Tennis Year 6 – Lesson 1
Learning Objectives:
L.O 1 – To develop children’s ability to grip the racket
correctly
L.O 2 – To develop children’s ability to control the
movement of a ball with a racket
Numeracy in P.E! -
Challenge 1 – Children will be able to hit the ball in a general direction with little or no control
Challenge 2 – Children will be able to manipulate the ball with a degree of consistency keeping it
close to their body
Challenge 3 – Children will be able to control the ball with both sides of their racket with
consistency
Literacy in P.E! -
Inspiration in P.E! -
SoW Milestone Focus: 1 (Uses knowledge of the relationship between the body and exercise to improve various fitness components). 5
(Field, defend and attack tactically by anticipating the direction of play). 6 (Utilise new skills in competitive situations, as an individual or part
of a team).
Warm-Up - Pupils start jogging around the playing area avoiding each other & listening, when the teacher calls out ‘SMASH!’ the children jump into the
air and pretend to smash a shuttlecock down into the court. When the teacher calls out ‘Ready Position’ children stand in the Ready position! (see
overleaf for technique) STRETCH. Repeat.
Racket Control Challenges (Formative Assessment activity) – Ensure all of the children have a racket and a ball each in a space. Demonstrate to the
children the different challenges they children can try and master in this activity (see overleaf). Children are only allowed to move up a level when told
they are ready to do so by one of the teachers/coaches.
West or East – This activity is designed to develop the children’s ability to move effectively around the court whilst holding a racket. Ask all of the
children to form a single file line in the centre of your playing area, all facing the same way. Mark out 2 lines of cones either side of the children & call
one ‘West’, the other ‘East’. When the leading adult calls out either West or East. The children must run to that line and place the correct foot over it –
then return to their starting point! Children should place opposite feet over the line (see overleaf!)
Forehand/Backhand Accuracy - Battleships! – For battleships the children will work in pairs. They will need 5 cones for each working group, one to
mark out the hitting mark, the ‘hitter’ stands here, bounce the ball then tries to hit their ball at a ‘ship’. The other 4 create targets (or ‘ships’). Each
child has 4 lives, ‘child number 1’ must announce which colour they are aiming at. If they hit that colour with their shot, they sink the ship! It is then
‘child number 2’s’ turn to try and sink a ship. The child that sinks all 4 ships first wins! L/A take aim from closer together, replace cones with
larger targets if you need to. M/A take aim from further away!
Tennis Year 6 – Lesson 1
Teaching Points – Footwork in Tennis (Running to a shot)
If a right handed player moves to play
a forehand shot, their left foot should be furthest
forward when they hit the ball. Backhand shots
Need their right foot furthest forward upon impact.
Reverse this for left handed players!
Teaching Points – Hitting in Tennis (The basics)
Children should get used to standing
side on as they hit the ball, their should
aim to hit the ball with the centre of
the strings of the racket & push through
in a line towards where they want the ball to go!
Racket Control Challenges
Challenge 1: Hit the ball in forehand
position, bounce, hit, bounce, hit……
Challenge 2: Hit the ball in forehand
position – no bounce allowed!
Challenge 3: Hit the ball in backhand
position, bounce, hit, bounce, hit……
Challenge 4: Hit the ball in backhand
position – no bounce allowed!
West or East?
Helps the children develop their footwork when running
to their side to play a shot.
Forehand/Backhand Accuracy - Battleships!
The first child to sink all 4 ships wins!
To sink a ship a child needs to hit a ball at a cone successfully.
M/A to take aim from further away, L/A to move closer
Challenge 5: Alternate forehand &
backhand with a bounce in between……
Challenge 6: Alternate forehand &
backhand with no bounce in between!
Tennis Year 6 – Lesson 2
Learning Objectives:
L.O 1 – To develop children’s ability to grip the racket
correctly
L.O 2 – To develop children’s ability to control the
movement of a ball with a racket
Numeracy in P.E! -
Challenge 1 – Children will be able to hit the ball in a general direction with little or no control
Challenge 2 – Children will be able to manipulate the ball with a degree of consistency keeping it
close to their body
Challenge 3 – Children will be able to control the ball with both sides of their racket with
consistency
Literacy in P.E! -
Inspiration in P.E! -
SoW Milestone Focus: 1 (Uses knowledge of the relationship between the body and exercise to improve various fitness components). 5 (Field, defend and attack
tactically by anticipating the direction of play). 6 (Utilise new skills in competitive situations, as an individual or part of a team).
