Primary School Handbook

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TENNIS any
age
primary schools tennis Teacher’s Handbook
Primary Schools Tennis - Teacher’s Handbook
welcome
contents
This resource brings you
five weeks of tennis lessons
for children aged 4-7 years,
7-9 years and 9-11 years.
Handbook for Teachers 4
The DVD Menu 5
The Lessons 6
Setting Up 7
Ages 4-7 years

Lesson 1: The Forehand 8
Lesson 3: The Volley 34
Lesson 4: The Serve 50
Lesson 5: The Festival 62
Ages 7-9 years

Lesson 2: The Backhand 86
Lesson 5: Matchplay 120
Ages 9-11 years

Lesson 2: The Backhand 138
Lesson 5: Matchplay 172
3
Handbook the DVD

for Teachers Menu screen
The lessons for each age group are on
separate discs in the DVD box set. Each age
group also has its own section in this handbook. Introduction ages 4-7 Years
This section is an introduction to the
[England/Wales: Rec Y1 & Y2, Scotland: P1 & P2]
DVD for teachers. It explains why the INTrODUCTION

DVD has been developed and gives a
INCLUsION
Teach tennis with confidence preview of its contents. Please watch
this introduction without the children TasTer/asseMBLY
This innovative teaching support has been developed
before you start the lessons.
to empower primary school teachers to deliver tennis LessONs
with confidence. It demonstrates how tennis can be
taught to 30 mixed-ability pupils in a school hall. Inclusion
This section is also for teachers.
It demonstrates how the contents of ages 4-7 Years
Demonstrating the activities [England/Wales: Rec Y1 & Y2, Scotland: P1 & P2]
the DVD can be adapted for children

Some teachers may be concerned that they do INTrODUCTION
who are less able or have additional
not have the necessary skills to teach some of the
learning needs. Please watch this INCLUsION
more complex tennis activities. We have recruited
introduction without the children
one of the country’s leading schools tennis coaches TasTer/asseMBLY
before you start the lessons.
to demonstrate all the activities. This allows you to
watch the demonstrations with the pupils then teach LessONs
the activities to the class. Taster/Assembly
This is the first section to show to
The school hall the pupils. Many children have never ages 4-7 Years
seen tennis played, let alone played [England/Wales: Rec Y1 & Y2, Scotland: P1 & P2]
You need to use the school hall for each 5-week

it themselves. This musical section INTrODUCTION
block of lessons. The demonstrations of the drills,
shows teenage children having
skills, games and activities on the DVDs are played INCLUsION
fun on a tennis court. We hope it
to the pupils in the school hall. Therefore when you
enthuses and inspires the children TasTer/asseMBLY
book the hall, you also need to book the TV and DVD
to enjoy what’s ahead!
player, or an interactive whiteboard/projector. LessONs
A note about aerial shots

In order to demonstrate how to set up activities,
we provide shots of the hall from above, giving you
an aerial view. However, we have only used half the
hall and 15 pupils so that everyone can clearly see
what is required. You will have 30 pupils in your class,
but we are confident that the aerial shot will give
you all the information you need to deliver the tennis
activities to the whole class in a safe and fun way.
4 5
The Lessons setting up

Starting the lesson It is important to set up Each lesson
ages 4-7 Years
each activity correctly. plan features:
Seat all the children in front

of the TV or whiteboard INTrODUCTION To support you, we provide an A n overhead photo of the hall:

Put the correct disc for the
overhead shot of the hall and a
INCLUsION
age group into the DVD player diagram of the layout of the cones
TasTer/asseMBLY with each activity. A second diagram
First screen: select LESSONS
tells you what equipment to provide
LessONs
Second screen: select
and whether pupils need partners
the lesson you want or teams.
Each lesson includes a warm up,
The virtual coach ages 4-7 Years
agility, balance and coordination skills
The virtual coach begins the lesson by (ABCs), a main theme and a game.
LessON 1 LessON 4 Diagrams for cone layouts:

engaging the children with an introduction The Forehand The Serve
to tennis. He then demonstrates the first LessON 2 LessON 5 ABCs - Agility, Balance
activity. At the end of it, he points to the The Forehand Festival
and Coordination
class and says: “Now it’s your turn”. LessON 3 return
The Volley To Main Menu
Agility:
The teacher a In tennis, the player must be
The teacher then directs the whole able to move around the court
class to follow the activity, and leads efficiently and effectively, being
the pupils through it. Please play on your quick but always in control.
remote to continue
Key teaching points Balance:
B It is important to move
The key teaching points of each activity
around smoothly and to stop A key to show you what

are highlighted on the screen. They will
evenly, with knees bent, back equipment to provide
remain there until the class is ready to
straight, head up and the and whether pupils need
move on to the next activity. At this point,
player ready for action. partners or teams:
the teacher directs the children back
to the screen and presses PLAY on the
Coordination:
remote control. C The player must be able to
At the bottom right-hand side of the
screen there is a progress bar that
coordinate all the aspects key
that make a good shot -
indicates how many activities remain Teaching Where you are footwork, racket control
in the lesson. Points in the lesson and their focus on the ball.
Racket Ball Bucket Cone
Partner 2 Teams 3 Teams
6 7
Ages 4-7 Lesson 1 - The Forehand
Ages 4-7 years WARM UP

Lesson 1: The Forehand
England/Wales: Rec Y1 & Y2,
Scotland: P1 & P2
Set up for:
Jogging
Changing Direction
Sidestepping
Jumping
Bounce-Catch
For these activities the pupils
should always face the centre of
the hall, with their feet, hips and
shoulders turned towards it.
Remember to stress to pupils

the importance of a warm up ‑
whatever sport they are playing,
the warm up prepares both
their bodies and their minds
Warming up muscles helps

to prevent injury
Warming up gets pupils focused -

it sets their minds on the game, and
prepares them for the action ahead
9
Jogging Changing
Note: Jogging begins each lesson
because we feel it is a fun and safe
way for the whole class to warm up.
1 Direction 1
The activity is jogging but instead of
The activity is jogging, being stopping, the pupils change direction
light on their feet, and able to
stop quickly and in control When changing direction, pupils
should push off, be in control and
Start the jogging with a verbal stay balanced
command then tell the class to
stop with a clap of the hands, Start the jogging with a
or by shouting “stop!”
2 verbal command then tell
the class to change direction
2
with a clap of the hands
You may prefer to shout “change!”

