Tennis

Year 3-4

LESSON 1: The ‘Ready’ position

LESSON 2: Hitting the ball and keeping a rally going

LESSON 3: Understanding the flight of the ball

LESSON 4: Understanding where to stand and move on the court

LESSON 5: Reacting to the ball direction and positioning ready for the shot

LESSON 6: Keeping a rally going

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES:

Target Tennis

Tennis Rally

Tennis Tap-ups

Choose an activity from Striver to assess ability and progress before, during and after your lessons. The activities can be used as a warm up or run alongside these lessons, with groups taking time out from the main lesson to attempt the activity. Scores from these activities can also be used to run challenges between classes and house teams. Or you can easily create your own activities within Striver and even share them with the Striver community.

TEACHING TIPS:

Always model the skills you are teaching.

Assess whether certain pupils would benefit from more work on specific skills individually or in

small groups before moving on to game situations where they have to apply these skills.

Similarly, assess whether certain pupils would benefit from moving on to game situations

sooner to apply their developed range of skills.

KLP = Key learning point PT = Pupil talk EXT = Extend

Tennis Year 3-4 Lesson 1/6

LESSON OBJECTIVES: The ‘Ready’ position

WARM UP: Practise the ‘Ready’ position MAIN LESSON: Play ‘Floor Tennis’

RESOURCES: WARM UP: Rackets, cones, defined playing area MAIN LESSON: Rackets, balls, cones

WARM UP ORGANISATION:

Teacher familiarises themselves with the basic shots outlined below. Pupils move around a defined space. Teacher

explains the importance of balance and what the ready position looks like (see teacher support notes). Highlight the safe

use of rackets. KLP: Explain to the children that control of their body is just as important as controlling the ball when

playing tennis. Explain what a forehand and a backhand is (see teacher support notes).

WARM UP ACTIVITY:

Pupils run around the defined area in different directions and stop with control on command of the teacher in a ‘ready’

position. They then run to the nearest line and balance (remain steady) in a way indicated by the teacher. Do in different

ways:

Without rackets – call out for pupils to balance on various parts of the body - one foot and one hand, bottom, on tiptoes, one knee or one hand

With rackets – call out forehand, backhand, smash. Pupils get into position as if going to do that shot. They do not actually do the shot (Safety – Ensure pupils check for space, away from other pupils, before swinging a racket)

WARM UP TECHNIQUE:

Coordinate arms and legs while running

Stop quietly and balance with knees bent and feet apart

Head up and remain still when balancing

EASY: Run and stop on a line with both feet in a ready position – stand or jog on the spot on command of ready, pupils

change to ready position. EXT: Hold the balance positions for different lengths of time

MAIN LESSON ORGANISATION: Organise pupils in 2s and into space. Define the playing area (preferably grass). Move pupils to side of area and demonstrate. Use rackets - highlight safe use of rackets (space). KLP: Encourage using 2 hands on the backhand side.

MAIN ACTIVITY: 1. Pupil 1 rolls the ball along the floor to one side of pupil 2 who is in the ready position. Pupil 2 stops the ball on the

appropriate forehand or backhand side with the racket face behind the ball; then pushes it back. Pupil 1 catches the ball and rolls it again. After 3 pushes pupils change roles.

2. As Activity One but pupil 2 pushes the ball back without stopping it first 3. Floor tennis rally- both pupils with rackets push the ball along the floor to each other between 2 cones (2m apart)

MAIN TECHNIQUE: Put the favorite hand at the bottom of the grip and get ready in between pushes. Contact the ball out in front. Push the ball – do not swing at it. EASY: Use hands to stop the ball and push it back, roll the ball to each other. EXTEND: In a rally both pupils push alternative forehands and backhands- stop the ball with a foot then push with a racket. Set the cones wider for more movement. Set the cones narrower for accuracy.

