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: to play a controlled shot, our dominant hand should be at the bottom of the grip.
- Move: tracking the ball and moving our feet so the ball lands on our forehand side improves the accuracy of shots.
- Think: evaluating our own/partners forehand performance will help improve our control and accuracy.
- Feel: continuing to try and improve our performance throughout the lesson demonstrates self motivation.
- Connect: working together with our opponents and listening to others shows we understand the importance of respect.
Keywords
Forehand - a shot in which the palm of your hand faces the direction in which you are hitting the ball
Backhand - when you hit a ball with a racket with your arm across your body and the back of your hand facing the ball
Accuracy - the ability to control where we hit an object
Common misconception
Pupils hit their shots too hard and the ball travels out of court. Pupils do not return to the ready position after every shot. Pupils struggle to rally when the ball can only bounce once.
Encourage pupils to follow through on their swing to develop more control over the shot. Remind pupils to return to the middle and be in the ready position after every shot. Allow pupils to continue to rally even when the ball bounces twice.
Teacher tip
It is always useful to have different size rackets/bats/paddles (short handles) and different sized balls as many pupils struggle to control their shots with a racket and tennis ball. If pupils cannot rally cooperatively, ask one pupil to throw the ball instead of both pupils using a racket.
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.What do we call the position we get into when waiting to receive the ball?
Q2.What is it called when we hit the ball back and forth in games such as tennis?
Q3.If we hit the target, what are we showing?
Q4.If we listen to others and work well together, what are we showing?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.At the end of the forehand shot, where should the racket be pointing?
Q2.If you continue to try and improve throughout the lesson what are you demonstrating?
Q3.If we evaluate our own and our partners performance when hitting shots, what can we improve?
Q4.What happens if you hit the ball out of the lines within the court?
To help you plan your 5 physical education lesson on: 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: 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.