1 Jog on toes
2 Use arms
3 Head high
4 Stop like a cat 3 1 Low to the ground 3
2 Push off with your feet
Harder 3 Stay balanced
4 Knees bent
Jog between the cones
5 Light on toes
Stop more frequently
Harder
Tips
4 In and out of the cones 4
Check their stopped positions
Change direction more frequently
Clap to get them jogging again
Make sure there is enough

space between each child Tips
Leave spaces between pupils
Emphasise quality and control

of the turn, not speed
5
10 11
a Sidestepping B Jumping
The activity is sidestepping The activity is jumping
Pupils need to be balanced and
1 1
ready to move, weight on their toes,
Pupils need to bend their knees,
drive their arms into the air, and
knees bent and heads up push up from the floor to ‘explode’
as they jump over the cones
1 Stay balanced
2 Sporty position 2 1 Bend knees
2 Drive arms into the air
2
3 Low to the ground
4 Head up 3 Explode
4 Land balanced
Easier
Easier
Pupils side step around the cones
Jump on right leg, then left leg
3 3
Harder
Harder
Pupils side step
between the cones Touch
the floor
between each jump
Tips
Tips
Point out that it’s not how 4 Leave

spaces between pupils 4
fast they can go - it’s how Encourage
high jumps,
well they can do it but with control
Heads, shoulders, hips
and feet must all point to
the centre of the hall
12 13
Bounce-
C
Creating Rallies
Catch 1
The activity is sidestepping
whilst bouncing and catching
the ball at the same time
1 Watch the ball

2 Let ball drop to floor
2
3 Cradle ball in both hands
Easier
Side step around the cones
Allow two bounces

3
Harder
Set up for:
Move between the cones
Throw to Throw
Rolling Rally
Tips Bounce-Hit-Catch
Encourage pupils to watch
the ball and move with the ball For these activities pupils stand
in a line down the hall facing their
Get the pupils to say “bounce” partners, each line two steps back
out loud when the ball bounces, from the centre of the hall.
and “catch” when they catch it
Rallies involve playing in pairs.

For less able children This requires player cooperation
use a larger ball and introduces the element of
competition. A key point is that
each pair must keep and agree the
score as they play. Importantly, this
activity also develops team work.
14 15
Throw to Rolling
Throw 1 Rally 1
T he activity is a low underarm throw, Pupils roll the ball across the hall
up and over an imaginary net, floor to one another, using the
aiming at their partner’s racket racket to push the ball along
Pupils score every time the

ball lands on their partner’s
racket (without a bounce)
2 1 Ball on floor
2
2 Racket behind ball
3 Strings facing partner
1 In pairs 4 Push ball to partner
2 Aim for partner’s racket 5 Stop ball with racket
3 Throw underarm
4 Low to high
Easier
5 Keep a score 3 Pupil stops the ball
3
before rolling it back
Easier
Stand closer together
Pupils stand closer together
Ball is allowed to bounce Harder

before it hits the racket
Pupil does not stop the ball
Harder 4 before sending it back

4
Pupils stand further apart Tips
Get pupils to hold racket

Tips at the bottom of the grip
Make sure the catcher watches Pupils keep watching the ball
the ball, that they are on their
Working together will
toes and ready to catch
At the end ask each pair
5 contribute to a longer rally
5
to call out their scores
16 17
Bounce- games
Hit-Catch 1
One pupil throws the ball
underarm to their partner who
is standing opposite them
The ball should bounce once

before the hitter hits the ball back
to the thrower who catches it
1 Stand sideways
2 Watch the ball move
3 Low to high push
Easier 3
Catcher can allow the ball to
bounce before catching it Set up for Games:
Stand closer to each other
Golden Shot
Ball at side of cone, push ball
Harder through the cones to hit the end cone.
Introduce scoring, one point Basketball

for each successful hit and catch Stand between cones,
throw underarm into the basket.
Tips
Surf Dudes
Hold the racket at the Ball on racket, side step through
bottom of the grip the cones without ball falling off.
Swing from low to high For this activity, divide class

into three teams.
Strings facing partner
Do this as a group to ensure

that hitters are always on the
same side of the hall
Remind hitters and
catchers to swap over
18 19

Scotland: P1 & P2
Set up for:
Jogging
Changing Direction
Sidestepping
Hopping
SKIPPING
For these activities pupils should always
face the centre of the hall, with their feet,
hips and shoulders turned towards it.
21
Jogging Changing
The activity is jogging, being
stop quickly and in control
1 Direction 1
Start the jogging with a verbal stopping, the pupils change direction
stop with a clap of the hands, When changing direction, pupils
or by shouting “stop!” should push off, be in control and
stay balanced
Start the jogging with a

2
1 Jog on toes with a clap of the hands
2 Use arms
3 Head high You may prefer to shout “change!”
4 Stop like a cat
Harder

3 1 Low to the ground 3
Stop more frequently 3 Stay balanced
4 Knees bent
Tips 5 Light on toes

Harder
Make sure there is enough 4 In and out of the cones 4

space between each child
Tips

5
22 23
a Sidestepping B HOPPing
The activity is sidestepping Hopping is moving your weight
Pupils need to be balanced and