Tennis Year 3-4 Lesson 1/6

COMPETITION: In 2s rally through cones. Count how many push shots in one rally and remember the best score. Compete against other

pairs. For every rally of 6 shots in a row win a cone. Collect cones for 2 minutes. Race to achieve 5 cones.

COOL DOWN: Shapes Ask pupils to draw circles/shapes/numbers with different parts of their bodies – knees, elbows, shoulders hips, legs, arms.

KLP: Perform with control and help pupils to learn that controlled movements are careful, smooth and stoppable.

REFLECT AND EVALUATE (discussion during cool down)

Which parts of your body hold you in position when you balance?

What are you thinking about and where are you looking when you get ready?

Where is the best contact point?

Which did you find easier – turning to the forehand or turning to the backhand?

What is important to keep a rally going?

What is the best way to stop when the teacher calls “ready”?

Which balancing did you find the hardest?

Teacher Support Notes:

What is the ‘Ready Position’? See the explanation at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/skills/4230606.stm

The ‘Ready Position’ is fundamental to Tennis as it gets your body set up to move and hit the ball. What does the ready

position look like?

Both hands need to start on the racket

Feet need to be at least shoulder width apart - head and eyes looking forwards

Bend your knees slightly

After hitting the ball return to the centre of the court and the ready position as soon as possible.

What is the Forehand? The open palm approaches the shot http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/skills/4230728.stm

What is a Backhand (one handed and two handed shots)? The back of the hand approaches the shot:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/skills/4237238.stm

What is a smash? The ball is overhead and is driven down – can be forehand and backhand:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/skills/4237672.stm

Safety notes:

Ensure children understand the rules for retrieving a lost or overthrown ball

Ask children to check they have enough space around them before hitting the ball

Ensure enough space around for all to move

Ensure right sized rackets for children and ensure plenty of time is built into the lesson to enable children to

practise using the rackets

Tennis

Year 3-4 Lesson 2/6

LESSON OBJECTIVES: Hitting the ball and keeping a rally going

WARM UP: Play ‘Ball Bounce’ MAIN LESSON: Play ‘Tap up Tennis’

RESOURCES: WARM UP: Balls, rackets, defined playing area MAIN LESSON: Rackets, balls, throw-down lines

WARM UP ORGANISATION: Define the playing area and its boundaries. Position the children within the playing area. KLP: Demonstrate the skills of

bouncing a ball on the ground with the hand. Safety: Stay in the area and watch other pupils to avoid any collisions

WARM UP ACTIVITY: Pupils move around the area bouncing a ball in a dribble style, like basketball, with their hand. Move by walking, jogging,

sidestepping or walking backwards. Keep control of the ball at all times. Call out different actions – Ready, left hand, right

hand, both hands, alternate hands, skipping, hopping or at the side.

WARM UP TECHNIQUE:

Keep body height the same, not bobbing up and down

Bounce the ball at around waist height

Watch the ball and be aware of spaces and other pupils EASY: Use a bigger ball, bounce and catch each time, bounce with a favorite hand and move slowly.

EXTEND: Use rackets. Change direction on command, bounce ball at different heights.

MAIN ACTIVITY ORGANISATION: Define the playing area. Position pupils at the side of the playing area and demonstrate. Highlight safe use of rackets -

SPACE. Organise pupils into spaces.

MAIN ACTIVITY – Tennis ball taps ups (with a racket) Activity One: Solo tap-ups – in a defined area tap the ball up in the air each time to head height. Let it bounce on the

ground and tap it again. Keep repeating 1 bounce on the ground, 1 tap up. If the ball goes out of the area, stop and start

again.

KLP – Teachers look at the advice on the grip below. Ask pupils to try two hands on the racket if needed.

Activity Two: In 2s hit alternative tap-ups into the same small area, moving out of each others’ way.

Activity Three: Micro Tennis - rally with a partner gently tapping the ball to each other over a line and into a small court.

