Pushing and slicing to keep it in play
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can keep a rally going with push shots and add slice to make it harder for my opponent to return.
Key learning points
- Move: pushing the ball requires a short 10-40cm jabbing action.
- Think: adding slice requires a different bat angle to simply pushing it over the net.
- Feel: aiming the ball to a target and hitting it consistently with accuracy comes with practice.
- Connect: giving feedback to other people can help support others to improve.
Keywords
Push - a passive shot with underspin to get the ball back on the table
Slice - a type of backspin where the ball spins backward and stays low
Alternate shots - to take it in turns to hit shots
Common misconception
Pupils think they need to hit the ball hard to slice effectively.
Pushing and slicing require a light touch and controlled movements, not power.
Teacher tip
The final game will differentiate the class into ability/expereince which may be where you want to group pupils in subsequent lessons so you are able to support/tailor activities to suit certain tables. Print and laminate a class set of the battle ship cards so you can use them in other lessons too.
Equipment
table tennis tables with nets (1 between 2), 1 bat each, 1 ball between 2 and 8 cards per pupil.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which is not a shot in table tennis?
Q2.If you hit the ball with your non-dominant side what is it called?
Q3.What score do you play up to in table tennis?
Q4.What is a rally?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How many times does the ball have to bounce on your side of the table before you can hit it?
Q2.What is most important when pushing the ball in a rally?
Q3.Which direction should the bat face when performing a slice shot?
Q4.What can you give to an opponent or partner to help them improve?
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Pushing and slicing to keep it in play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Pushing and slicing to keep it in play, 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.