New
New
Lesson 6 of 6
  • Year 10

Challenging the body and brain to the max

I can perform with precision even when working towards exhaustion.

Lesson 6 of 6
New
New
  • Year 10

Challenging the body and brain to the max

I can perform with precision even when working towards exhaustion.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: intensity of movement and endurance is shown to last during repeated long rallies and exercise routines.
  2. Think: progressive overload enables you to train harder and improve fitness whilst minimising the risk of injury.
  3. Feel: enjoyment comes from combining intense exercise with the precision of fine motor skills.
  4. Connect: covering the court as a trio can reveal creative solutions to win points.

Keywords

  • Exhaustion - a state of extreme physical and mental fatigue caused by prolonged physical exertion or inadequate recovery

  • Precision - executing movements or actions with high accuracy and consistency

  • Progressive overload - working harder than normal to achieve a fitness benefit

Common misconception

Pupils give up when training gets tough rather than pushing themselves closer to exhaustion.

To get a fitness benefit, it is essential to work your body harder than it is used to and hence a little discomfort is necessary to improve. This is often referred to as no pain, no gain.


To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Challenging the body and brain to the max, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Remember to repeat popular lessons that result in enjoyment and high intensity exercise as the focus of cardio tennis is on fitness gains, which take time and repeated training to achieve.
Teacher tip

Equipment

a tennis racket each, a bucket of balls per court (ideally low compression), tennis posts and nets, mini whiteboards and pens, music

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What is it called when you jump to land on both feet about shoulder width apart ready to respond to the next shot?

Correct answer: split step
jump step
a wide stance

Q2.
Why should you perform a split step just as your opposition hit the ball

increase strength
Correct answer: speed up reactions
improve coordination

Q3.
What court orientation should you avoid in tennis?

both at net
both at baseline
Correct answer: front and back

Q4.
What skill prevents clashing rackets when a shot is hit down the middle of the court?

Correct answer: good communication
both leaving it
hit backhand only

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
What is required to last long rallies?

speed
strength
Correct answer: endurance

Q2.
What do you call a gradual increase in intensity so you work harder than you are used to?

reversibility
overuse
Correct answer: progressive overload

Q3.
What is the impact of giving up or reducing effort levels when exercise gets tough?

Correct answer: no fitness gains
enhanced endurance
win more points

Q4.
Which of the following does not contribute to precision?

repeated practice
improved muscle memory
Correct answer: moving whilst hitting