Percentage play and building a rally to create openings
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can aim at different areas on the table.
Key learning points
- Move: facing the bat/paddle head in the direction you want the ball to go improves accuracy.
- Think: hitting the ball down the line makes it harder for an opponent to return.
- Feel: resisting the temptation to hit with too much power results in higher consistency
- Connect: adapting the targets to support or challenge a partner shows kindness to help them improve.
Keywords
Tactic - a planned action or strategy to gain advantage during a match
Flat - a ball with no spin
Down the line - a ball that is hit straight and parallel to the sidelines
Common misconception
Pupils believe they can just win by hitting the ball with power.
Winning in table tennis isn’t just about power as control, spin, placement and consistency are just as important. A well-placed shot forces your opponent into difficult returns and increases your accuracy in rallies.
Teacher tip
Have different sized targets available (use laminated paper) so that pupils are able to self-select their target based on their confidence or ability.
Equipment
Table tennis tables with nets (1 between 2), 1 bat each, 1 ball between 2, 8 cards per pupil and 1 A3 laminated target per pupil.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is a rally?
Q2.What type of shot makes the ball bounce backwards away from the bounce?
Q3.What might happen if you hit the ball with too much power?
Q4.Where should your bat make contact with the ball when applying topspin?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.When rallying with a partner, where is it kind to aim so they can easily hit it back?
Q2.Where is best to aim the ball to beat an opponent?
Q3.Where should your bat finish to help you be more accurate?
Q4.What is the danger of using too much power in table tennis?
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Percentage play and building a rally to create openings, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Percentage play and building a rally to create openings, 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.