MAIN TECHNIQUE:

Get ready to move with feet apart and eyes watching the ball

Control the racket, keep it flat and move it smoothly

Contact the ball at a relaxed distance from the body

Tap the ball up to head height Bend the knees as the ball falls

EASY: Throw the ball up, let it bounce and trap the ball with a hand on the strings. Roll the ball around on the racket.

Balance the ball on the racket and walk or run. EXTEND: Allow different numbers of bounces in sequences 1-2-3. Use

alternative sides of the racket. Make the ball land on a target such as a line or a spot. Do low taps-ups and high tap-ups.

Tennis

Year 3-4 Lesson 2/6

COMPETITION:

In 2s pupil 1 does tap-ups into a defined area and pupil 2 counts. After 1 minute change roles and continue

counting. Compete against other pairs.

In 2s in a defined area, count alternative tap-ups (alternating sides of racket) in a row and record best score.

Compete against other pairs.

In 2s play Micro Tennis and count hits in a row. Win a cone for 6 in a row. Compete against other pairs.

COOL DOWN: Marching Get pupils to stand with feet hip-width apart and place their hands on their hips. Lift and lower alternative knees whilst

standing tall. Keep tummy muscles tight and perform with control. KLP: Perform with control and help pupils to learn

that controlled movements are careful, smooth and stoppable.

REFLECT AND EVALUATE (discussion during Cool Down) Which part of your hand is touching the ball when you hit it?

Is the ball rising or falling when you first touch it?

How can you make the ball bounce slower?

How does being able to move in different directions help with playing tennis?

How could you improve your tap-ups next time?

How fit do you think tennis players have to be to play a tennis game?

Why is it important to Cool Down?

Gripping the racket (Forehand):

Pupils shake hands with the racket. If pupils find this

difficult, pupils hold further up the racket handle.

Place a second hand on the racket if required

Gripping the racket (backhand) The simplest

way to form the doubled-handed grip is to

hold the racquet with your favoured hand in

the shake-hands forehand grip, then add the

other hand with another forehand grip.

Once you have mastered that, start to nudge

your right hand more onto the top of the

grip

Tennis Year 3-4 Lesson 3/6

LESSON OBJECTIVES: Understanding the flight of the ball

WARM UP: Play ‘Cross the River’ MAIN LESSON: Catch Tennis

RESOURCES: WARM UP: Throw-down lines, balls, cones, MAIN LESSON: Rackets, balls, throw-down lines

defined playing area

WARM UP ORGANISATION: Set up the river from the baseline to the net. Position the pupils at the baseline and explain the task. Do not demonstrate

– let them work it out for themselves. Organise the pupils into 2s with 3 ‘throw down lines’ for each pair. KLP: Explain

how important it is to balance whilst moving, turning and stretching.

WARM UP ACTIVITY: Ask pupil 1 to cross the river by creating a pathway using the lines, working out the best way to do it. Pupil 2 then crosses

the river. Challenge pupils to cross without stepping off a line and find different ways to move from one line to the next.

WARM UP TECHNIQUE:

Bend at the knees and the waist to get low

Not too fast, keep balanced

Think carefully where to place the next line

EASY: Pupils have an assistant to help move the lines. The whole path is laid out using many lines and pupils just cross.

EXT: Use 2 throw down-lines. In 2s pupils cross together using only 3 lines. Split into teams and race, pupils start again if

they step off the line.

MAIN ACTIVITY ORGANISATION: Define the playing area. Position pupils at the side of the area and demonstrate. Organise pupils in 2s and into spaces.

Activities to be played in order.

MAIN ACTIVITIES – Play Catch Tennis: Activity One: SOLO- Throw the ball up, let it bounce, rise, start to fall and then catch it with an upturned cone using 1 or 2 hands. Activity Two: SOLO: Throw the ball up let it bounce, rise, fall and catch it with 2 hands. Activity Three: In 2s, pupils 4m apart. Pupil 1 with a ball and pupil 2 in the ready position holding an upturned cone with 1 or 2 hands. Pupil 1 throws the ball towards pupil 2 who lets it bounce, catches it in the cone and then throws it back. The catch should be out in front. Activity Four: In 2s pupil rally over the net throwing and catching in a defined area. Throw the ball further away from the

partner - higher, lower, shorter and wider. Pupil throws from wherever they catch it and then recover to the middle and

get ready.

