- Year 5
Introduce backhand shots with a racket
I can play a backhand shot using a tennis racket and understand when and where to play a backhand shot in a game.
- Year 5
Introduce backhand shots with a racket
I can play a backhand shot using a tennis racket and understand when and where to play a backhand shot in a game.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Move: When hitting a backhand shot, the dominant hand should be at the bottom of the grip and the other hand above.
- Move: tracking the ball is important so we can move our feet quickly to play a forehand or backhand shot into space.
- Think: it is important to aim for space on the court to increase our chances of scoring more points than our opponent.
- Feel: trying our best even if we find the backhand technique difficult demonstrates excellent self-motivation.
- Connect: listening to feedback and congratulating our opponents when they win a point shows that we are respectful.
Keywords
Backhand - when you hit a ball with a racket with your arm across your body and the back of your hand facing the ball
Space - an open area where your opponent isn't standing
Aim - pointing or looking at something you want to hit or reach
Common misconception
Pupils may switch hands if the ball is hit towards their backhand side rather than using two hands on the racket to hit the ball. Pupils may place their dominant hand at the top of the racket handle.
Pupils should keep their dominant hand at the bottom of the racket handle for control and place their non dominant hand at the top to play a backhand shot with both hands on the grip. Explain that the hand at the bottom provides the control.
To help you plan your year 5 physical education lesson on: Introduce backhand shots with a racket, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 5 physical education lesson on: Introduce backhand shots with a racket, 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.
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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.
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
