3 lesson plans covering the application
of a tennis unit within a school, utilising
the three different stages Red, Orange and
Green
Applied
Movement
Analysis
Tennis Unit
Emma Doyle
Steve Clogstoun
S9303683
Stage of Development: Red stage (Explore 4-7 years)
Focus of session:
Technical (Teaching Points “Cues”)

Forehand
o Belly Side on
o Open the door
o Close The Door
Tactical

Looking to encourage the students to perform a number shots continuously to form a rally.
Psycho-social-physical

To allow students to have a try at the activities but also to encourage the younger students to
participate in the games with the other students
Activity 1(Warm-up): Line run / Opposites Game
Aim: To warm up the students and also introduce quick movements utilized in a game of Tennis. This will
also help address the cognitive thinking patterns of young children
Time: 5 Mins
Equipment: None needed unless you are in an area which has no lines on the floor. In this case place cones
as gates around the area. Students can complete their activity between the cones
Description (include role of coach):

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
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Red is up and down.
Yellow is Monkey split (Ready Position).
Green is side to side
Jump means squat. (Visa Versa)
Forward = back. (Visa Versa)
Students are lined up on the sideline
They are to run to the other side line
When they cross a colored line mentioned above
They will complete the action required
Modification;

Change the game and call out a movement but the students must complete the opposite. Make
sure coach directs
 The exact movements they would like completed. Coach can select Any movements they would
like
Questions to ask:


Why do we do monkey split position in a Game?
When we warm up why do we do a range of different movements?
1
ACTIVITY 2: TENNIS STATIONS
Aim : To teach and encourage new games related to tennis


Split class into 2 teams (Use Split groups by blind fold and jump to a side.)
Once teams are established, get students from their team to form 3 even groups
Time: 10 mins
Station 1 : T-Rex Tennis
Equipment:
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

Red Tennis balls x 20
Police tape
Nets and if required portable nets
Description (include role of coach):
Teaching points
1. Standing side on in preparatory stage
2. Rotate the body when throwing and following through
Description
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



Students start in pairs on either side of a mini tennis court
Using a volley ball students will throw the ball over the net either on their left or right side
Their elbows will be kept next to their sides (similar to a T-Rex)
Once thrown that person will rotate fully to the opposite side where their partner will give them a
normal “Double High 5” where a change over of throwers will occur
The receiving team must catch the ball and throw it from that point of the court
Role of the Coach
1.
2.
3.
4.
To give clear instruction of how to perform the activities
Use a group of students to explain and visually show how to complete each task
Give specific feedback to each student when required.
Direct instruction will be utlised here
Questions to ask:
1.
2.
3.
Why do we lock our elbows in and don’t allow them to move during the game?
Did you work as a team with your partner? If so how?
Which side didn’t you find easier or harder to do?
2
Station 2 : Keepings off
Equipment
1.
2.
Set of sashes
Red tennis ball
Description (include role of coach):



Working as team in half of a tennis ball
One team tries to complete 10 successful passes or
Keep possession for a designated time period
Modifications
1.
2.
3.
4.
Defending can be 3 feet
Person can’t move once ball is caught
Person can take up to 2 steps then must pass
Have a time limit on the amount of time before throwing
Role of the Coach
1.
2.
3.
4.
To give clear instruction of how to perform the activities
Use a group of students to explain and visually show how to complete each task
Give specific feedback to each student when required.
Direct instruction used here but encouragement of decision making during activities by students
Questions asked
1.
2.
3.
What did you have to do when the ball was being kept from you?
Where did you move to receive the ball when you were looking for a pass
Did you sidestep and run and jump when you played? What skill did you use the most?
3
Station 3: Snake Tunnel Ball
Aim : A variation of Tunnel ball and T-Rex game where student are encouraged to complete side stepping
and rotation of the body
Equipment :
1.
2.
Red Tennis balls x 20
Rubber / ½ size soccer balls x 6
Description (include role of coach):
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Set up one person standing in front of the other group members
They will roll the ball threw the legs of the team lined up
Encourage the side step, so ball will be rolled at an angle
Once last person gets the ball they run to the front
and process with T-Rex Tennis throwing
the ball backhand and forehand
Repeat steps a to d till everyone has had a turn
Modification:
1.
2.
Make it a race
Change the size of the ball
Role of the Coach




To give clear instruction of how to perform the activities
Use a group of students to explain and visually show how to complete each task
Give specific feedback to each student when required.
Direct instruction used here but encouragement of decision making during activities by students
Questions asked


What was the hardest thing to do during this activity
Did you have to keep your eye on the ball, what happened when you didn’t?
4
Activity 3: Card Tennis
Aim : Practicing the continuation of Striking to create a Rally
Time: 15 mins
Equipment:
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