Activity Five: Add an overarm throw for the first throw in the rally to stimulate serve.

MAIN TECHNIQUE: Throw underarm with a smooth arm swing at the side of the body

Recover after the throw and get ready for the next catch

Get ready for the catch with hands in front, palms forward and fingers down

Get behind the bounce of the ball

Control the catch using soft hands

EASY: Catch the ball in a bag or bucket. Use a bigger ball. Roll the ball along the ground. EXT: Throw and catch with 2

Tennis Year 3-4 Lesson 3/6

hands. In 2s make the court bigger and make each other move around more in the service area.

COMPETITION: Mark out a small court area with a net or similar. In 2s, pupils rally with a ball in a defined court area. Each rally starts with an overarm throw. If the ball goes out of the area rally stops. Count how many catches in a row. Remember best score. Compete against other pairs. Race to do 10 catches in a row.

COOL DOWN: Stretching – standing / lying wide Get pupils to do a variety of stretches and hold each stretch for 6 seconds. KLP: avoid locking knees and elbows in

stretched positions.

Standing: stand and stretch their arms out (11 and 1 o’clock) and feet out as if in a stationary star jump. Stretch

the fingers and toes and remain still and breathing while stretching.

Lying tall on the floor with arms above the head

Whole body stretch sitting wide

REFLECT AND EVALUATE (discussion during Cool Down)

Where should you meet the ball to catch it?

What was the ball doing when you caught it?

How is the bounce different when the ball goes higher or lower?

How can you tell which direction the ball is travelling in?

Tennis Year 3-4 Lesson 4/6

LESSON OBJECTIVES: Understanding where to stand and move on the court WARM UP: Play ‘Jump Square’ (without rackets) MAIN LESSON: Play Home Base (without rackets)

RESOURCES: WARM UP: Throw-Down lines MAIN LESSON: Throw-Down lines, balls

WARM UP ORGANISATION : Create a large square in the court area with a line marking each corner and lines as prompts for the jumping activity.

Position the pupils outside the area and demonstrate the jumps along each side of the square. Organise the same number

of pupils at each corner.

WARM UP ACTIVITY:

Pupils jump the side of the square to the corner. The pupil at the front of the line waits until the person jumping the line

behind them reaches their corner before setting off. Each side of the square is different:

JUMP THE RIVER: run then jump taking off on 1 foot landing on 2 feet then run on to the end

MOGULS: 2-footed jumps zigzagging along the track

HOPS: hop on 1 foot to the middle then on the other to the end of the track

KANGAROO JUMPS: 2-footed jumps along the track

WARM UP TECHNIQUE:

Keep head still and eyes focused forwards on all jumps

Bend knees for take off and landing

Get balanced on landing before moving off again

Keep a good rhythm for repeated jumps EASY: Go slower. Start with 2 sides of the square and gradually add more. EXTEND: Make the activity faster and more

dynamic. Create more difficult activities e.g. combination of jumps such as hopscotch, star jumps. In a team count how

many times the pupils go round a square in a set time.

MAIN ACTIVITY ORGANISATION:

Pupils should have experienced ‘Catch Tennis’ as in Lesson 3. Define a court area suitable for the throwing ability of pupils and mark a ‘Home Base’ at each end using lines. Position pupils at the side of the court and demonstrate. Organise pupils into 2s in each court area MAIN ACTIVITY – Play Home Base (without rackets): In 2s play Catch Tennis. Pupils throw the ball to each other so that they have to move away from Home Base to catch it.

Pupils throw the ball from the place they catch it and then recover to the home base.

