Tennis - Lesson 6

In the sixth lesson of a Year 6 tennis programme, students are set to refine their serving techniques and gain a deeper understanding of how to score points in tennis. The lesson's objectives are aimed at enabling pupils to execute both overhead and underarm serves with increased proficiency. Additionally, they are expected to apply strategic play to win points during a game. The essential equipment for this lesson includes rackets, tennis balls, and a defined court area. The warm-up session, lasting approximately 10 minutes, focuses on starting in a balanced and sideways position behind the serving line. Students practice holding the ball near the racket face and performing a serving motion that simulates scratching the back, gradually progressing from gentle taps to more forceful hits, always finishing high with the racket after contact.

The main portion of the lesson, which spans 30 minutes, is designed for pupils who already have a basic grasp of serving, rallying, and the court layout. Students are divided into groups of four, with two playing a singles match and two observing. The observers are tasked with identifying the outcome of each point, such as whether the ball was in or out and who won the point. Variations of this activity include introducing one method of scoring at a time and playing catch tennis to simplify the game for beginners. The lesson concludes with a 10-minute cool-down involving jogging, arm circles, twists, long strides, knee hugs, and hip circles to ensure that students stretch and relax their muscles after the intense activity. The cool-down also includes a discussion on the different ways to win a point in tennis, including scenarios where a player can score without even hitting the ball.