Lesson 1 - Doubles Tennis Tactics and Scoring
Competitive Doubles Play
•Year 6
•Tennis
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can we work together as a team to outsmart our opponents in doubles tennis?
Learning Objectives
- To recall and apply doubles tennis strategies from Year 5
- To understand and implement tennis scoring system including deuce situations
- To develop tactical awareness and shot placement in doubles play
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate effective doubles positioning and communication
- Students will accurately keep score using tennis terminology
- Students will execute strategic shot placement to create winning opportunities
Equipment & Resources Required
Check grip size appropriate for students' hands
Alternative: Badminton rackets or short tennis rackets
Have spare balls available around court perimeter
Alternative: Foam balls or low-pressure tennis balls for easier play
Mark service boxes, baselines, and sidelines clearly
Alternative: Chalk lines or tape if permanent courts available
Include tennis scoring system reference on cards
Alternative: Whiteboard and pen per court
Key Vocabulary
When both players or teams have scored 3 points (40-40) in tennis
One point ahead after deuce - need to win by 2 clear points
The area where the serve must land - diagonally opposite the server
Balanced stance with knees bent, racket up, ready to move in any direction
How doubles partners position themselves to cover the entire court effectively
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic tennis grips and stance from Year 5
- Understanding of singles tennis rules
- Basic serving technique
- Forehand and backhand shots
Current Skills
- Doubles court positioning and movement
- Tennis scoring system including deuce
- Tactical shot placement
- Partnership communication and coordination
Next Steps
- Advanced doubles tactics and formations
- Tournament play with multiple opponents
- Complex scoring scenarios and tie-breaks
- Leadership roles in organising matches
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Doubles partners must communicate and work together to cover the entire court effectively
- Tennis scoring follows unique pattern: 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, Game - must win by 2 points from deuce
- Strategic shot placement into space is more effective than hitting with maximum power
- Ready position recovery after each shot is crucial for defensive court coverage
- Service accuracy to correct diagonal service box is fundamental skill requirement
- Tournament ladder system motivates continuous improvement and competitive spirit
- Deuce situations require mental resilience and tactical awareness under pressure
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking both players should stay at baseline - explain net player advantages and court coverage
- Believing advantage point wins the game - clarify need for 2-point lead from deuce
- Assuming power is more important than placement - demonstrate effectiveness of controlled shots
- Forgetting to return to ready position - emphasise defensive preparation importance
- Not understanding service box rules - practice diagonal serving pattern repeatedly
- Confusion about court movement in tournaments - clearly explain up/down ladder progression
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide frequent positive feedback, use clear boundaries and simplified rules initially
dyspraxia
- Use larger, lighter rackets and slower balls, reduce court dimensions, provide additional practice time for coordination skills
autism spectrum
- Provide clear visual schedules for tournament format, offer quiet zones for breaks, maintain consistent routines and expectations
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and rackets, provide verbal descriptions of court positions, pair with sighted partner for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for scoring and game management, provide written instruction cards, ensure clear sight lines for demonstrations
physical disability
- Modify court size and equipment as needed, allow seated play positions, adapt serving rules for range of motion limitations
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Tennis scoring system progression (15, 30, 40), calculating game wins and tournament ladders, angles and geometry of court positioning
Science
Forces in tennis shots (power, spin, trajectory), projectile motion of ball flight, friction between ball and court surface
Geography
Court dimensions and spatial awareness, mapping movement patterns around court, compass directions for shot placement
PSHE
Teamwork and communication in doubles partnerships, resilience in competitive situations, respect for opponents and officials
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location with clear sightlines to all four courts, move to individual courts for specific coaching
Observation Focus
Monitor doubles positioning, serving accuracy, tactical shot placement, and adherence to scoring system
Intervention Points
Step in when safety risks emerge, scoring disputes arise, or students need tactical guidance
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for court positioning, demonstrate scoring on large visible board, model proper tennis technique slowly
Verbal Cues
- •'Return to ready position!'
- •'Hit into space, not at players!'
- •'Communicate with your partner!'
- •'Check your score before serving!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
4 tennis courts minimum 23.77m x 10.97m with 6m clear space around each court
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from cracks, holes or loose objects that could cause trips
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check racket grips secure and no damaged strings
- •Verify tennis balls are in good condition without cracks
- •Ensure nets are properly tensioned and secured
- •Confirm cone markers are visible and stable
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Racket collisions between players
- •Trips over equipment or court markers
- •Overexertion in competitive situations
Risk Mitigation
- •Emphasise controlled swings near other players
- •Maintain safe distances between courts during play
- •Regular equipment checks throughout lesson
- •Monitor competitive intensity and provide rest breaks
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all courts simultaneously
- •Monitor high-activity tournament matches closely
- •Stay mobile to provide immediate support where needed
Emergency Procedures
Stop play immediately with whistle signal, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, ensure clear access for emergency services if required