explain deuce situations
- Some students assume all serves must be hit hard - teach control and consistency as priorities
- Children often face the net when serving rather than standing sideways - demonstrate proper stance
- Students may not understand the two-serve rule - clearly explain and practice the sequence
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, use clear visual boundaries, provide frequent positive feedback, allow movement breaks
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment, simplify serving technique initially, provide extra practice time, give clear step-by-step instructions
autism spectrum
- Provide clear routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet space available if needed, consistent partner pairings
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and audible cues for ball contact, describe court layout verbally, use tactile markers for boundaries
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations and hand signals for scoring, provide written rule cards, use visual start/stop signals
physical disability
- Adapt serving position (seated or closer to net), use lighter rackets or larger balls, modify court size as needed
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Technical vocabulary development, clear communication of rules and scores
Maths
Scoring systems, counting points, measuring court distances and angles
Science
Forces and motion in ball flight, trajectory and gravity effects on serves
PSHE
Fair play, honest decision-making, managing emotions in competitive situations
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Position at corner of teaching area for maximum visibility of all courts and serving areas
Observation Focus
Watch for correct ball release technique, appropriate serving distance, and safe racket handling
Intervention Points
Step in if students showing incorrect technique that could cause injury, or if disputes over calls become heated
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate: Use slow-motion serves to show technique clearly, exaggerate ball release height for visibility, model positive sportsmanship language
Verbal Cues
- •'Straight arm throw!'
- •'Head height release!'
- •'Smooth follow-through!'
- •'Fair call!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 18m x 9m per court, with 2m clear space around all boundaries
Surface Check
Even, non-slip surface free from water, debris, or obstacles
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check tennis rackets for loose strings or damaged frames
- •Ensure tennis balls are appropriate pressure - not too hard
- •Verify base stations and cones have no sharp edges or damage
- •Check nets (if used) are properly secured and appropriate height
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to head or body during serving practice
- •Racket contact between students in close proximity
- •Slips and falls on court surface
- •Collisions during simultaneous serving activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Establish clear serving boundaries and safe zones
- •Ensure adequate spacing between pairs (minimum 4m)
- •Teach proper racket handling and control
- •Use progressive skill building to develop control before power
- •Implement clear stop signals for immediate activity cessation
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all serving areas simultaneously
- •Monitor high-activity areas during game play
- •Maintain awareness of equipment handling throughout lesson
- •Watch for fatigue affecting technique and safety
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, ensure injured student receives necessary support