Warm-Up - Pupils start jogging around the playing area avoiding each other & listening, when the teacher calls out ‘SMASH!’ the children jump into the
air and pretend to smash a shuttlecock down into the court. When the teacher calls out ‘Ready Position’ children stand in the Ready position! (see
overleaf for technique) STRETCH. Repeat.
West or East –Ask all of the children to form a single file line in the centre of your playing area, all facing the same way. Mark out 2 lines of cones
either side of the children & call one ‘West’, the other ‘East’. When the leading adult calls out either West or East. The children must run to that line and
place the correct foot over it – then return to their starting point! Children should place opposite feet over the line (see overleaf!)
Forehand/Backhand Accuracy - Battleships! – For battleships the children will work in pairs. They will need 5 cones for each working group, one to
mark out the hitting mark, the ‘hitter’ stands here, bounce the ball then tries to hit their ball at a ‘ship’. The other 4 create targets (or ‘ships’). Each
child has 4 lives, ‘child number 1’ must announce which colour they are aiming at. If they hit that colour with their shot, they sink the ship! It is then
‘child number 2’s’ turn to try and sink a ship. The child that sinks all 4 ships first wins! L/A take aim from closer together, replace cones with
larger targets if you need to. M/A take aim from further away!
Wimbledon Championships - For this activity you can either mark out lines of cones to show the serving area - or hoops, slightly harder to score!
Organise the children so that they’re in two lines, facing each other with both service boxes (or hoops) in between them. The aim of the game is to
allow the ball to bounce then hit it into the box/hoop opposite – if you do, you get a point! The child with the most points at the end of the game wins,
if it is a draw then a one point ‘sudden death’ play off occurs. Winners move up the ladder to face a new opponent, losers move down to face a new
opponent! Whoever finishes at the top of the ladder is the Wimbledon Champion!
Tennis Year 6 – Lesson 2
Teaching Points – Footwork in Tennis (Running to a shot)
If a right handed player moves to play
a forehand shot, their left foot should be furthest
forward when they hit the ball. Backhand shots
Need their right foot furthest forward upon impact.
Reverse this for left handed players!
West or East?
Helps the children develop their footwork when running
to their side to play a shot.
Forehand/Backhand Accuracy - Battleships!
The first child to sink all 4 ships wins!
To sink a ship a child needs to hit a ball at a cone successfully.
M/A to take aim from further away, L/A to move closer
The Olympic Ladder
Organise the children so that they’re in two lines, facing each
other with both service boxes (or hoops) in between them.
The aim of the game is to allow the ball to bounce then hit into
the hoop that is the furthest away from them! – if you do, you get a point!
Teaching Points – Hitting in Tennis (The basics)
Children should get used to standing
side on as they hit the ball, their should
aim to hit the ball with the centre of
the strings of the racket & push through
in a line towards where they want the ball to go!
Tennis Year 6 – Lesson 3
Learning Objectives:
L.O 1 – To develop children’s ability to grip the racket
correctly
L.O 2 – To develop children’s ability to control the
movement of a ball with a racket
Numeracy in P.E! -
Challenge 1 – Children will be able to hit the ball in a general direction with little or no control
Challenge 2 – Children will be able to manipulate the ball with a degree of consistency keeping it
close to their body
Challenge 3 – Children will be able to control the ball with both sides of their racket with
consistency
Literacy in P.E! -
Inspiration in P.E! -
SoW Milestone Focus: 1 (Uses knowledge of the relationship between the body and exercise to improve various fitness components). 5 (Field, defend and attack
tactically by anticipating the direction of play). 6 (Utilise new skills in competitive situations, as an individual or part of a team).
Warm-Up - Pupils start jogging around the playing area avoiding each other & listening, when the teacher calls out ‘SMASH!’ the children jump into the
air and pretend to smash a shuttlecock down into the court. When the teacher calls out ‘Ready Position’ children stand in the Ready position! (see
overleaf for technique) STRETCH. Repeat.
Forehand/Backhand Accuracy - Battleships! – For battleships the children will work in pairs. They will need 5 cones for each working group, one to
mark out the hitting mark, the ‘hitter’ stands here, bounce the ball then tries to hit their ball at a ‘ship’. The other 4 create targets (or ‘ships’). Each
child has 4 lives, ‘child number 1’ must announce which colour they are aiming at. If they hit that colour with their shot, they sink the ship! It is then
‘child number 2’s’ turn to try and sink a ship. The child that sinks all 4 ships first wins! L/A take aim from closer together, replace cones with
larger targets if you need to. M/A take aim from further away!
