Net and Wall Games — Tennis — Year 4 Lesson Plan
National Curriculum: PE KS2 — play competitive games, modified where appropriate, and apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending; use running, throwing and catching in isolation and in combination
Overview
Pupils develop racket skills through tennis-based activities, learning to control a ball using a forehand and backhand drive, serve into a service box, and play co-operative and competitive rallies over a net. They develop hand-eye coordination, ready position and the tactical concept of placing shots away from the opponent.
Learning Objectives
- Hit a forehand drive with a continental or eastern grip, making contact at the side of the body.
- Attempt a backhand shot, making contact in front of the body.
- Serve into the correct service box using an underarm serve.
- Play a co-operative rally of at least five shots using net-height shots.
Key Vocabulary
Suggested Lesson Structure
Pupils bounce a ball on their racket (up-juggling), then on the floor (down-juggling), alternating. Count personal best. Partner challenge: one bounces up, one catches and throws back. Shadow racket — pupils swing in slow motion (forehand then backhand) to feel the swing arc without a ball.
Forehand: side-on stance, non-racket shoulder pointing at net, take racket back, swing through making contact at side of body, follow through over shoulder. Demo then pupils hit fed balls. Backhand: same side-on but opposite shoulder to net, two-handed backhand easier for beginners, contact in front. Introduce ready position: always return to centre of baseline after each shot. Serve: stand side-on, toss ball, swing up and through. For beginners: underarm serve. Discuss placement: 'If your opponent is in the centre, where should you hit?' (To the sides.)
Co-operative rallying with a partner: count how many times you can hit the ball back and forth without it going out or into the net. Start close (3m) and gradually increase distance. Teacher feeds balls to pairs and calls out: 'Forehand ready!' or 'Backhand!' for pupils to anticipate.
Mini-game: using a short court (service box width), play a first-to-5-points match using underarm serves. After each game, switch partners. Focus: is the opponent moving? If so, you're placing well.
Cool down: arm swings, wrist rotations, gentle shoulder stretch. Ask: what is the ready position and why does it matter? Where should you aim your shot if your opponent is at the net? (Deep, into the back court.) Discuss: in tennis, unlike football, you score points from opponents' mistakes — what does that tell you about where to aim?
Common Misconceptions
- Pupils hit every ball as hard as possible — control and placement are more effective than power at this level.
- Watching the racket rather than the ball — contact point is predictable if you track the ball early.
Prior Knowledge
Pupils should already be able to:
- Sending and receiving skills from KS1.
- Experience with racket or bat activities in Year 3 games.
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