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Lesson 5 of 6
  • Year 11

Doubles play in table tennis

I can work with a partner to play doubles in table tennis.

Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
  • Year 11

Doubles play in table tennis

I can work with a partner to play doubles in table tennis.

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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: stepping aside after hitting the ball gives your partner space to play their shot.
  2. Think: taking turns to hit the ball demonstrates you’re following the correct rules.
  3. Feel: getting into a rhythm with your partner increases confidence.
  4. Connect: demonstrating communication through a shared goal is key to effective teamwork and success in a game.

Keywords

  • Doubles - playing as a pair to form a team partnership

  • Alternate shots - each player on a team must take turns hitting the ball during a rally, so that both partners are involved in every point

  • Positioning - moving effectively to give your partner space to hit the ball

Common misconception

In doubles, players should stand on the left and right and just hit the ball on their side (like tennis or badminton).

In doubles in table tennis, players have to hit alternate shots which means once you have hit the ball, you need to move out of the way so your partner can hit the next shot. Just standing on sides will make it difficult to play alternate shots.


To help you plan your year 11 physical education lesson on: Doubles play in table tennis, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to plan partners based on ability/expereince to create areas for pupils of similar ability/expereince to work together so you are give more focus to those who need more support pupils, or perhaps keep them in mixed groups.
Teacher tip

Equipment

table tennis tables with nets (1 between 2), 1 bat each, 1 ball between 2.

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's the name of the serve when you throw the ball up 5-6 feet before hitting it?

sidespin
Correct answer: high toss
topspin

Q2.
What is it called when you fake, hide or delay a movement to confuse your opponent?

Correct answer: deception
backspin
power hit

Q3.
What is it called if you get your opponent to move one way, but hit it the other way?

wrong timing
Correct answer: wrong footed
wrong handed

Q4.
Where is a good place to aim your shot to win the point?

down the middle
Correct answer: down the line
in front

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
In table tennis, how many people play in a doubles team?

Correct answer: 2
3
4

Q2.
What should you do after hitting a shot in doubles?

hit next one
add spin
Correct answer: move out

Q3.
How can you let your partner know where you are moving to?

Correct Answer: communicate, communication, tell them, speak to them

Q4.
What table tennis doubles rule must each pair follow?

hit powerful shots
Correct answer: hit alternate shots
hit serves with spin