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Lesson 5 - Tag Team Tennis Application

Competitive Doubles Play

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Year 6

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Tennis

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Big Question

How can we apply tactical thinking and teamwork to win competitive tennis matches?

Learning Objectives

Apply forehand and backhand techniques with accuracy and pace in competitive game situations
Demonstrate tactical understanding of court positioning and space creation in doubles tennis
Collaborate effectively with partners using communication and strategic decision-making

Key Outcomes

Students will consistently serve to the correct court area and return to ready positions
Students will create and exploit space using tactical shot placement in tag team format
Students will demonstrate effective doubles communication and partnership skills

Equipment & Resources Required

Tennis Balls

2 per court (24 total)

Place spare balls at back of each court for quick retrieval

Alternative: Foam tennis balls, low compression balls for easier control

Tennis Rackets

1 per student (30)

Check racket grip sizes appropriate for student hand sizes

Alternative: Shorter junior rackets for less confident students, paddles for adapted play

Cones

12 cones

Set cones 60cm apart to represent net height and width

Alternative: Mini tennis nets, rope between poles, benches turned on side

Sun Markers

32 cones (4 per court)

Mark service boxes clearly with different coloured cones

Alternative: Chalk lines, masking tape, rope rectangles

Dish Cones

20 cones

Different coloured cones for each court to track wins

Alternative: Counters, clipboards with paper, electronic scoreboards

Score Sheets

8 sheets

One per court with tennis tiebreak scoring format pre-printed

Alternative: Mini whiteboards, laminated score cards

Key Vocabulary

Tag Team Tennis

A competitive format where partners rotate onto court after set number of points while maintaining continuous scoring

Tiebreak

A scoring system where first to 7 points (winning by 2) wins the set

Service Box

The diagonal rectangular area where the serve must land to be considered 'in'

Ready Position

Athletic stance with knees bent, weight forward, racket up, ready to move in any direction

Space Creation

Hitting the ball away from opponents to create open court areas for winning shots

Court Coverage

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 forehand and backhand stroke techniques
Understanding of tennis court areas and boundaries
Simple rally skills and basic serving technique
Basic doubles positioning and movement

Current Skills

Advanced tactical shot placement in competitive situations
Effective doubles communication and positioning strategies
Tag team rotation and continuous competitive play
Tennis scoring system application in tiebreak format

Next Steps

Tournament-style competition with advanced tactical variations
Leadership roles in coaching and mentoring other students
Advanced serving techniques including spin and placement
Modified games with complex tactical scenarios

Milestone Indicators

Consistent rally length of 6+ shots with tactical intent

Successful service placement 7/10 attempts to correct box

Effective space creation leading to point wins

Clear communication and tactical discussions with partners

Key Teaching Points

Tag team rotation system maintains engagement for all students throughout matches
Tiebreak scoring system creates clear winners while managing time effectively
Space creation is the key tactical concept linking technical skills to competitive success
Doubles communication must be immediate and clear to avoid conflicts over balls
Continuous tournament format with cone collection maintains motivation across multiple matches
Competitive pressure reveals technical strengths and areas for improvement
Partnership skills developed through tag team format transfer to many life situations

Common Misconceptions

Students think power is more important than placement - emphasise accuracy and space creation over hitting hard
Belief that tennis is individual sport - highlight doubles teamwork and communication requirements throughout
Assumption that winning requires perfect technique - demonstrate how tactical awareness can overcome technical limitations
Thinking that tag team tennis is just normal tennis with substitutions - explain how continuous scoring changes strategy
Misconception that coaching from partner is not allowed - encourage positive tactical input during matches

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter tiebreak formats if needed, regular movement and activity changes, clear immediate feedback

dyspraxia

Larger equipment available, simplified scoring systems, extra practice time with patient partners

autism spectrum

Clear visual schedule of tournament format, quiet zones available for breaks, predictable rotation system

visual impairment

Use bright coloured balls and cones, provide verbal description of court layout, buddy system for court navigation

hearing impairment

Visual signals for scoring and tags, written rule cards available, clear visual demonstrations

physical disability

Shorter rackets available, larger balls for easier contact, modified court sizes, wheelchair accessible courts

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Tiebreak scoring calculations, counting points and cones collected, angles for tactical shot placement

Science

Forces and angles in tennis shots, spin effects on ball flight, reaction times in doubles play

Geography

Court spatial awareness, direction and positioning concepts, mapping court coverage strategies

PSHE

Partnership skills, resilience under competitive pressure, celebrating others' achievements, dealing with winning and losing

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position between courts allowing clear view of all 8 courts, move actively between courts during tournament

Observation Focus

Monitor tactical decision-making, doubles communication quality, competitive behaviour and technical skill application

Intervention Points

Step in if scoring disputes arise, technique breakdown occurs, or unsporting behaviour develops

Demonstration Notes

Use students as examples of good play during tournament, demonstrate tactical concepts when natural breaks occur

Verbal Cues

•'Create space with your shots!'
•'Communicate with your partner!'
•'Tag after 4 points!'
•'Think tactically - where's the gap?'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 40m area to accommodate 8 mini tennis courts with safe spacing

Surface Check

Dry, non-slip surface free from holes, debris or obstacles that could cause trips

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check tennis rackets for loose strings or damaged frames before use
•Ensure cones used as nets have no sharp edges or cracks
•Verify balls are properly inflated and not split or damaged

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Racket contact between students during doubles play
•Ball strikes to other students or spectators
•Slips and falls during quick direction changes
•Overexertion during competitive tag team format

Risk Mitigation

•Clear court boundaries established with adequate safety zones
•Emphasis on controlled swings and spatial awareness
•Regular hydration breaks during intense competition
•Teacher positioning for maximum supervision of all courts

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position centrally to observe all courts simultaneously
•Monitor competitive intensity levels throughout tournament
•Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion in students
•Ensure fair play and appropriate sporting behaviour

Emergency Procedures

Stop all play immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, seek additional help if required