1 onto one of your legs, bending
the knee and pushing up into
1
ready to move, weight on their toes, the air and landing gently
knees bent and heads up
The activity is moving around the
hall hopping on one leg over the
cones, using the arms for balance
1 Stay balanced
2 Sporty position
3 Low to the ground
2 2
1 Bend knee
4 Head up 2 Use arms to balance
3 Push up into the air
Easier 4 Land gently

Easier
Harder
3 Hop over alternate cones
3
Pupils side step
between the cones
Harder
Hop
on one leg for longer before
Tips changing legs
Point out that it’s not how 4 Tips 4

fast they can go - it’s how
Remind
the pupils to change legs
well they can do it
24 25
c skipPing ROLLING RALLY

Skipping involves the arms and
the legs working together
1
Keep a good rhythm and hold the
position for as long as possible
1 Lift knees high

2 Light on toes
3 Head still
2
4 Opposite leg to opposite arm
Easier
Pupils who are less confident/able

can walk around rather than skip
3
Tips
Plenty of space between pupils Set up for:
Encourage pupils to keep a ROLLING RALLY

rhythm and hold the position
for as long as possible For this activity, pupils stand in a line down
Quality of action,
the hall facing their partners, each line two
not speed around the hall 4 steps away from the centre of the hall.
Pupils roll the ball across the hall

floor to one another, using the
racket to push the ball along
26 27
Rolling rally Bounce-hit-catch

1
1 Ball on floor
4 Push ball to partner
5 Stop ball with racket
Easier
2
Pupil stops the ball before
rolling it back
Harder
Pupil does not stop the 3

ball before sending it back
Set up for:
Tips
Bounce-Hit-Catch
Hold the racket at the bottom
of the grip For this activity, pupils stand in a line down
the hall facing their partners, each line two
Pupils keep watching the ball
Working together will contribute

4 steps away from the centre of the hall.
to a longer rally One pupil throws the ball


before the hitter hits the ball back
to the thrower who catches it
28 29
Bounce- Living Wall

Hit-Catch 1
1 Stand sideways
3 Low to high
4 Throw underarm
2
Easier
Catcher can allow the ball

to bounce before catching it
Harder 3
Introduce scoring, one point for
each successful hit and catch Set up for:
LIVING WALL
Tips
Two teams: hitters and throwers
Hold the racket at the
bottom of the grip
Swing from low to high,
4 Throwers stand in a line

along the cones
strings facing partner
Each hitter moves along hitting
Remind hitters and catchers a ball from each thrower
to swap over
Only allow the ball to bounce once
Thrower catches the ball

from the hitter
Hitter then rejoins the line
30 31
Living Wall
1
1 Two groups
2 Throwers behind cones
3 Hitters face throwers
4 Bounce-hit-catch
5 Hitters move to the next cone
Tips
2
Remind hitters and
throwers to swap over
Before you begin, make sure
pupils understand what their
team is meant to be doing
32 33
Ages 4-7 Lesson 3 - The Volley

Lesson 3: The Volley
Scotland: P1 & P2
Set up for:
Jogging
Changing Direction
Jumping
Sidestepping
Hopping
For these activities the pupils should

always face the centre of the hall, with their
feet, hips and shoulders turned towards it.

the importance of a warm up -

to prevent injury

35
Jogging Changing
1 Direction 1
stay balanced

2
1 Jog on toes
2 Use arms
4 Stop like a cat
Harder

4 Knees bent
Clap to get them jogging again Harder

Tips

5
36 37
A Jumping b Sidestepping
Pupils need to bend their knees, The activity is sidestepping
drive their arms into the air, and
push up from the floor to ‘explode’
1 Pupils need to be balanced and
1
as they jump over the cones ready to move, weight on their toes,
1 Bend knees
2 Drive arms into the air 1 Stay balanced
3 Explode 2 2 Sporty position 2
4 Land balanced 3 Low to the ground
4 Head up
Easier
Easier
Jump on right leg then
change to left leg Pupils side step around the cones
Harder
3 3
Harder
Touch the floor between Pupils
side step between
each jump the cones
Tips
Tips
Leave spaces between pupils Leave spaces between pupils
4 4

Encourage high jumps, Point out that it’s not how fast
but with control
they can go - it’s how well they
can do it
Heads,
shoulders, hips and feet
must all point to the centre of
the hall
38 39
C HOPping Throwing and Catching

Hopping is moving your weight onto
one of your legs, bending the knee
and pushing up into the air, then
1
landing gently
Hopping involves the arms and the

legs working together whilst keeping
a good rhythm
The activity is moving around the

hall hopping on one leg over the
cones, using the arms for balance
2
1 Bend knee
2 Use arms to balance
3 Push up into the air
4 Land gently 3
Easier Set up for:
Hop over alternate cones
Throwing and Catching
Harder For these activities, pupils stand

Hop on one leg for longer
before changing legs 4 partners, each line two steps back
from the centre of the hall.
A volley is where you hit the

Tips ball before it bounces.
Remind the pupils to change legs Two groups of pupils

Throwers: low to high

throw with no bounce
Catchers: watch the ball

ready to catch
40 41
Throwing Catching in Cones

and Catching 1
1 Watch the path of the ball

2 Underarm throw
3 Low to high
4 No bounce
5 Bend knees
2
Easier
Harder
Pupils stand further apart

3
Set up for:
Tips
Make sure pupils watch

Catching in Cones
the ball at all times
For this activity, pupils stand in a line down
Work together - make it easy the hall facing their partners, each line
for your partner to catch
4 two steps back from the centre of the hall.
Thrower and catcher
Thrower throws the ball

to their partner
Partner is standing ready to catch

the ball in a cone they are holding
42 43
Catching Throwing and Volleying

in Cones 1

2 Underarm throw
3 No bounce
4 Cradle ball in cone
2
Easier
Find a larger object or a larger

ball for less able children to catch
Harder
3
Stand further apart
Set up for:
Tips Throwing and volleying

