Approach the net as a partnership
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can attack the net as a doubles pairing to deny time and space.
Key learning points
- Move: performing a split step just as your opponent hits the ball enables quick movement towards the ball for a return.
- Move: quickly advancing to the net is crucial for cutting off your opponent’s options on the court.
- Think: know that if your partner is at the net, you must join them to avoid leaving big gaps diagonally on the court.
- Feel: commitment and focus is required to fulfil the role of feeder, coach and performer.
- Connect: clear communication and decisive action is required to both be at net or both on the baseline during points.
Keywords
Split step - a small hop performed just before an opponent strikes the ball, allowing a player to be balanced and ready to move in any direction
Approach shot - a groundstroke hit with the intention of landing deep in the opponent's court, allowing the player to move forward to the net to volley
Decisive - making a decision quickly
Common misconception
Pupils don't align their court positioning and often find themselves with one player forward and one back.
If one player is at the net and one is back on the baseline, it leaves big diagonal gaps through the court so it is essential for both be at net or both be on the baseline as much as possible.
Teacher tip
Some individuals will take longer than others to pick up the basics of racket control so if they need more time and control, consider allowing some to tap the ball up to themselves before hitting it back.
Equipment
1 tennis ball per pupil; 1 tennis racket per pupil; tennis posts and nets; floor markers (lines and spots) to divide the space and create targets; small cones
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is a volley?
Q2.How much swing is required for a volley?
Q3.What type of spin keeps the ball close to the net after it goes over?
Q4.Which of the following is not required when volleying at the net?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is it called when you perform a little hop to land feet shoulder width apart, ready to respond to the next shot?
Q2.What happens if you position yourselves with 1 player at net and 1 at the baseline during doubles games?
Q3.What does it mean to be decisive?
Q4.What is the score if you are serving and have won 4 points to your opponent's 3 points?
To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Approach the net as a partnership, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Approach the net as a partnership, 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: overcome opponents in tennis challenges unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.