Tennis racquets x 25
Red Tennis ball (lower bouncing balls)
Full basketball Court
Portable Tennis nets
Pack of Jumbo cards
Where to place ½ a deck of playing cards
Description (include role of coach):





Place half a deck of cards on either side of the nets
Teams are split in half court each and asked to pair up
Alternatively one of the pair picks up a card
Read Teacher directions in teachers directions
After completion the other partner grabs a card and
repeat the process until all cards have been selected
Role of the coach
Give instructions to students
Black = back hand. Red = forehand.
Number on card = number of rallies. (Red ball) in partners.
Questions to ask:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Did you remember the teachers instructions when playing
Did you find it easier or harder when playing a competitive game
Which side was harder, forehand or backhand
Do you feel like you worked together as a team
5
Activity 4: “Scream” and Hit
Aim: for students to call out the pattern of the sequence to utlise and improve their cognitive thinking, coordination and concentration
Time: 15 mins
Equipment:
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


Set of tennis racquets x 25
Red Tennis balls x 30
Police tape
Portable nets
Description (include role of coach):

Students now will pair up with someone from the
opposite team that was formed at the start of the class

Teacher will demonstrate a pattern blow
that the partners must complete
Patterns
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
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Throw - bounce - hit - bounce - catch. (Partners. 5 each)
Throw - bounce - trap on ground - flick up with foot - hit - bounce – catch
2 rackets. Thrower says number of bounces. Catches between the 2 rackets. Stand side on and drop
the ball and hit it over the net. Bounce and catch.
Role of the coach
Use Teaching point Analogies’
 Open the Door
 Close the Door
 Monkey Split (preparatory Position to receive a serve or a stroke in tennis)
 Direct instruction used here but encouragement of decision making during activities by students

Questions to ask:
1.
2.
3.
Did you remember the sequence that you had to complete
Was it easier to “scream” out what you were going to do
Was it easier calling out to help you prepare for your shot
6
Stage of Development : Orange Stage
Focus of session:
1.
2.
3.
Technical Review and continue “RallyTheme”
Introduce Backhand and Forehand Stroke
Introduce competitive and co operative play
Tactical
Putting together a series of shots to create a rally to attempt to successful win a point.
Psycho-social-physical
To continue to show and develop respect for the opponent and sportsmanship throughout and after a
match. For example shaking hands after each game is complete
Activity 1(Warm-up): Line run / Opposites Game
Aim: To warm up the students and also introduce quick movements utilized in a game of Tennis. This will
also help address the cognitive thinking patterns of young children
Time: 5-7 Mins
Equipment: None needed unless you are in an area which has no lines on the floor. In this case place cones
as gates around the area. Students can complete their activity between the cones
Description (include role of coach):









Red is up and down.
Yellow is Monkey split (Ready Position).
Green is side to side
Jump means squat. (Visa Versa)
Forward = back. (Visa Versa)
Students are lined up on the sideline
They are to run to the other side line
When they cross a colored line mentioned above
They will complete the action required
Modification;
Change the game and call out a movement but the students must complete the opposite. Make sure coach
directs The exact movements they would like completed. Coach can select Any movements they would like
7
Game 2 : Speed racer
Aim : To teach control of the ball on the racquet
Equipment :


Racquets x 25
Red Balls x 25
Description:
 All students will attempt to roll the ball around the edge of the racquet and then attempt to park or
stop the ball at the base of the head of the racquet
Questions to ask:


Why do we do monkey split position in a Game?
When we warm up why do we do a range of different movements?
8
Activity 2: Freeze Tennis
Aim: to allow practice of the Forehand and backhand strokes
Time : 15 mins
Equipment:




Set of tennis racquets x 25
Red Tennis balls x 30
Police tape
Portable nets
Description
1.
2.
Freeze tennis :
a. Student will freeze after they hit their shot
b. They can then move once the ball has bounced
c. Normal rally will occur
2 Point Freeze Tennis
a. Aim : to encourage and learn to win two points in a row in tennis
b. If a student misses a shot they will start the rally again by dropping the ball and hitting the
ball again attempting to win the point
c. Rally will continue if opponent gets the ball back
Role of the Coach
5.
6.
7.
8.
To give clear instruction of how to perform the activities
Use a group of students to explain and visually show how to complete each task
Give specific feedback to each student when required.
Set up required equipment for games and give clear directions for rotations throughout game play
Note : If teams have been established, separate teams and have matches. Getting one team to move right to
start rotations.
Use the “Peg Idea” to keep track of score : Have a set of Pegs (20 blue and 20 Red) and 2 buckets. When one
team wins they will place a peg into their bucket. Team with the most pegs wins
Questions to ask:
1.
2.
3.
Did you shake hands after each game and thank them for playing them
Were you repeating the teaching point cues in your head
Did you have to run a lot through out the game? Do you think this helps you get “Fit”
9
Activity 3: “Traffic Lights”
Time : 10 Mins
Aim : to introduce the concept of Decision making by players and understanding where they place the ball to
win a point
Equipment:
 Set of tennis racquets x 25
 Orange Tennis balls x 30
 Police tape
 Portable nets
 Set of cones (red, orange and Green) x 10
Description
 Each pair will play a rally
 Every time the ball bounces near a cone they will call out the colour
 Best to use an orange ball for this activity then progress to green
1.
2.
Students will have to hit to each of the cones they nominate before striking the ball
Match play ; The students can only win via a volley (green cone)
Progression Activity : US open Match Point
a. After a person loses a point they will hit the ball into play and run to the net (Green cone)
b. They will have a chance to win the next point but only via a successful volley
c. If that person at the net wins the point its worth 2
Role of the Coach