Controlled throw aiming For these activities, pupils stand
at the cone in a line down the hall facing their
Remind pupils to swap over 4 partners, each line two steps back
A volley is where you hit the

ball before it bounces.
Two groups of pupils


Hitters (volleyers): volley the ball

back to the thrower (with no bounce)
44 45
Throwing
and Volleying 1
One thrower, one volleyer
Thrower throws the ball underarm to

their partner who volleys the ball back
to the thrower (with no bounce)
2
1 Throw underarm
2 Keep racket head up
4 Push the racket out in front of you
Easier
3
Catcher can allow ball to

bounce before catching it
Harder
Keep a score
4
Tips
Keep rackets up
(above the waist)
Pupils slowly push their
rackets - not swing them
Remind the two groups of
pupils to swap over
46 47
Living Wall volley Living Wall

Volley 1

2 Push racket out in front of you
3 No bounce
4 Hitter moves on to next cone 2
Tips
Remind the hitters to swap

over with the throwers
team is meant to be doing 3
Set up for:
Living Wall Volley
For this activity, the throwers stand

in a line down the hall. The hitters
move along the centre of the hall.
4
Two teams, throwers
and hitters (volleyers)
Throwers stand in a line

along the cones

a volley from each thrower then
rejoins the line and repeats
48 49
Ages 4-7 Lesson 4 - The Serve

Lesson 4: The Serve
Scotland: P1 & P2
Set up for:
Jogging
Changing Direction
Toe Tap
Hand Tap
51
Jogging Changing
1 Direction 1
stay balanced

2
1 Jog on toes
2 Use arms
4 Stop like a cat
Harder

4 Knees bent
Clap to get them jogging again Harder

Tips

5
52 53
abcs Toe Tap abcs Hand Tap

Pupils travel around hall tapping Pupils tap each cone with alternate
each cone with their foot, using
a different foot each time
1 hands as they move around the hall
1
1 Tap each cone with hand

1 Tap each cone with toe 2 Bend knees
2 Move to the next cone 3 Head up
3 Keep balanced
2 2
Easier
Easier
Tap with favourite hand
Tap with one or favourite foot
Harder
Harder
Tap each cone with both hands
Tap each cone with both feet
3 3
Tips
Tips
Bend the knees not the back,
Make sure pupils face inwards keep the head up
and move slowly along the cones
space between pupils
54 55
throw to target throw to

target 1
1 In pairs
2 Aim for partner’s racket
3 Throw underarm
4 Low to high
5 Keep a score
2
Easier
Ball is allowed to bounce before it

hits the target
Tips 3
Make sure the catchers are
Set up for: watching the ball, on their
toes, and ready to catch
Throw to Target
Remind the thrower and
Serve to Target catcher to swap over
Serve to Catch
For these activities, pupils stand

4
partners, each line two steps back
Low underarm throw, up and over

the imaginary net, aiming at their
partner’s racket which is on the floor
Good aim improves serving
Pupil scores each time they

5
hit their partner’s racket
56 57
Serve to Serve to
Target 1 Catch 1
Server serves the ball underarm One server, one catcher
and aims to hit their partner’s
racket which is lying on the Server
serves the ball underarm,
floor in front of them aiming at the catcher
Catcher catches the ball and The

catcher catches the ball
then becomes the server and before it bounces and rolls
aims for partner’s racket it back to the server
2 Work together to achieve as many
2
serves and catches as possible
1 Hit the ball before it bounces

2 Strings facing target
3 Take turns to serve 1 Strings facing target
Easier
3 2 Hit the ball before it bounces
3 Roll the ball back
3
Allow ball to bounce before Easier

hitting partner’s racket
Ball can bounce before
catcher catches
Harder Stand closer together
Keep a score - if you miss,

the score goes back to zero
Harder
Stand further apart

Tips Score goes back to zero when
a ball is dropped or missed
Ask pupils to hold ball
in front of racket (no bounce)
Pupils should lift strings Tips
toward the target
Remind the server and catcher
Work as a team to achieve to swap over - do this as a group
as many hits as possible to ensure that servers are always
on the same side of the hall
58 59
GAMES GAMES
Game 1: Serving into the Box
Game 2: Hit the Wall
Game 3: Super Aimer
1
Tips 2
Remind the pupils to change
activities so that each
team plays each game
Pupils should keep a score
he next lesson, the Festival,

T
features a scorecard. 3
To prepare for this, we suggest the
Set up for: pupils make their own scorecard.
An example is shown below.
Game 1: Serving into the Box
Serve up and over the imaginary
net and land in the box. Games Scorecard
Game 2: Hit the Wall Pupil’s Name:
Serve to wall and ‘make the ball’
(catch the ball on the racket).
Game: Score:
Game 3: Super Aimer
Aim to throw the ball into the basket. 1
For this activity, divide class

into three teams.
2
Remind pupils to have the scorecards

ready for next week’s Festival.
60 61
Ages 4-7 Lesson 5 - The Festival
Games
Ages 4-7 years Scorecard
Last time you asked the class
to prepare a scorecard.
Lesson 5: The Festival

England/Wales: Rec Y1 & Y2, Pupil’s Name:
Scotland: P1 & P2
Game: Score:
1
63
WARM UP Jogging
1
Start the jogging with a verbal
stop with a clap of the hands
1 Jog on toes 2
2 Use arms
3 Head high
4 Stop like a cat
Harder
Stop more frequently 3

Set up for: Tips
Jogging Check their stopped positions

Changing Direction Clap to get them jogging again
Sidestepping and clapping
Remember to congratulate
Power Skipping

and encourage them
4
64 65
Changing
abcs
Direction 1 Sidestepping 1
T he activity is jogging but instead of
stopping, the pupils change direction
and Clapping
When changing direction, Sidestepping as before, but with hands
pupils should push off, be in clapping above their heads at the same time
control and stay balanced

verbal command then tell 2 2
the class to change direction 1 Sidestep around cones
2 Hands clap above head
You may prefer to shout “change!” 3 Head high
4 Arms and legs working together
1 Low to the ground 3 Easier