MAIN TECHNIQUE:

Get ready, balanced, feet apart, knees bent and ready to move

Recover quickly

Look at the ball during recovery

EASY: Stop after each catch to give the other pupil a chance to return to Home Base. Use a bigger or slower ball.

EXTEND: Increase the size of the court. Catch and throw with 2 hands on both sides. One pupil hits the ball. Both pupils

hit the ball.

Tennis Year 3-4 Lesson 4/6

COMPETITION: In 2s rally throwing and catching through cones (without rackets):

Count how many throws and catches in one rally and remember best score. Compete against other pairs.

For every rally of 6 throws and catches in a row win a cone. Collect cones for 2 minutes.

Race to do a rally of 10 throws and catches in a row.

COOL DOWN: Under over relay with a ball

Divide pupils into equal teams, with pupils standing in a line, an arm’s length apart

Pupils pass the ball under and over one by one and the last pupil moves to the front of the queue

Repeat and encourage large sweeping and mobilizing movements.

Finish with a controlled stretch – reach for the sky – reach for the ground and side to side.

REFLECT AND EVALUATE (discussion during Cool Down)

What do you do before you jump?

How do your arms help you balance when you are hopping or jumping?

Tennis Year 3-4 Lesson 5/6

LESSON OBJECTIVES: Reacting to the ball direction and positioning ready for the shot WARM UP: ‘Throw and Go’ MAIN LESSON: Play ‘Radar’ RESOURCES: WARM UP: Big balls, throw-down lines MAIN LESSON: Balls, throw-down lines

WARM UP ORGANISATION : Position the pupils at the side of a track and demonstrate. Organise pupils on each track, 2/3 at one end and 2/3 at the

other.

WARM UP ACTIVITY: Throw and Go Pupil 1 runs a few steps forward to the line, stops and throws the ball using 2 hands and an underarm throw action. The

ball bounces in front of the pupil at the other line, who catches it. Pupil 1 then runs across the court to join the back of

the line just thrown to. Pupils continue to catch, run, throw and run to the back of the opposite line. Use a variety of

throws – forehand, backhand, overhead throw.

WARM UP TECHNIQUE:

Stop and balance before throwing

Turn the body keeping the head still and shoulders level

Follow through with arms

EASY: Pupils start from the throwing position rather than moving to it. Pupils roll the ball. Roll a big ball or small ball.

EXTEND: Throw to a target area. Add a more complex movement to the run e.g. cross over steps or a zigzag of cones.

Throw so the ball does not bounce for the catcher.

MAIN ACTIVITY ORGANISATION:

Define each court area. Divide each court into two halves with a line down the centre. Position pupils at the side of a

court and demonstrate. Organise pupils into 2s in each court area.

MAIN ACTIVITY – Play Radar (with rackets): Do activities in order:

1. In 2s, pupil 1 throws the ball randomly to either side of the centre line using an underarm throw. Pupil 2 stands in

a ready position with a racket ready to receive the ball. As the ball is sent Pupil 1 calls out where it will land -

forehand or backhand. Pupil 2 moves to hit the ball and then recovers back to centre of the court. After 5 hits

pupils change roles.

2. In 2s both pupils hit the ball and play a rally - calling out forehand or backhand.

MAIN TECHNIQUE: Get the racket back before the ball has bounced

Get to the side of the court and behind the ball

Turn sideways and contact in front and after the top of the bounce at waist height

EASY: Pupil 2 calls but does not move to catch or hit EXT: Do the same for short and long area. Increase the size of the

court. When hitting, pupil 2 taps the ball in the air, lets it bounce and then hits.

