Tennis - Lesson 5

In the fifth lesson of a Year 4 tennis programme, students are set to enhance their ability to anticipate the ball's direction and position themselves effectively for a return shot. The learning objectives are clearly defined: pupils should be able to predict the ball's landing spot, return the ball using a racket, and engage in a short rally. The success of the lesson is measured by these criteria. Key tennis terms such as forehand, backhand, hit, position, and return are introduced and reinforced throughout the session. Essential equipment for the lesson includes tennis balls, throw down lines, and rackets.

The lesson structure comprises a ten-minute warm-up where pupils practice catching and throwing the ball across the court, incorporating a variety of throws to simulate tennis strokes. The main activity, lasting thirty minutes, involves dividing the court and having pupils pair up to practice receiving and returning the ball using their rackets, while calling out the anticipated stroke type. The key teaching point emphasizes the importance of racket preparation and positioning. A competitive element is introduced where teams can earn cones for successful rallies, with designated pupils serving as judges. The session concludes with a ten-minute cool-down focused on stretching and teamwork through a side-to-side ball relay. The lesson aims to improve pupils' reaction times and their ability to judge the trajectory of the ball, essential skills for playing tennis.