New
New
Lesson 2 of 6
  • Year 5

Develop forehand (underarm shots) using rackets

I can play forehand shots with control and can hit the ball into the channels to create space and win points.

Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
  • Year 5

Develop forehand (underarm shots) using rackets

I can play forehand shots with control and can hit the ball into the channels to create space and win points.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: hitting the ball accurately into space with a forehand shot increases our chance of scoring a point.
  2. Move: being ready on our toes and looking at our opponent helps us to prepare to hit a forehand shot into space.
  3. Think: good decision making and looking for spaces on court shows we understand where to hit the forehand shot.
  4. Feel: being determined to improve and wanting to practise our forehand shot shows excellent self motivation.
  5. Connect: being respectful of the rules and always playing fairly within a game is really important.

Keywords

  • Space - an open area where your opponent isn't standing

  • Opponent - a person or team we are playing against in a game situation

  • Scoring - winning points in a game situation

Common misconception

Pupils are gaining points when they hit the ball into channels. This is only to practice creating space and pupils may think they score points in a game of tennis if they hit the ball into a channel.

It is important to provide pupils with the context of why they are aiming for channels to try and create space within the rally so they attempt to aim for one channel and then the other to move their opponent.


To help you plan your year 5 physical education lesson on: Develop forehand (underarm shots) using rackets, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

It is always useful to have different size rackets/bats/paddles and balls with different sizes and bounce levels, as many pupils struggle to control their shots with a racket and tennis ball. Making the channel width bigger and smaller is an effective way to differentiate between the courts.
Teacher tip

Equipment

1 tennis racket per pupil, 1 tennis ball per pupil (or alternative) , 30+ cones of different colours

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
If you keep striving to develop your technique, you are showing ...

Correct answer: self motivation.
self humour.
self demotivation.

Q2.
When you are in the ready position waiting for the ball, where should your racket be?

down by knees
to the side
Correct answer: up in front

Q3.
Which hand should be at the top of the racket handle in the ready position?

Correct answer: non-dominant
dominant
either

Q4.
What part of your body has to move quickly to get in the correct position to hit the ball?

hands
Correct answer: feet
fingers

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What are the areas at the side of the court called?

Correct Answer: channels

Q2.
How can you show self motivation?

Give up.
Look up.
Correct answer: Try your best.

Q3.
If we have successfully hit the ball into the left channel of the court, where should we aim our next shot?

left
Correct answer: right
to the back

Q4.
When pupils understand where to hit the ball to find space within a rally, they are demonstrating ...

good listening.
good organisation.
Correct answer: good decision making.