Lesson 5 - Doubles Positioning and Game Play
Doubles Strategy & Communication
•Year 6
•Tennis
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How can effective positioning and partnership help us dominate the tennis court?
Learning Objectives
- To understand and apply basic positioning strategies in doubles tennis
- To work effectively with a partner to score points using tactical movement
- To recognise how positioning can create scoring opportunities and defend against attacks
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate coordinated movement with their partner during doubles play
- Students will apply positioning strategies to create and exploit space on the court
- Students will show understanding of tennis scoring systems and game rules
Equipment & Resources Required
Check racquet grip size is appropriate for each student
Alternative: Wooden bats, short tennis racquets for smaller hands
Use low-bounce balls to help maintain rallies
Alternative: Foam balls, bean bags for initial practice
Mark directional points (North, South, East, West) and court boundaries
Alternative: Chalk lines, rope, floor tape
Adjust height to 2.5ft for Year 6 students
Alternative: Rope between posts, benches, or marked lines
Key Vocabulary
A tennis game played with two players on each side of the net
Where players place themselves on the court to be most effective
Making sure all areas of the court are defended by you or your partner
Moving in a pattern to maintain effective court coverage
The line that serves must land beyond to be legal
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic tennis strokes and ball control
- Individual court positioning awareness
- Understanding of tennis scoring from previous lessons
Current Skills
- Doubles positioning and movement patterns
- Partner communication and coordination
- Tactical awareness in game situations
Next Steps
- Advanced doubles tactics and strategies
- Tournament-style competitive play
- Leadership roles in coaching peers
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Doubles positioning is about partnership and communication, not individual brilliance
- When your partner moves to hit a shot, you must move to cover the space they've left
- Effective positioning creates opportunities to score points and prevents opponents from scoring
- Communication between partners is essential for successful doubles play
- Movement should be continuous and coordinated, not static or reactive
- Good positioning makes tennis easier by reducing the court area opponents can target
- Practice and repetition help positioning become automatic rather than conscious decisions
Common Misconceptions
- Students thinking they only need to move when the ball comes to them - correct by emphasising continuous court coverage
- Believing good doubles play means staying in fixed positions - show how movement and rotation are essential
- Assuming individual skills matter more than partnership - demonstrate how cooperation multiplies effectiveness
- Thinking positioning is too complicated - break down into simple 'opposite space' principles
- Believing they can't influence play when not hitting the ball - highlight the importance of covering and supporting
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide frequent positive feedback, use clear visual boundaries and expectations
dyspraxia
- Use larger, slower balls, provide additional practice time, simplify movement patterns initially, offer physical guidance as needed
autism spectrum
- Provide clear, predictable routines, use visual schedules for activity sequence, offer quiet zones if overwhelmed
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and racquets, provide clear verbal descriptions of court areas, partner with sighted buddy for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals and hand gestures, provide written court diagrams, ensure student can see teacher demonstrations clearly
physical disability
- Modify court size and equipment, allow seated play where appropriate, adapt movement requirements to individual capabilities
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Angles and geometry in court positioning, counting and scoring systems, spatial relationships and coordinates
Science
Forces and motion in ball flight, lever principles in racquet use, reaction times and movement efficiency
Geography
Compass directions and spatial awareness, mapping court areas and movement patterns
PSHE
Communication skills and active listening, cooperation and teamwork, resilience in competitive situations
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between courts to observe all groups, position for clear voice projection and visual monitoring
Observation Focus
Watch for tactical application of positioning, quality of partner communication, safety awareness
Intervention Points
Step in when positioning concepts are misunderstood, when competitive intensity becomes unsafe, when students need encouragement
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements to show positioning concepts, contrast good and poor examples, involve students in demonstrations when appropriate
Verbal Cues
- •'Cover the space your partner isn't in!'
- •'Talk to your partner about your next move!'
- •'Great positioning - you're thinking like doubles players!'
- •'Where should you be when your partner goes to the net?'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 4 courts of 15m x 8m each, with 2m safety margins between courts
Surface Check
Dry, level surface free from loose balls or equipment, appropriate for tennis movements
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check racquet strings and frames for damage
- •Ensure balls are appropriate bounce and not over-inflated
- •Confirm net heights are secure and appropriate for age group
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during movement
- •Racquet contact with other students
- •Slips during directional changes
- •Ball strikes from neighbouring courts
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear court boundaries established and maintained
- •Adequate spacing between courts and groups
- •Controlled feeding and appropriate ball speed
- •Clear sight lines for teacher supervision
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all courts
- •Monitor competitive intensity to maintain safety
- •Watch for fatigue affecting movement quality
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required