Doubles play in table tennis
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can work with a partner to play doubles in table tennis.
Key learning points
- Move: stepping aside after hitting the ball gives your partner space to play their shot.
- Think: taking turns to hit the ball demonstrates you’re following the correct rules.
- Feel: getting into a rhythm with your partner increases confidence.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
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
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What's the name of the serve when you throw the ball up 5-6 feet before hitting it?
Q2.What is it called when you fake, hide or delay a movement to confuse your opponent?
Q3.What is it called if you get your opponent to move one way, but hit it the other way?
Q4.Where is a good place to aim your shot to win the point?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.In table tennis, how many people play in a doubles team?
Q2.What should you do after hitting a shot in doubles?
Q3.How can you let your partner know where you are moving to?
Q4.What table tennis doubles rule must each pair follow?
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Doubles play in table tennis, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Doubles play in table tennis, 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 Net and wall games: teaching others tactics and strategies in table tennis unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.