3
Arms can work slower than
2 Push off with your feet legs to gain confidence
3 Stay balanced
4 Knees bent
Harder
5 Light on toes
In and out of the cones
Harder
4 Tips 4
In and out of the cones
Make sure pupils keep their
Change direction more frequently arms and legs working together
Keep class facing
Tips the centre of the hall

of the turn, not speed 5
66 67
Power
abcs
The fESTIVAL
Skipping 1
Power skipping involves driving the
arms and the legs as high into the air
as possible, working together,
keeping a good rhythm and
pushing up from the ground
Skip opposite arm to opposite leg

2
1 Bend knees
2 Head high
3 Drive arms up
4 Push up from the ground
5 Balance and control
3
Easier
Set up for Games:
can walk around rather than skip Festival Golden Shot
Ball at side of cone. Push ball
through the cones to hit the end cone.
Tips
Plenty of space between pupils 4 Basketball

Stand between cones,
Drive up left arm with right leg throw underarm into the basket.
and keep a rhythm
Surf Dudes
Get pupils to count “one-two, Ball on racket, side step through
one-two” to help their timing as the cones without ball falling off.
they drive their arms and legs up
For this activity, divide class
into three teams.
5
68 69
The Festival
1
Tips
Divide the class into three equal

teams and place one team
at each station or activity
Once each player has had an
agreed number of turns at each
2
activity, swap the groups over
so all groups play all games
Get pupils to complete their
scorecards at the end
CONCLUSION 3
You have now completed the five
lessons. We hope you have found the
DVD and handbook helpful and that the
pupils have had a great time learning
tennis. Thank you for delivering tennis.
For more information:

www.schoolstennis.org
70 71

England/Wales: Y3 & Y4,
Scotland: P3 & P4
Set up for:
Jogging
Changing Direction
Sidestepping
Jumping
Bounce-Catch

the importance of a warm up –

to prevent injury

73
Jogging Changing
1 Direction 1
stay balanced

2 verbal command then tell 2
1 Jog on toes the class to change direction
2 Use arms with a clap of the hands
3 Head high
4 Stop like a cat
Harder

3 Stay balanced
4 Knees bent
Tips
5 Light on toes
Make sure there is enough 4 Harder

4
space between each child In and out of the cones
Tips

74 75
a Sidestepping B Jumping
The activity is sidestepping The activity is jumping
1 1
Pupils need to be balanced and Pupils need to bend their knees,
ready to move, weight on their toes, drive their arms into the air, and
knees bent and heads up push up from the floor to ‘explode’
as they jump over the cones
1 Stay balanced
2 Sporty position 2 1 Bend knees
2 Drive arms into the air
2
3 Low to the ground
4 Head up 3 Explode
4 Land balanced
Easier
Easier
Jump on right leg, then left leg
Harder
3 3
Pupils side step Harder
between the cones Touch the floor between

each jump
Tips
Leave spaces between pupils Tips

Point out that it’s not how
fast they can go - it’s how
4 Leave
spaces between pupils 4
well they can do it Encourage
high jumps,
but with control
76 77
Bounce-
C
Creating Rallies
Catch 1
whilst bouncing and catching
the ball at the same time
1 Watch the ball

2 Let ball drop to floor
2
3 Cradle ball in both hands
Easier
Side step around the cones
Allow two bounces

3
Harder
Set up for:
Move between the cones
Throw to Throw
Rolling Rally
Tips
Bounce-Hit-Catch
Encourage pupils to watch
the ball and move with the ball For these activities pupils stand
Get the pupils to say “bounce” partners, each line two steps back
out loud when the ball bounces, from the centre of the hall.
and “catch” when they catch it
Rallies involve playing in pairs.

For less able children
This requires player cooperation
use a larger ball
and introduces the element of
competition. A key point is that
each pair must keep and agree the
score as they play. Importantly, this
activity also develops team work.
78 79
Throw to Rolling
Throw 1 Rally 1
Low
underarm throw, up and over Pupils roll the ball across the hall
the imaginary net, aiming at floor to one another, using the
their partner’s racket racket to push the ball along
Pupils score every time the

ball lands on their partner’s
racket (without a bounce)
2 1 Ball on floor
2
1 In pairs 4 Push ball to partner
2 Aim for partner’s racket 5 Stop ball with racket
3 Throw underarm
4 Low to high
Easier
5 Keep a score 3 Pupil stops the ball
3
Easier
Ball is allowed to bounce Harder

before it hits the racket
Harder 4 before sending it back

4
Pupils stand further apart Tips
Get pupils to hold racket

Tips at the bottom of the grip
Make sure the catcher watches Pupils keep watching the ball
the ball, that they are on their
Working together will
toes and ready to catch
At the end ask each pair
5 contribute to a longer rally
5
to call out their scores
80 81
Bounce- games
Games
Hit-Catch 1
One pupil throws the ball

before the hitter hits the
ball back to the catcher
1 Stand sideways
3 Low to high push
Easier 3
Catcher can allow the ball to
bounce before catching it Set up for Games:
Stand closer to each other
Game 1: Keepy-Up Tennis
Bounce and hit it up.
Harder Continue until you miss.
Introduce scoring, one point Game 2: Forehand Slalom

for each successful hit and catch Little steps in and out of the cones -
little hits. Keep the ball under control.
Tips
Game 3: Target Tennis
Hold the racket at the Drop the ball, hit the forehand
bottom of the grip and aim for the cone in the middle.
Swing from low to high For this activity, divide class

class into three teams.

that hitters are always on the
same side of the hall
82 83
GAMES
Game 1: Keepy-Up Tennis
Game 2: Forehand Slalom
1
Game 3: Target Tennis
Tips
2
Divide the class into three equal
teams and place one team
at each station or activity
Once each player has had an
agreed number of turns at each
activity, swap the groups over
so all groups play all games 3
84 85
Ages 7-9 Lesson 2 - The Backhand