Wimbledon Championships - For this activity you can either mark out lines of cones to show the serving area - or hoops, slightly harder to score!
Organise the children so that they’re in two lines, facing each other with both service boxes (or hoops) in between them. The aim of the game is to
allow the ball to bounce then hit it into the box/hoop opposite – if you do, you get a point! The child with the most points at the end of the game wins,
if it is a draw then a one point ‘sudden death’ play off occurs. Winners move up the ladder to face a new opponent, losers move down to face a new
opponent! Whoever finishes at the top of the ladder is the Wimbledon Champion!
Tap up Tennis! – Split your class into pairs and mark out a rectangle for them to play in. ‘Tap up Tennis’ will help to develop children’s ability to play a
moving ball – however the aim of this game is not to beat your opponent – you work with a partner. You must keep the ball inside the grid and
alternate whose turn it is to hit the ball. The aim of the game is to see how many times you and your partner can hit the ball before it runs out of the
grid or you lose control of it! 1 bounce for each pair, between shots allow L/A players to have 2 bounces. M/A – Smaller space to play
Tennis Year 6 – Lesson 3
Teaching Points – Footwork in Tennis (Running to a shot)
If a right handed player moves to play
a forehand shot, their left foot should be furthest
forward when they hit the ball. Backhand shots
Need their right foot furthest forward upon impact.
Reverse this for left handed players!
Teaching Points – Hitting in Tennis (The basics)
Children should get used to standing
side on as they hit the ball, their should
aim to hit the ball with the centre of
the strings of the racket & push through
in a line towards where they want the ball to go!
Forehand/Backhand Accuracy - Battleships!
The first child to sink all 4 ships wins!
To sink a ship a child needs to hit a ball at a cone successfully.
M/A to take aim from further away, L/A to move closer
The Olympic Ladder
Organise the children so that they’re in two lines, facing each
other with both service boxes (or hoops) in between them.
The aim of the game is to allow the ball to bounce then hit into
the hoop that is the furthest away from them! – if you do, you get a point!
Tap up Tennis!
Mark out a grid, 2 children in each square. The aim of the game is to see
how many times you and your partner can hit the ball before it runs out
of the grid or you lose control of it! 1 bounce for each pair, between
shots allow L/A players to have 2 bounces. M/A – Smaller space to play
M/A
Tennis Year 6 – Lesson 4
Learning Objectives:
L.O 1 – To develop children’s ability to grip the racket
correctly
L.O 2 – To develop children’s ability to control the
movement of a ball with a racket
Numeracy in P.E! -
Challenge 1 – Children will be able to hit the ball in a general direction with little or no control
Challenge 2 – Children will be able to manipulate the ball with a degree of consistency keeping it
close to their body
Challenge 3 – Children will be able to control the ball with both sides of their racket with
consistency
Literacy in P.E! -
Inspiration in P.E! -
SoW Milestone Focus: 1 (Uses knowledge of the relationship between the body and exercise to improve various fitness components). 5 (Field, defend and attack
tactically by anticipating the direction of play). 6 (Utilise new skills in competitive situations, as an individual or part of a team).
Warm-Up - Pupils start jogging around the playing area avoiding each other & listening, when the teacher calls out ‘SMASH!’ the children jump into the
air and pretend to smash a shuttlecock down into the court. When the teacher calls out ‘Ready Position’ children stand in the Ready position! (see
overleaf for technique) STRETCH. Repeat.
Wimbledon Championships - For this activity you can either mark out lines of cones to show the serving area - or hoops, slightly harder to score!
Organise the children so that they’re in two lines, facing each other with both service boxes (or hoops) in between them. The aim of the game is to
allow the ball to bounce then hit it into the box/hoop opposite – if you do, you get a point! The child with the most points at the end of the game wins,
if it is a draw then a one point ‘sudden death’ play off occurs. Winners move up the ladder to face a new opponent, losers move down to face a new
opponent! Whoever finishes at the top of the ladder is the Wimbledon Champion!