To give clear instruction of how to perform the activities
Use a group of students to explain and visually show how to complete each task
Give specific feedback to each student when required.
Set up required equipment for games and give clear directions for rotations throughout game play
Questions to ask:

Did having the cones make it easier for you to understand the game of tennis and where to make
shot
10
Activity 4: “Tie Break” Card Tennis
Time: 10 mins
Aim: to Introduce Tie Breakers and the concept behind it. First to 7 with a 2 point advantage. In this case we
will play to 7.
Equipment:




Set of tennis racquets x 25
Red Tennis balls x 30
Police tape
Portable nets
Description (include role of coach):
Same Formation as Freeze Tennis
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The set of cards are used to determine the score
The pairs will start when they play
Take out all the cards from 7 up.
Keep ace in deck, this counts as one.
Pairs will select a card each.
Eg: if 4 and 1 are selected that’s the score that will start at
First player to 7 wins
If the player who starts at a lower score wins they will get two points for their win instead of one
Use Peg Theory to keep score

Role of Teacher
To encourage and reinforce the teaching points
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


Forehand (Orange Stage)
Over the rainbow
Step forward
Under the rainbow
Monkey Split (preparatory Position to receive in tennis)
Backhand(Orange Stage)
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


Park the Car
Swing back to pocket
Swing up
Teacher will be holding the cards
They will take control and reinforce how many points each of the students are on at the start of their game
Questions to ask




Did you remember the teachers instructions when playing
Did you find it easier or harder when playing a competitive game
Which side was harder, forehand or backhand
Did you understand the concept of the tie break
11
Activity 5: Game Play: Round Robin Mini Tennis
Time: 10 mins
Equipment:
 Set of tennis racquets x 25
 Red Tennis balls x 30
 Police tape
 Portable nets

Description




Start a round robin tournament, 1 vs 1 game that will go for 2 minutes. Best score wins
3 hits to start the game.
Have Two cones set up (make sure that they have holes in the top), have a set of pegs.
Winner gets a peg and puts in a cone. Rotate around the players with one team not moving.
Role of Teacher
Time: 10 mins


Time: 10 mins
To encourage and reinforce the teaching points
Forehand (Orange Stage)





Over the rainbow
Step forward
Under the rainbow
Monkey Split (preparatory Position to receive in tennis)
Backhand(Orange Stage)



Park the Car
Swing back to pocket
Swing up
 Did you remember the teachers instructions when playing
 Did you find it easier or harder when playing a competitive game
 Which side was harder, forehand or backhand
Questions to ask:
1.
2.
Have you felt that your game is getting better
How many hits are you completing in a rally
12
Stage of Development: Green Stage
Focus of session: The Serve
Technical
Red Ball (have this available for students at a lower level of understanding)
1.
2.
3.
Ready : point at target with racquet
Aim : salute your friend
Fire : hit shot at highest point (12pm on the clock) and follow through
Green Ball
1.
2.
3.
4.
Ready: same position with racquet in front and standing on the side
Nike symbol position : wider stance in preparatory phase of stroke
Swoosh stroke : follow through making a “swoosh” noise at the highest point when striking the ball
Finish with the racquet to opposite pocket
Tactical

Understand how to place a ball into an area of the court for tactical purposes

How to rally crosscourt in a competitive game of tennis

Understand how to play as a team in doubles tennis including moving on the court
Psycho-social-physical
To encourage students to participate in a game that may be foreign to them. Also to interact with other
students , forming teams, developing winning strategies and a good attitude to playing sport
13
Activity 1(Warm-up): Throw tennis
Time: 10 mins
Equipment:
1.
2.
3.
Nets and Portable Nets
20 cones
20 Green & 20 Red Balls
Description (include role of coach):




In pairs replicate a tennis match using half court,
but throwing and catching the ball instead of hitting
All normal tennis rules are in play incl: points system
The person receiving must catch the ball off
one bounce or on the full then return
Play to best of 3 games or time limit
Progression
1.
Encourage the monkey stance after each throw
(preparatory receiving position)
Role of The Coach
1.