Lesson 2: The Backhand
Scotland: P3 & P4
Set up for:
Jogging
Changing Direction
Heel Flicks
Chopping
87
Jogging Changing

1 Direction 1
stay balanced

2 Use arms
3 Head high
4 Stop like a cat
Harder

3 Stay balanced
4 Knees bent
Tips
5 Light on toes

4
Tips

88 89
abcs Heel Flicks abcs chopping

Pupils move in the direction they are Facing the inside of the hall, pupils
facing, kicking their feet up behind
them to hit their hands
1 move feet quickly up and down and
hands quickly in a chopping motion,
1
then they sidestep
The right foot hits the right hand
and the left foot hits the left hand
Head up and balanced

1 Stand sideways
2 Chopping with arms
2 3 Fast feet 2
1 Hands behind you 4 Head high
2 Heels touch hands
3 Head up Easier
4 Keep a rhythm
Start all the class doing the
5 Stay in control activity standing still, so they get
the idea before starting to move
Tips
3 sideways 3
Get pupils to listen for the sound
Harder
We are looking for quality of the
heel flick not the speed pupils Teacher can shout/clap to
change direction
are moving around the hall
To help pupils maintain a rhythm,
ask them to count “one-two, Tips
one-two” (‘one’ for the right 4 All pupils must face inwards
4
and ‘two’ for the left)
All pupils move around
to their right
Keep head up and back straight
90 91
Backhand Throw to Throw Backhand

Throw to 1
Throw
1 Two hands on the ball
2 Turn shoulders 2
3 Throw towards your partner
4 Low to high
Easier
Stand closer to partner
3
Harder
Set up for: Stand further away from partner
Backhand Throw to Throw

Backhand Roll To Roll
Backhand Bounce-Hit-Catch
Backhand Game

4
Low backhand, underarm throw,

up and over the imaginary net,
aiming at their partner’s racket
Pupils score every time the ball

lands on their partner’s racket
92 93
Backhand Backhand
Roll to Roll 1 Bounce- 1
With two hands on the racket, pupils
push the ball across the floor from
their backhand side aiming at their
Hit-Catch
partner’s backhand side Hitter and catcher
C
atcher throws the ball to
the hitter’s backhand
1 Two hands on racket

2 2
2 Favourite hand at the bottom
3 Turn sideways 1 Two hands on racket
4 Strings facing partner 2 Stand sideways
5 Push ball along floor to partner 3 Low to high
Easier 3 3
Pupil stops the ball Easier
Catcher
may let the ball
Use a cone as a target to aim at bounce before catching
Stand closer together Hitter
may let the ball bounce
twice before hitting
Harder

4 Harder 4
before sending it back Introduce scoring, one for

each successful hit and catch
Tips
Get pupils to hold racket Tips

with favourite hand at the
Get
pupils to put favourite hand
bottom of the racket grip
on the bottom of the racket grip
Working together contributes 5 Remind
hitters and catchers to
to a higher rally
swap over - do this as a group to
ensure that hitters are always on
the same side of the hall
94 95
Backhand
Game 1
Using the backhand, hit the ball to
land on their partner’s racket
Thrower must throw to their partner’s

backhand and hitter must try and
hit the target (the racket)
2
1 Two hands on racket
2 Stand sideways
3 Strings facing target
4 Score each time you hit target
Tips
3
Get pupils to put favourite hand
on the bottom of the racket grip
Remind hitters and catchers
to swap over - do this as a group
to ensure that hitters are always
Keep scores 4
96 97

Lesson 3: The VOLLEY
Scotland: P3 & P4
Set up for:
Jogging
Changing Direction
Power Skipping
99
Jogging Changing
1 Direction 1
stay balanced

2 Use arms
3 Head high
4 Stop like a cat
Harder

3 Stay balanced
4 Knees bent
Tips
5 Light on toes

4
Tips

100 101
Power
abcs
Games
Scissor Jump
abcs
Skipping 1
Power skipping involves driving
the arms and the legs as high
into the air as possible, working
together, keeping a good rhythm
and pushing up from the ground
2
1 Bend knees
2 Head high
3 Drive arms up
4 Push up from the ground
5 Balance and control
Easier
3
can walk around rather than skip Set up for:
Scissor Jump
Tips
Pupils face inwards, feet either side of a line.
Plenty of space between pupils
One foot forward with opposite hand

Encourage pupils to keep a
rhythm and hold the position in
4 level with leg, then change legs
the air for as long as possible

Quality of action not
speed around the ball
102 103
Scissor
abcs
Games and Catching
Throwing
Jump 1
1 Knees bent
2 One foot in front of the other
3 Opposite hand in front
4 Change legs
5 Head up 2
Harder
Pupils can change legs more

quickly as they become more
confident, but should not
lose quality
3
Tips
Set up for:
Keep arms and legs
working together
Throwing and Catching
Jump over the line, Throwing and Volleying
changing legs as you do
Whilst you are changing in a line down the hall facing their
legs, make sure the opposite 4 partners, each line two steps back
arm is in front from the centre of the hall.
Simple definition of a volley is

not letting the ball bounce.
Two groups of pupils


5 C atchers: watch the ball

ready to catch
104 105
Throwing Throwing
and Catching 1 and Volleying 1
Thrower throws ball underarm
at partner’s racket
1 Watch the path of the ball Thrower must be ready to catch

the volley return from the hitter
2 Underarm throw
3 Low to high H itter (volleyer) has hand at
2 2
4 No bounce the bottom of the racket
5 Bend knees
H itter must try and hit the ball out in
front of them at all times with no swing
Easier
Pupils can stand closer together
1 Watch the path of the ball

Harder
3 2 Throw underarm 3
3 Keep the racket up
4 Push the racket in front of you
Tips
Make sure pupils watch

