Lesson 6 - Doubles Tactics and Competition
Doubles Strategy & Communication
•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 as a doubles team to outplay our opponents using tactical positioning and shot selection?
Learning Objectives
- Use doubles positioning to explore attacking and defensive play
- Work collaboratively with a partner to develop and implement tactics against other pairs
- Compete fairly whilst identifying areas for improvement in individual and team performance
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate tactical awareness in doubles positioning during competitive play
- Students will communicate effectively with their partner to implement agreed tactics
- Students will use the full tennis scoring system accurately and identify specific areas for improvement
Equipment & Resources Required
Check racquet condition and appropriate size for students
Alternative: Short tennis racquets, table tennis bats for students with coordination difficulties
Have spare balls available around court perimeter
Alternative: Orange dot balls for slower play, foam balls for SEND students
Mark court boundaries clearly, ensure visibility
Alternative: Chalk lines, masking tape on indoor surfaces
Set at appropriate height (80cm), ensure stability
Alternative: Rope between chairs, cone and pole arrangements
Position where both teams can see clearly
Alternative: Paper scorecards, mobile phone apps
Display clearly for students to check next matches
Alternative: Whiteboard with fixture list, digital tournament app
Key Vocabulary
Strategic placement of both players on court to cover maximum area effectively
Aggressive tactics aimed at winning points quickly through powerful or well-placed shots
Tactics focused on returning shots safely and waiting for opponent errors
Planned strategies used to gain advantage over opponents
Competition where each team plays every other team once
Traditional tennis scoring: Love, 15, 30, 40, Game
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic tennis strokes (forehand, backhand, serve)
- Individual court positioning and movement
- Understanding of tennis court boundaries and basic rules
- Experience playing singles tennis games
Current Skills
- Doubles positioning for attacking and defensive play
- Tactical communication with a partner
- Strategic shot placement in doubles format
- Full tennis scoring system application
Next Steps
- Advanced doubles strategies and formations
- Tournament format competition
- Officiating and umpiring skills
- Analysis of professional doubles play
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Doubles success depends on effective partner communication throughout the game
- Tactical shot placement is more important than power in doubles play
- Quick transitions between attacking and defensive formations create competitive advantage
- Tennis scoring system requires practice and consistent application
- Sportsmanship and fair play are equally important as technical skills
- Observation of opponents' positioning informs tactical decision-making
- Tournament format provides authentic assessment of skill development
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: Hitting the ball harder will always win points. Correction: Accuracy and placement are more effective than power
- Misconception: Both players should always stay in the same court position. Correction: Formations should change based on tactical situations
- Misconception: Tennis scoring is too complicated to learn. Correction: Practice and repetition make scoring system automatic
- Misconception: Competition is only about winning. Correction: Learning, improvement, and sportsmanship are equally valuable outcomes
- Misconception: Doubles is just like singles with two people. Correction: Doubles requires specific positioning, communication, and tactics
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break tournament into shorter match periods, provide clear structure and expectations, offer movement breaks between matches
dyspraxia
- Use larger balls and shorter racquets, provide additional practice time for tactical concepts, simplify court positioning initially
autism spectrum
- Provide clear tournament structure and schedules, offer quiet areas between matches, use visual supports for tactics and rules
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and racquets, provide clear verbal descriptions of court positioning, use tactile markers for court boundaries
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for scoring and tactical instructions, provide written tournament schedules, use hand signals for communication
physical disability
- Allow seated play where appropriate, use larger/lighter racquets, modify court sizes, provide alternative scoring methods
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Clear communication with partners during tactical discussions, using subject-specific vocabulary accurately, giving and receiving constructive feedback
Science
Understanding forces in racquet sports, trajectory and angles of ball flight, impact of different surfaces on ball bounce
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation in partnership situations, resilience when facing competitive challenges, respect and fair play towards opponents
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between courts during tournament to observe all matches, position centrally during whole-class instruction
Observation Focus
Monitor tactical implementation, partnership communication, sportsmanship during competition, safety during all activities
Intervention Points
Step in for unsafe play, poor sportsmanship, scoring disputes, or students showing signs of frustration
Demonstration Notes
Use slow-motion demonstrations for tactical concepts, emphasise communication with teaching assistant as partner, model excellent sportsmanship throughout
Verbal Cues
- •'Where's the space on their court?'
- •'Talk to your partner!'
- •'Control before power!'
- •'Good sportsmanship!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large sports hall or 8 outdoor tennis courts, minimum 40m x 60m total area
Surface Check
Non-slip surface free from water, debris, or damaged court markings
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all racquets for secure strings and intact handles
- •Ensure balls are in good condition without cracks
- •Verify nets/benches are stable and appropriate height
- •Confirm court markers are secure and visible
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between players during doubles play
- •Racquet contact injuries during competitive play
- •Slips and falls on court surface
- •Overexertion during tournament format
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear court boundaries and adequate spacing between playing areas
- •Emphasis on controlled shots rather than power
- •Regular hydration breaks during tournament play
- •Immediate stops for any safety concerns
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all courts during competitive play
- •Monitor student behaviour during competitive pressure
- •Watch for signs of fatigue during extended tournament
Emergency Procedures
Stop all play immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact school office if required