Lesson Two
Game Situation Topic: Both Back
Tactic Topic: Over and In Skill Topic: Groundstrokes
Warm Up...
THROW AND GO
• Players line up behind a marker and use a variety
of throws to pass the ball to the player in front.
• The thrower then runs to the end of the receiver’s line.
• Using both hands throw forehand side, backhand side, overhead throw.
• Stop and balance before throwing, keep head and shoulders still,
follow through with arms in front.
Quality Points...
• Keep your head up to watch your partner as well as the ball.
• Have a balanced base and light footwork.
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Secondary Schools Tennis - Teacher Resource
Traditional Delivery - Lesson Two
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Warm Up...
STEP BACK RALLIES
• Players start close to the net hitting forehands and backhands.
• With each successful hit they take a step backwards until they
reach the baseline.
• Point strings in the direction the ball is intended to go.
• Turn sideways for forehands and backhands.
Quality Points...
• Get the racket back early by turning the body.
• Increase the length of the stroke for longer shots.
• Contact the ball out in front.
• Recover and get ready between shots.
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Secondary Schools Tennis - Teacher Resource
Traditional Delivery - Lesson Two
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Main Theme One
ORGANISATION
Players
Hitter, Feeder, Collector - each player to hit 10 forehands crosscourt and swap.
Then each player to hit 10 backhands and swap.
Teacher to demonstrate a forehand and backhand crosscourt.
Safety Points
Some players may need to be closer to the net.
Collector
Feeder
Hitter
Collector
Feeder
Hitter
Quality Points...
• Balanced ready position.
• Unit turn.
• Low to high swing.
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Secondary Schools Tennis - Teacher Resource
• Change the angle of the
racket face to point strings
in the direction of the target
area (crosscourt).
Traditional Delivery - Lesson Two
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Main Theme Two
ORGANISATION
Players
Two players - working on one half of the court.
Three players - working on half a court.
Two at one end, rotate after each rally,
player at the other end stays on.
Safety Points
With more than two players use cones to
mark out safe area at the back of the court
for waiting players.
If the ball goes into the wrong half, leave it.
Four players - as per diagram.
ACTIVITIES
Five players - as per diagram with fifth player at
the side of the court skipping. All players rotate
one place to the left at the end of the rally.
Stage 1: Co-operative Activity
Six players - two groups of three.
One player by themselves the other two at the
other end, the two players rotate after each rally.
Eight players - as per diagram with a waiting
player behind each hitter, rotate after each rally.
Player 1
Player 3
Player 4
Player 2
Player 1 feeds the ball in underarm to
Player 2 and counts the length of the rally.
Stage 2: Competitive Activity
Rally of four and play out the point.
Quality Points...
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Secondary Schools Tennis - Teacher Resource
• Point strings, shoulders and hips in
the direction they want the ball to go
i.e. crosscourt.
• Stabilize wrist position with
a contact point in front.
• Control racket path in a straight line.
• Play the ball deep by aiming
higher over the net.
• Long hitting zone to control direction.
Traditional Delivery - Lesson Two
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Main Theme Three
ORGANISATION
Players
Two players - working on one half of the court.
Three players - working on half a court.
Two at one end, rotate after each rally,
player at the other end stays on.
Safety Points
With more than two players use cones to
mark out safe area at the back of the court
for waiting players.
If the ball goes into the wrong half, leave it.
Four players - as per diagram.
ACTIVITIES
Five players - as per diagram with fifth
player at the side of the court skipping.
All players rotate one place to the left
at the end of the rally.
Stage 1: Co-operative Activity
Six players - two groups of third. One player
by themselves the other two at the other end,
the two players rotate after each rally.
Eight players - as per diagram with a
waiting player behind each hitter, rotate
after each rally.
Player 1
Player 3
Player 4
Player 2
Players to rally and try to keep the
ball past the service line.
Players must hit only forehands/backhands
and must recover to relevant area
(just left or right of centre).
Stage 2: Competitive Activity
Rally of four and play out the point.
Quality Points...
• Control racket path in a straight line.
• Stabilize wrist position with a contact
point in front.
• Long hitting zone to control direction.
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Secondary Schools Tennis - Teacher Resource
• Play the ball deep by aiming higher
over the net.
• Point Strings, shoulders and hips in
the direction they hit the ball to go
i.e. crosscourt.
Traditional Delivery - Lesson Two
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Competition
Harder to Easier Drills: Both Back
HARD ACTIVITY
Players must make their opponent step
outside the doubles tramlines.
One or both players must stay inside the
baseline and take the ball early to take time
away from their opponent.
Players must rally keeping the ball past the
service line.
Differentiation - One player must hit past
the service line, the other can hit anywhere
in the court.
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Secondary Schools Tennis - Teacher Resource
EASIER ACTIVITY
All practices can be made easier by
using green, orange or red balls.
Player 1 feeds the ball in from the baseline
and rallies cross court with Player 2.
Player 1 feeds ball in from baseline and
the ball may bounce twice inside the court area.
One player feeds and the other hits.
Both players throw and catch.
Player 1
Player 3
Player 4
Player 2
Traditional Delivery - Lesson Two
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Secondary Schools Tennis - Teacher Resource
Traditional Delivery - Lesson Two
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