Easier
the ball at all times
Thrower
to stand closer to the
Work together - make it easy
volleyer to make task easier
for your partner to catch
4 for volleyer 4
Catcher
can allow ball to bounce
before catching it
Harder
Keep
a score
5 Tips
Keep
pupils’ rackets
up (above the waist)
Pupils
should push the
racket and not swing
Remind
pupils to swap
over as a group
106 107
Living Wall Volley Living Wall

Volley 1
1 Keep the racket head up

2 Push the racket out in front of you
3 No bounce
4 Move to the next cone 2
Easier
Hitter
stands closer to thrower
Harder
Hitter
moves along the 3
cones more quickly
Set up for:
Tips
Living Wall Volley
Remind
the hitters to swap over
For this activity, the throwers stand with the throwers
in a line down the hall. The hitters
4
move along the centre of the hall.
Two teams, throwers team is meant to be doing
and hitters (volleyers)
Throwers stand in a
line along the cones

a volley from each thrower then
rejoins the line and repeats
108 109

Lesson 4: The Serve
Scotland: P3 & P4
Set up for:
Jogging
Changing Direction

111
Jogging Changing
1 Direction 1
stay balanced

2 Use arms
3 Head high
4 Stop like a cat
Harder

3 Stay balanced
4 Knees bent
Tips
5 Light on toes

4
Tips

112 113
abcs Tick-Tock Jumping Tick-Tock

Jumping 1
1 In pairs, facing each other

2 One says “tick” then “tock”
3 Other jumps sideways over cone
4 Keep the rhythm going
5 Swap places
2
Easier
Tell
pupils to take longer
between each ‘tick’ and ‘tock’
to allow more time
3
Tips
Set up for: Remind
pairs to swap over
Tick-Tock Jumping
For this activity, partners face each

other with a cone between them.
Work closely in pairs over the cone 4

First pupil says “tick” and moves
hand to one side, while partner
jumps sideways over cone
Pupil moves hand back and

says “tock” and partner jumps
sideways back over cone
114 115
Throw to Target Throw to

Target 1
1 In pairs
2 Aim for partner’s racket
3 Throw underarm
4 Low to high
5 Keep a score
2
Easier
B
all is allowed to bounce
before it hits the target
Tips
3
Make
sure the catcher is
Set up for: watching the ball, on their toes,
and ready to catch
Throw to Target
Serve to Target Ask
pupils to swap over -
thrower becomes catcher,
Serve and Rally
catcher becomes thrower
4
Low underarm throw, up and over

the imaginary net, aiming at their
partner’s racket which is on the floor
Good aim improves serving
Pupils score every time they

5
hit their partner’s racket
116 117
Serve to Game –
Target 1 Serve and 1
Server serves the ball underarm
and aims to hit their partner’s
racket which is lying on the
Rally
floor in front of them A teamwork activity to build
the best score possible
Catcher catches the ball and
then becomes the server and
aims for partner’s racket
Start with a serve to the partner
2 Use forehand, backhand 2
and footwork
The ball must only bounce once

1 Hit the ball before it bounces
2 Strings facing target Accuracy not power
3 Take turns to serve
Easier
3 3
1 One serves, the other hits back
Ball is allowed to bounce
before it hits the racket 2 Keep the rally going
3 Keep a score
Tips
Easier
Get pupils to hold ball in front
of racket (no bounce) Player can begin the point by
throwing the ball underarm to
Pupils should lift strings
toward the target their partner
Accuracy not power

Tips
Work as a team to achieve
a higher number of hits Remember to keep the pupils
scoring and remind them
to take turns serving
118 119
Ages 7-9 Lesson 5 - Matchplay

Lesson 5: Matchplay
Scotland: P3 & P4
Set up for:
Jogging
Changing Direction

121
Jogging Changing
1 Direction 1
stay balanced

2 Use arms
3 Head high
4 Stop like a cat
Harder

3 Stay balanced
4 Knees bent
Tips
5 Light on toes

4
Tips

122 123
abcs The Maze T

abcs
the maze 1
1 Hop/jump/skip/sidestep
2 All directions
3 Light on your toes
4 Head up 2
5 Stay balanced
Easier
Pupils
to work at a slower pace
Spread
the cones further apart
for a wheelchair user
3
Set up for: Harder
Pupils
can only move to the right
The Maze
The activity develops spatial awareness. Tips
Pupils must be aware of others

and the cones whilst moving around
Make
sure pupils avoid bumping
into each other by keep their 4
the hall using the skills they have heads up and being alert
learnt - hopping, skipping,
jumping, and sidestepping
124 125
Challengers and Champions Challengers

and 1
Champions
1 In pairs (doubles)
2 Make court and net with cones
3 Challengers replace champions
2
when they score two points
Easier
If your pupils are unable to win
two points, players can
become champions after
winning one point
3
Set up for:
Tips
Challengers and Champions Mark
out as many courts
as you have space
To become champions,

players need to win two points Use
cones as the net and other
cones to mark the baselines,
They must keep the ball to form the rectangular shape
inside the court and the ball of the court
should only bounce once
Players
play up and over the
net and must keep the ball
inside the court
CONCLUSION
You have now completed the five
lessons. We hope you have found the
DVD and handbook helpful and that the
pupils have had a great time learning
tennis. Thank you for delivering tennis.
For more information:

www.schoolstennis.org
126 127

Scotland: P5 & P6
Set up for:
Jogging
Sidestepping
Power Skipping
Heel Flick
For these activities pupils should always
face the centre of the hall, with their feet,

the importance of a warm up -

to prevent injury

129
Jogging
abcs
Note: Jogging begins each lesson
because we feel it is a fun and safe
way for the whole class to warm up.
1 Sidestepping 1
The activity is jogging, being light
on their feet, and able to stop quickly Pupils need to be balanced and
and in control ready to move, weight on their toes,
command then tell pupils to change
direction by clapping your hands
Tell them to stop by shouting “stop!” 2 2

