Working in pairs to workout and win
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can work effectively with a partner to communicate and cover the court.
Key learning points
- Move: reactions are sped up by performing a split step as the opponent hits the ball.
- Move: covering the court effectively requires applying advanced speed, reaction time, agility, balance and coordination.
- Think: applying advanced speed, reaction time, agility, balance and coordination are essential for success.
- Feel: established pairings have a strong sense of belonging and demonstrate self-motivation to work hard throughout.
- Connect: when the ball is hit down the middle, effective communication is essential to decide who is best to hit it.
Keywords
Communication - exchanging information between players, coaches and officials via verbal and non-verbal means
Poaching - the net player moves across to hit a shot intended for their partner
Decision making - the process of selecting the best course of action from multiple options
Common misconception
Pupils choose to play with one player at the net and their partner at the back of the court.
Splitting front and back leaves a huge gap diagonally through your court that the opposition can exploit.
Teacher tip
Group pupils with similar ability to work on the same court and remember to focus on intensity of exercise as well as tennis tactics.
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
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What does sweating help with?
Q2.What does using a wrist snap apply to the ball?
Q3.What movement should be performed at the net just prior to making a shot?
Q4.How can you maintain a high heart rate whilst waiting for your turn?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.In what direction is there a gap if one player is at the net and their partner is at the baseline?
Q2.What movement speeds up your reaction time?
Q3.Which of the following is least required to support court coverage?
Q4.What is the main advantage of working with the same partner for multiple games?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Working in pairs to workout and win, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Working in pairs to workout and win, 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 4 physical education lessons from the Health and wellbeing: cardio tennis unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.