Develop forehand (underarm shots) using rackets
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can play forehand shots with control and can hit the ball into the channels to create space and win points.
Key learning points
- Move: hitting the ball accurately into space with a forehand shot increases our chance of scoring a point.
- Move: being ready on our toes and looking at our opponent helps us to prepare to hit a forehand shot into space.
- Think: good decision making and looking for spaces on court shows we understand where to hit the forehand shot.
- Feel: being determined to improve and wanting to practise our forehand shot shows excellent self motivation.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
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
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.If you keep striving to develop your technique, you are showing ...
Q2.When you are in the ready position waiting for the ball, where should your racket be?
Q3.Which hand should be at the top of the racket handle in the ready position?
Q4.What part of your body has to move quickly to get in the correct position to hit the ball?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What are the areas at the side of the court called?
Q2.How can you show self motivation?
Q3.If we have successfully hit the ball into the left channel of the court, where should we aim our next shot?
Q4.When pupils understand where to hit the ball to find space within a rally, they are demonstrating ...
To help you plan your 5 physical education lesson on: Develop forehand (underarm shots) using rackets, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 physical education lesson on: Develop forehand (underarm shots) using rackets, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 2 physical education lessons from the Net and wall games: tactics to overcome an opponent through tennis unit, dive into the full primary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.