COMPETITION:

In 4s. 2 pupils rally and call out forehand or backhand on their side of the net. 6 shots in a row correctly called out and hit

Tennis Year 3-4 Lesson 5/6

wins a cone. The other 2 pupils are judges. Judges and pupils change after every rally. COOL DOWN: Side to side ball relay

Divide pupils into even teams

Pupils stand in a line arm’s length apart

Pupils pass the ball back to the person behind turning a different way each time

The last pupil runs to the front and the relay continues until the whole team have completed the task

Emphasise stretching and big body movements

REFLECT AND EVALUATE (discussion during Cool Down) How quickly can you tell which direction the ball is going?

Is the ball rising or falling when you hit it?

What do you have to do if the ball goes very high or very low?

Tennis Year 3-4 Lesson 6/6

LESSON OBJECTIVES: Keep a rally going WARM UP: Vary the shots (middle high and low) MAIN LESSON: Play a rally RESOURCES: WARM UP: Balls, bigger balls MAIN LESSON: Balls, rackets, throw-down lines, cones WARM UP ORGANISATION: Use the width of a reduced size court or equivalent and position pupils at the side to demonstrate. Organise pupils into 2s

on a sideline .

WARM UP ACTIVITY: Without rackets Pupils move sideways facing each other 1m apart and throw a ball to each other. First they throw the ball above the head

(High), then at waist height (Middle), and then roll it along the floor (Low). Pupils continue throwing in this sequence. On

a Teacher command pupils change direction. Do the activity in 2 ways:

Throw and catch with no bounces with a big ball and 2 hands on the ball

Throw and catch with bounces with a tennis ball or sponge ball with 1 hand for throwing and 2 hands for catching

WARM UP TECHNIQUE:

Get ready with feet apart and hands ready

Work out the movement of the other pupil and send the ball ahead

Catch the ball in front of your body

EASY: Stand still and throw. Start with just high and low, and add middle. EXT: With a Mini Tennis ball with no bounces.

Add moving forwards and backwards. Throw with 2 hands on the ball and rotate the body whilst moving. 1 handed

catching and throwing. Non-dominant hand.

MAIN ACTIVITY ORGANISATION: With rackets

Define the court area and set the baseline appropriate for the ability of the pupils. Mark the centre of the baseline using a

line. Position pupils at the side of the court and demonstrate. Highlight the need to stop if another pupil gets near.

Organise pupils into 2s onto courts.

MAIN ACTIVITY – Play a Rally: In 2s, pupils rally, starting with an overarm throw or serve and between shots recover to the centre of their baseline.

Pupils count the number of consecutive hits. The first rally has an easy target of 1. When this is achieved the pupils put a

cone at the net. The next rally target is 2: when this is achieved they put another cone at the net. The next rally count is

3 and so on. So when there are 4 cones at the net, they are aiming to get 5

MAIN TECHNIQUE: Get the racket back before the ball has bounced

Hit the ball 1-2m above the net in arc shape

Show a more consistent shape of stroke

Contact the ball out in front

EASY: One hitter and 1 catcher. Catch tennis rally. Floor tennis under the net. EXT: Rally cross court. Add conditions to

the rallies, e.g. 1 pupil hits backhands only. Pupils hit alternate forehands and backhands. Pupils set their own target to

win a cone.

Tennis Year 3-4 Lesson 6/6

COMPETITION:

Cooperative: In 2s rally and count, and collect cones in a set time. Compete against other pairs.

Competitive: In 2s pupils play points. They serve alternately using an overarm serve if possible. The first point must have

at least 1 shot before they can compete. The next point must have at least 2 shots before they can compete. The next

point must start with 3 shots before they compete, and so on. The first pupil to win 5 points wins the match.

COOL DOWN / FUN ACTIVITY: Roll through the legs relay

Divide pupils into even teams

Organise the teams into even rows across a set distance

Roll a ball from the front of the row to the back

The pupil at the back catches the ball and runs to the front to send the ball down the line again

Repeat until the whole team has completed the task

Encourage – bend knees, run light and tall, balance and straight lines

REFLECT AND EVALUATE (discussion during Cool Down) How does the action relate to where the shot goes?

Why is it important to recover?

What do you think about when you want to rally consistently?