New
New
Lesson 5 of 6
  • Year 10

Working in pairs to workout and win

I can work effectively with a partner to communicate and cover the court.

Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
  • Year 10

Working in pairs to workout and win

I can work effectively with a partner to communicate and cover the court.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: reactions are sped up by performing a split step as the opponent hits the ball.
  2. Move: covering the court effectively requires applying advanced speed, reaction time, agility, balance and coordination.
  3. Think: applying advanced speed, reaction time, agility, balance and coordination are essential for success.
  4. Feel: established pairings have a strong sense of belonging and demonstrate self-motivation to work hard throughout.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 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...

Group pupils with similar ability to work on the same court and remember to focus on intensity of exercise as well as tennis tactics.
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 does sweating help with?

Correct answer: thermoregulation
heat gain
odour control

Q2.
What does using a wrist snap apply to the ball?

sidespin
Correct answer: downwards force
upwards force

Q3.
What movement should be performed at the net just prior to making a shot?

a sidestep
a pivot
Correct answer: a split step

Q4.
How can you maintain a high heart rate whilst waiting for your turn?

Correct answer: sideline activities
taking your pulse
deep breaths

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
In what direction is there a gap if one player is at the net and their partner is at the baseline?

straight
Correct answer: diagonal
sideways

Q2.
What movement speeds up your reaction time?

a jump stop
a side step
Correct answer: a split step

Q3.
Which of the following is least required to support court coverage?

Correct answer: strength
reaction time
agility

Q4.
What is the main advantage of working with the same partner for multiple games?

misunderstand each other
Correct answer: sense of belonging
play to weaknesses