Tennis - Unit Overview

The Year 6 Tennis unit provides a comprehensive overview of key tennis skills, aimed at enhancing students' abilities on the court. This unit is structured to progressively develop various aspects of the game, starting with the fundamental techniques of serving and returning serves, to mastering footwork and positioning. The lessons are designed to build on the foundational tennis skills that students learned at the age of 8-9, ensuring a continuity in their learning journey. The unit emphasizes the importance of recovery after shots and the ability to sustain a cooperative rally, which are crucial for effective gameplay.

Each lesson within the unit has clear learning objectives and success criteria. For instance, the first lesson concentrates on ball control and rallying, with success being measured by the students' ability to execute forehand and backhand shots and engage in rallies within a competitive context. As the unit progresses, students work on refining their underarm and overhead serves, improving their footwork for returning serves, and learning the strategic elements of scoring points. Teaching tips included in the overview suggest that instructors should model skills, tailor the pace of progression to individual needs, and ensure that the lessons accommodate the time available, including time for students to change before and after the lesson.