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Lesson 6 - Underarm Serve & Scoring

Advanced Skills & Tactics

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Year 6

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Tennis

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45 min

Big Question

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

Base Stations

30 (1 per student)

Used to mark service areas and court boundaries

Alternative: Cones, rubber markers, or chalk marks

Cones

60 (for court marking)

Create net lines and court boundaries if permanent courts unavailable

Alternative: Rope, chalk lines, or existing court markings

Tennis Balls

15 (1 per pair)

Ensure balls are appropriate pressure for Year 6 students

Alternative: Soft tennis balls, foam balls for safety

Tennis Rackets

As available

Check racket condition and appropriate size for students

Alternative: Shorter junior rackets, table tennis bats for adapted version

Key Vocabulary

Underarm serve

A serving technique where the ball is hit from below shoulder height with an upward motion

Service area

The designated court area where the serve must land to be considered 'in'

Deuce

When both players have 40 points (3 points each), requiring a 2-point advantage to win

Advantage

The point after deuce when one player is one point ahead

Let

When a serve touches the net but lands in the correct service area, requiring a replay

Baseline

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

Consistently serves ball over net and into correct court area

Uses correct scoring terminology without prompting

Demonstrates fair play and good sportsmanship during competitive activities

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