Tap up Tennis! – Split your class into pairs and mark out a rectangle for them to play in. ‘Tap up Tennis’ will help to develop children’s ability to play a
moving ball – however the aim of this game is not to beat your opponent – you work with a partner. You must keep the ball inside the grid and
alternate whose turn it is to hit the ball. The aim of the game is to see how many times you and your partner can hit the ball before it runs out of the
grid or you lose control of it! 1 bounce for each pair, between shots allow L/A players to have 2 bounces. M/A – Smaller space to play
Target Tennis – The children will now play against the child they played with in ‘Tap up Tennis’. Set up a marker the children must hit their ball behind
and scatter cones in between these two cones, the children should face each other. The children take it in turns to hit the ball (either forehand or
backhand) and aim to hit one of the cones between the two players. You keep what you hit! The child with the most cones wins! Ask your M/A
children to take aim at the cones from further away, use larger objects if possible for your L/A!
Tennis Year 6 – Lesson 4
Teaching Points – Footwork in Tennis (Running to a shot)
If a right handed player moves to play
a forehand shot, their left foot should be furthest
forward when they hit the ball. Backhand shots
Need their right foot furthest forward upon impact.
Reverse this for left handed players!
Teaching Points – Hitting in Tennis (The basics)
Children should get used to standing
side on as they hit the ball, their should
aim to hit the ball with the centre of
the strings of the racket & push through
in a line towards where they want the ball to go!
The Olympic Ladder
Organise the children so that they’re in two lines, facing each
other with both service boxes (or hoops) in between them.
The aim of the game is to allow the ball to bounce then hit into
the hoop that is the furthest away from them! – if you do, you get a point!
Tap up Tennis!
Mark out a grid, 2 children in each square. The aim of the game is to see
how many times you and your partner can hit the ball before it runs out
of the grid or you lose control of it! 1 bounce for each pair, between
shots allow L/A players to have 2 bounces. M/A – Smaller space to play
Target Tennis
The children take it in turns to hit the ball (either forehand or backhand) and
aim to hit one of the cones between the two players. You keep what you hit!
The child with the most cones wins! Ask your M/A children to take aim
at the cones from further away, use larger objects if possible for
your L/A!
M/A
Tennis Year 6 – Lesson 5
Learning Objectives:
L.O 1 – To develop children’s ability to grip the racket
correctly
L.O 2 – To develop children’s ability to control the
movement of a ball with a racket
Numeracy in P.E! -
Challenge 1 – Children will be able to hit the ball in a general direction with little or no control
Challenge 2 – Children will be able to manipulate the ball with a degree of consistency keeping it
close to their body
Challenge 3 – Children will be able to control the ball with both sides of their racket with
consistency
Literacy in P.E! -
Inspiration in P.E! -
SoW Milestone Focus: 1 (Uses knowledge of the relationship between the body and exercise to improve various fitness components). 5 (Field, defend and attack
tactically by anticipating the direction of play). 6 (Utilise new skills in competitive situations, as an individual or part of a team).
Warm-Up - Pupils start jogging around the playing area avoiding each other & listening, when the teacher calls out ‘SMASH!’ the children jump into the
air and pretend to smash a shuttlecock down into the court. When the teacher calls out ‘Ready Position’ children stand in the Ready position! (see
overleaf for technique) STRETCH. Repeat.
Tap up Tennis! – Split your class into pairs and mark out a rectangle for them to play in. ‘Tap up Tennis’ will help to develop children’s ability to play a
moving ball – however the aim of this game is not to beat your opponent – you work with a partner. You must keep the ball inside the grid and
alternate whose turn it is to hit the ball. The aim of the game is to see how many times you and your partner can hit the ball before it runs out of the
grid or you lose control of it! 1 bounce for each pair, between shots allow L/A players to have 2 bounces. M/A – Smaller space to play
Target Tennis – The children will now play against the child they played with in ‘Tap up Tennis’. Set up a marker the children must hit their ball behind
and scatter cones in between these two cones, the children should face each other. The children take it in turns to hit the ball (either forehand or
backhand) and aim to hit one of the cones between the two players. You keep what you hit! The child with the most cones wins! Ask your M/A
children to take aim at the cones from further away, use larger objects if possible for your L/A!
The longest rally! – Children are to work on half a court, 2 at a time. The longest rally is designed to allow the children to begin to develop their ability
to hit a moving ball. The rules are simples, staying on their half of a court pairs must try and see how many consecutive shots they can play to each
other before the ball bounce twice or lands out of bounds. To challenge your M/A children mark out a line which the players must stay
behind throughout the activity – larger distance will increase the level of challenge.
Tennis Year 6 – Lesson 5
Teaching Points – Footwork in Tennis (Running to a shot)
If a right handed player moves to play
a forehand shot, their left foot should be furthest
forward when they hit the ball. Backhand shots
Need their right foot furthest forward upon impact.
