Forehands, backhands and volleys in action
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can hit forehands, backhands and volleys.
Key learning points
- Move: sidestepping is a good way to move back and forth across the baseline.
- Move: it is more effective to hit forehands on your dominant side and backhands across your body than to run around.
- Think: hip and shoulder rotation combined with weight transfer forwards into the ball adds power.
- Feel: listening to feedback from others demonstrates self-belief.
- Connect: actively contributing and remaining engaged in group activities improves cohesion.
Keywords
Forehand - a shot made by swinging on the same side of your body as your dominant hand; the right side for right-handed players.
Backhand - a shot made by swinging the racket across your body. For right-handed players this means swinging on the left side.
Volley - hitting the ball before it bounces.
Common misconception
Pupils think they need to swing hard at volleys.
When approaching the net to volley you already have momentum moving forwards into the ball which adds power so a more effective technique is to block and sometimes even cushion the pace out of the ball whilst angling it back over the net.
Teacher tip
This lesson introduces more observation, analysis, coaching and officiating of skills and then match play so it helps to have a simple worksheet with key skills and rules of the sport available to groups.
Equipment
1 paddle per pupil; 2 pickleballs each; badminton/tennis nets; floor markers; additional materials rule sheet; worksheet for analysis
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is it called when you perform a little jump and land with your legs shoulder width apart ready to react?
Q2.What is it called when you take an extended step in to reach a ball, then push back towards the middle of the court?
Q3.What is the person who officiates a game of pickleball called?
Q4.What side of the body does a right handed player hit their backhand on?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is a good way to move back and forth across the baseline?
Q2.What is it called when you hit the ball just after it bounces?
Q3.What is having confidence in your abilities and trusting that you can achieve your goals called?
Q4.When hitting volleys, which of the following will improve accuracy?
To help you plan your 7 physical education lesson on: Forehands, backhands and volleys in action, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 physical education lesson on: Forehands, backhands and volleys in action, 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 3 physical education lessons from the Net and wall games: maintain and win a rally through pickleball unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.