Serving and returning
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can perform a basic overarm serve to start a rally and enjoy game play.
Key learning points
- Move: throwing the ball up high and just in front of the head with the non-racket hand requires accuracy and control.
- Move: rotating the forearm and snapping the wrist helps bring the ball down into court.
- Think: understanding the importance of a continental or chopper grip to ensure control and versatility when serving.
- Feel: commitment and patience is required to learn a new and complex skill.
- Connect: working with others to practise independently in small groups supports improvement.
Keywords
Net - when the ball hits the net but goes over.
Second serve - you get two attempts to get the serve in on each point in tennis
Double fault - both serves fail to land in the court so you lose the point
Common misconception
Pupils think they have to hit the serve as hard as possible to be effective.
Placement, spin and consistency are far more important when learning to serve.
Teacher tip
Get pupils working in small groups of similar ability/expereince so they can switch partners regularly and progress to more challenging activities as soon as they are ready.
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
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Where do you place your non-dominant hand when hitting a double handed backhand?
Q2.What shape should your groundstroke swing be?
Q3.What does bilateral movement require?
Q4.To where should you move in between shots?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is least important to consistent serving?
Q2.What happens if the serve hits the net and then goes over and lands in the tramline?
Q3.What is the score if you are serving but losing 3 points to 2?
Q4.What is the best grip for control and versatility when serving?
To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Serving and returning, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Serving and returning, 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.