Reverse this for left handed players!
Teaching Points – Hitting in Tennis (The basics)
Children should get used to standing
side on as they hit the ball, their should
aim to hit the ball with the centre of
the strings of the racket & push through
in a line towards where they want the ball to go!
Tap up Tennis!
Mark out a grid, 2 children in each square. The aim of the game is to see
how many times you and your partner can hit the ball before it runs out
of the grid or you lose control of it! 1 bounce for each pair, between
shots allow L/A players to have 2 bounces. M/A – Smaller space to play
M/A
Target Tennis
The children take it in turns to hit the ball (either forehand or backhand) and
aim to hit one of the cones between the two players. You keep what you hit!
The child with the most cones wins! Ask your M/A children to take aim
at the cones from further away, use larger objects if possible for
your L/A!
The longest rally!
The longest rally is designed to allow the children to
begin to develop their ability to hit a moving ball. The
rules are simples, staying on their half of a court pairs
must try and see how many consecutive shots they can
play to each other before the ball bounces twice.
M/A children
attempt to play
rally from behind
this line!
Tennis Year 6 – Lesson 6
Learning Objectives:
L.O 1 – To develop children’s ability to grip the racket
correctly
L.O 2 – To develop children’s ability to control the
movement of a ball with a racket
Numeracy in P.E! -
Challenge 1 – Children will be able to hit the ball in a general direction with little or no control
Challenge 2 – Children will be able to manipulate the ball with a degree of consistency keeping it
close to their body
Challenge 3 – Children will be able to control the ball with both sides of their racket with
consistency
Literacy in P.E! -
Inspiration in P.E! -
SoW Milestone Focus: 1 (Uses knowledge of the relationship between the body and exercise to improve various fitness components). 5 (Field, defend and attack
tactically by anticipating the direction of play). 6 (Utilise new skills in competitive situations, as an individual or part of a team).
Warm-Up - Pupils start jogging around the playing area avoiding each other & listening, when the teacher calls out ‘SMASH!’ the children jump into the
air and pretend to smash a shuttlecock down into the court. When the teacher calls out ‘Ready Position’ children stand in the Ready position! (see
overleaf for technique) STRETCH. Repeat.
Target Tennis – The children will now play against the child they played with in ‘Tap up Tennis’. Set up a marker the children must hit their ball behind
and scatter cones in between these two cones, the children should face each other. The children take it in turns to hit the ball (either forehand or
backhand) and aim to hit one of the cones between the two players. You keep what you hit! The child with the most cones wins! Ask your M/A
children to take aim at the cones from further away, use larger objects if possible for your L/A!
The longest rally! – Children are to work on half a court, 2 at a time. The longest rally is designed to allow the children to begin to develop their ability
to hit a moving ball. The rules are simples, staying on their half of a court pairs must try and see how many consecutive shots they can play to each
other before the ball bounce twice or lands out of bounds. To challenge your M/A children mark out a line which the players must stay
behind throughout the activity – larger distance will increase the level of challenge.
(Half-court Singles matches) – Divide the class into as many courts as you have available. Each court will be divided in half to allow 4 children to play
on a court at a time. The children don’t need to win to serve, simply alternate turns to serve and whoever wins the point, gets a point! Play each game
as a ‘first to 5’. This allows for a quick turn around of players but also lets children play for a considerable length of time!
Tennis Year 6 – Lesson 6
Teaching Points – Footwork in Tennis (Running to a shot)
If a right handed player moves to play
a forehand shot, their left foot should be furthest
forward when they hit the ball. Backhand shots
Need their right foot furthest forward upon impact.
Reverse this for left handed players!
Teaching Points – Hitting in Tennis (The basics)
Children should get used to standing
side on as they hit the ball, their should
aim to hit the ball with the centre of
the strings of the racket & push through
in a line towards where they want the ball to go!
Target Tennis
The children take it in turns to hit the ball (either forehand or backhand) and
aim to hit one of the cones between the two players. You keep what you hit!
The child with the most cones wins! Ask your M/A children to take aim
at the cones from further away, use larger objects if possible for
your L/A!
The longest rally!
The rules are simples, staying on their half of a court pairs
must try and see how many consecutive shots they can
play to each other before the ball bounces twice.
Half Court Matches
Each court will be divided in half to allow 4 children to play on a court at a time.
The children don’t need to win to serve, simply alternate turns to serve and
whoever wins the point, gets a point! Play each game as a ‘first to 5’.
M/A play against M/A, L/A play against L/A