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Lesson 2 - Forehand Drive & Rally Skills

Tennis Strokes Basics

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Year 9

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Tennis

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Big Question

How can mastering the forehand drive unlock tactical opportunities in tennis rallies?

Learning Objectives

Play reciprocal tennis with a partner maintaining consistent rallies
Describe and demonstrate the key components of an effective forehand drive
Apply tactical concepts of width and depth to gain advantage in game situations

Key Outcomes

Students will sustain rallies of 10+ shots using controlled forehand drives
Students will identify and correct common forehand technique errors in themselves and peers
Students will demonstrate tactical awareness by using court positioning and shot placement strategically

Equipment & Resources Required

Tennis Rackets

4-6 nets for full courts

Check grip size appropriate for each student's hand size

Alternative: Shorter/lighter racquets for less experienced players

Tennis Balls

2 per pair (30 balls)

Use different coloured balls to help with visual tracking

Alternative: Green dot (75% pressure) or orange balls for beginners

Cards

1 set per 4 students

Position cards at each practice station for easy reference

Alternative: Laminated technique sheets or mobile device videos

Cones

20-30 cones

Use to create target areas and court boundaries

Alternative: Chalk lines or tape markers

Hoops

8-10 hoops

Place in various court positions for accuracy practice

Alternative: Chalk circles or rope circles

Key Vocabulary

Forehand Drive

A tennis stroke played on the dominant side of the body with a full swing from low to high

Ready Position

Athletic stance with racquet up, knees bent, weight on balls of feet, ready to move in any direction

Sideways On

Body position turned perpendicular to the net with non-dominant shoulder pointing toward target

Rally

Continuous exchange of shots between players where the ball remains in play

Feed

Deliberately placing the ball accurately for a partner to practice a specific stroke

Width and Depth

Tactical concepts using the full court dimensions - hitting wide to move opponents and deep to push them back

Agility

The ability to change direction quickly and efficiently while maintaining balance and control

Control

Ability to place the ball accurately with appropriate pace and height consistently

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic racquet handling and ball control from previous tennis lessons
Understanding of court layout and basic tennis rules
Experience with simple feeding and catching activities

Current Skills

Forehand drive technique with emphasis on ready position and sideways stance
Rally development using controlled drives
Introduction to tactical concepts of width and depth

Next Steps

Backhand drive development and combination shots
Advanced tactical play including serve and volley
Competitive match play with scoring systems

Milestone Indicators

Consistent contact point in front of body during forehand drives

Ability to maintain rallies without losing control

Beginning to place shots deliberately rather than just returning

Key Teaching Points

Ready position is the foundation - athletic stance with weight forward and racquet prepared
Sideways stance with early racquet preparation creates optimal hitting position
Contact point in front of body with low-to-high swing path generates control and topspin
Quality of feed directly impacts practice success - teach feeding as carefully as hitting
Cooperative rallying builds skills faster than competitive play at this development stage
Depth control (hitting deep in court) is a fundamental tactical concept
Peer coaching develops both technical understanding and communication skills

Common Misconceptions

Power is more important than control - emphasise placement and consistency over hard hitting
Forehand and backhand use the same grip - clearly distinguish between grip positions
Contact point can be anywhere - stress importance of contact in front of body
Rallying means trying to beat your partner - teach cooperative approach for skill development
Tennis is only about hitting hard - introduce tactical concepts of placement and court position

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Short activity bursts with regular changes, clear physical boundaries, frequent positive feedback and movement breaks

dyspraxia

Larger balls and shorter racquets for easier control, reduced complexity in initial stages, extra practice time and patience

autism spectrum

Clear structured routines for each activity, visual activity schedules, quiet zones available for breaks

visual impairment

Use bright coloured balls for contrast, verbal descriptions of target areas, buddy system for positioning and feedback

hearing impairment

Clear visual demonstrations of all techniques, written coaching cards available, hand signals for common instructions

physical disability

Shorter/lighter racquets available, modified court sizes, seated playing options where appropriate

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Calculating rally totals, measuring court distances, understanding angles of shot placement and geometric court areas

Science

Forces involved in topspin generation, physics of ball bounce and trajectory, biomechanics of efficient movement patterns

Geography

Spatial awareness and court positioning, understanding directional concepts of width and depth in tactical play

PSHE

Partnership and teamwork skills, resilience when facing challenges, leadership development through peer coaching

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move around perimeter of practice areas for optimal visibility, position near challenging groups for support

Observation Focus

Watch for correct technique development, safe practice habits, positive peer interaction, and progressive skill improvement

Intervention Points

Step in when technique is unsafe, when pairs need communication support, or when game rules need clarification

Demonstration Notes

Use slow-motion demonstrations for technique clarity, exaggerate key movement patterns, show common mistakes alongside correct technique

Verbal Cues

•'Sideways on, racquet back!'
•'Contact in front, brush up!'
•'Control first, power later!'
•'Help your partner succeed!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 20m for multiple court areas, access to tennis courts or marked areas ideal

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from hazards, suitable for quick direction changes and ball bouncing

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check tennis racquets for secure grips and no loose parts
•Ensure tennis balls are in good condition and correctly pressurised
•Verify nets are securely attached and at correct height
•Check coaching cards are laminated with no sharp edges

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Ball strikes to head or body from powerful shots
•Collisions during movement and direction changes
•Racquet contact during close-proximity practice
•Slips and falls on court surface

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established for all practice areas
•Emphasis on controlled shots rather than power
•Adequate spacing between pairs and groups throughout
•Progressive skill building from stationary to dynamic activities

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all practice areas
•Monitor feeding quality to ensure safe practice
•Watch for appropriate shot selection in game activities
•Ensure fair rotation and positive group dynamics

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or seek additional support, incident reporting as required