2.
3.
To describe the teaching points of the game incl:
KTP’s of the throw
o Eyes focused at your target.
o Using the T stance that we want for the proper throwing action.
o Point at your target.
o Step towards target with opposite foot to throwing arm
Move around the class giving specific feedback and encouragement
Rotate the students after two minutes
Questions to ask:
1.
2.
3.
What was your strategy when playing this game
Did you see any resemblance to a tennis game? If so what were they?
Can you see resembling throws imitating tennis strokes? What were they and discuss with group
and teacher?
14
Activity 2: The Serve
Time: 10 mins
Equipment:




Set of tennis racquets x 25
Red Tennis balls x 30
Police tape
Portable nets
Description (include role of coach)




Select your pairs and set them up as the diagram
Reinforce teaching points of the serve using Red and Green Ball
Start with students on the service box then when satisfied
allow students to drop back to base line
Make sure students work cross court
1.
Using the green Ball



Apply green ball teaching points
Change the direction to pairs playing cross court
First to five points. Play faults in serve
Modification
If student is struggling with the serve, play an underarm serve to the service box and encourage striking into
the service box and starting a rally
Role of the Coach

Teacher will reinforce the teaching points below and give specific feedback to each of the students
Green Ball




Ready: same position with racquet in front and standing on the side
Nike symbol position : wider stance in preparatory phase of stroke
Swoosh stroke : follow through making a “swoosh” noise at the highest point when striking the ball
Finish with the racquet to opposite pocket

Attend to and co ordinate rotations between courts
Questions to ask:
1.
2.
3.
At what point should the ball be hit on the serve
In this case how high should you throw the ball up in the air
Why do we have the stand the way we do to commence a serve
15
Activity 3: Team Vs Team : Race Against the clock
Time :10 mins
Equipment:




Set of tennis racquets x 25
Red Tennis balls x 30
Police tape
Portable ne
Description
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Place cones (red and blue)
up either end of the courts,
3 metres behind the base line.
Split teams (Left and Right drill)
Red cones servers
Players will play normal tennis rules
try and win max two points
Serving team amount of points won
choose a peg and place in a bucket
Rotate to left on to new court
5 minutes limit to see how many pegs at the end.
Switch sides
Modifications
1.
2.
Change ball
If two fault serves encourage an underarm serve
Role of the Coach
9.
10.
11.
12.
To give clear instruction of how to perform the activities
Use a group of students to explain and visually show how to complete each task
Give specific feedback to each student when required.
Set up required equipment for games and give clear directions for rotations throughout game play
Questions to ask
1.
2.
3.
When you played a game what shots did you use to win a point (Long, short shots)
If the ball was hit deeper how did you get it back to your opponent
Where did you aim your serve to win a point
16
Activity 4 : Facebook the match beyond
Aim : Encourage the serve and to introduce the concept of doubles tennis
Time : 10 mins
Equipment:




Set of tennis racquets x 25
Red Tennis balls x 30
Police tape
Portable nets
Description
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pick teams of three
Number the students 1,2,3
Start normal tennis game
Whoever wins the point,
brings a partner onto the court becoming 2 vs 1
Two ways of winning
1.
2.
Getting three people on the court first and win the next point after this has occurred
Winning a point to eliminate players advantage. 1 vs 3, if one wins , 2 of the 3 go off and it starts
again
Role of the Coach




To give clear instruction of how to perform the activities
Use a group of students to explain and visually show how to complete each task
Give specific feedback to each student when required.
Set up required equipment for games and give clear directions for rotations throughout game play
Questions to ask


Was it easier when you played doubles? What were some of the things you had to do to
make the team work well
When you played by yourself against 2 or 3 people what did you do to try and win the
point
17
Activity 5 : Tennis / Volleyball ; “Triple Threat”
Aim : To encourage Team work and indirect teaching skills to solve a problem or create a strategy to win a
point.
Description
Set up teams of three
Rules










Main rule : When the ball comes to a complete stop, hit into the net or bounces outside the
designated lines on the full point is awarded to other team
The ball must land at least once in the court
All areas of the playing area are in play after this, including walls
People must keep the ball moving at all times.
This can be done by flicking up or striking
No part of the hands or feet can be used
The ball must be hit a maximum of three times before being hit over the net.
A Player can’t hit the ball twice in play on their side
The ball can bounce as many times but must at least bounce the first time inside the court
designated.
First team to 10 with a 2 point advantage wins
Role of Teacher

To encourage the students into how to utilize teamwork,
Space and clear communication during competition



To reinforce previous teaching points (forehand and backhand)
Ask questions of the students of how they are winning points
Encourage other students ways they can try to win points
Questions to ask:
1.
2.
3.
Have you felt that your game is getting better
How many hits are you completing in a rally
Are you using all your players on your team to create a better shot or just hitting into space
18