1 Arms out for balance
2 Sporty position
3 Low to the ground
4 Head up
1 Jog on toes and use arms
2 Head high
Easier
3 Change direction when
teacher claps 3 Pupils side step around the cones
3
4 Stop like a cat
Harder
Harder
Pupils
side step between the
Jog between the cones cones
Change direction and
stop more frequently
4 Tips
4
Leave
spaces between pupils
Tips
Point
out that it’s not
Check their stopped positions how fast they can go -
it’s how well they can do it

Heads,
shoulders,
space between each child hips and feet must all point
to the centre of the hall
130 131
Power
abcs abcs Heel Flick
Skipping 1
Pupils move in the direction they
are facing, kicking their feet up
behind them to hit their hands
1
Power skipping involves driving the
arms and the legs as high into the air The right foot hits the right hand
as possible, working together, keeping and the left foot hits the left hand
a good rhythm and pushing up from
the ground Head up and balanced
2 2
1 Bend knees 1 Hands behind you
2 Head high 2 Heels touch hands
3 Drive arms up 3 Head up
4 Balance and control 4 Keep a rhythm
5 Stay in control
Easier

3 Tips 3
can walk around rather than skip
Get pupils to listen for the sound
We are looking for quality of the

Tips heel flick not the speed pupils
are moving around the hall
Plenty of space between pupils
To help pupils maintain a
Encourage pupils to keep a rhythm, ask them to count
rhythm and hold the position in
the air for as long as possible 4 “one-two, one-two” (‘one’ for
the right and ‘two’ for the left)
4
Quality of action, not
speed around the hall
132 133
Roll to Roll ROLL TO

ROLL 1
1 Racket in favourite hand

2 Hold at bottom of grip
3 Strings facing your partner
4 Push the ball
2
Easier
upil stops the ball before
P
rolling it back
Harder
3
Pupil
does not stop the ball
Set up for: before sending it back
Roll To Roll
Throw To Hit Tips
Forehand Rally
Get
pupils to hold racket
at the bottom of the grip
4
Pupils
keep watching the ball
from the centre of the hall. Working
together will contribute
to a longer rally
Pupils roll the ball across the hall
floor to one another, using the
racket to push the ball along
134 135
Throw Game –
to Hit 1 Forehand 1
Thrower must be ready to catch
the return from the hitter Rally
Thrower throws ball underarm over The activity involves pupils
imaginary net to bounce before working together to keep the
it reaches partner’s racket ball going with control
Hitter: hand at the bottom of the

handle, strings facing partner,
pupil must push racket low to high
2 2
1 Both hitting
2 Strings facing forward
3 Push racket low to high
1 Underarm throw 4 Keep the rally going
2 Over imaginary net 5 Keep a score
3 Strings facing your partner 3 3
4 Bounce hit
Easier
5 Push racket low to high
Start rally with a throw to
the partner
Easier
Thrower stands closer to the hitter Harder

to make task easier for hitter
4 Keep a score - if there are any

mistakes the score goes back 4
Tips to zero
Hold the racket at the
bottom of the grip
Tips
Swing from low to high
Keep pupils light on their toes
Push racket low to high
that hitters are always on 5 One bounce only 5
the same side of the hall
136 137

Lesson 2: The Backhand
Scotland: P5 & P6
Set up for:
Jogging
CrossOver
Basketball
139
Jogging abcs Crossover

The activity is jogging, being light Pupils cross one foot in front of the
on their feet, and able to stop quickly
and in control
1 other, then cross other foot behind
them to bring their feet level
1
Start the jogging with a verbal The same leading foot then crosses
command then tell pupils to change behind the other and the other foot
direction by clapping your hands crosses in front bringing their feet level
Tell them to stop by shouting “stop!” While doing this the pupils must look
forward with their arms outstretched
for balance
2 2
2 Head high
1 One foot crosses in front
teacher claps 2 Feet are level
4 Stop like a cat 3 Same foot crosses behind
4 Feet now level again
3 5 Keep looking ahead 3
Harder

Easier
stop more frequently Go around the cones
Tips Harder
Check their stopped positions 4 Move

between the cones 4
Make sure there is enough Tips

Try
to keep pupils’ heads high,
not looking down at their feet
Keep
pupils facing inwards
140 141

abcs
Backhand Rolling Rally
Basketball 1
This activity combines ball skills
with movement
The palm of the pupil’s hand pushes

the ball down to the bounce and then
the palm of the hand controls
the ball coming up
2
1 Knees bent, weight on toes
2 Back straight, head up
3 Push ball down to bounce
4 Change hands
3
Easier
Using favourite hand only Set up for:
Backhand Rolling Rally

Harder Backhand Throw to Hit
Switch from one
Backhand Rally
hand to the other Backhand Game
4 For these activities, pupils stand
Tips in a line down the hall facing their
Ball control comes from from the centre of the hall.
the palm pushing
Pupils roll the ball across the hall floor

Try to get pupils to look to one another, using the racket on the
up and around them
backhand side to push the ball along
142 143
Backhand Backhand
Rolling 1 Throw to Hit 1
Rally Thrower must be ready to
catch the return from the hitter

over imaginary net
B
all bounces before it reaches partner’s
1 Two-hand grip
racket on the backhand side
2 Favourite hand at bottom
3 Strings behind ball
2 H
itter: favourite hand at bottom of
2
the racket grip, strings facing partner,
4 Push ball to partner racket moving from low to high
5 Keep rally going
Easier
Pupil stops the ball before 1 Two-hand grip

rolling it back 3 2 Favourite hand at bottom 3
Stand closer together 3 Strings behind ball
4 Low to high
Harder 5 Throw - bounce - hit - catch
Pupil does not stop the

ball before sending it back Easier
Tips
4 Thrower stands closer to the hitter
to make task easier for hitter 4
Get pupils to hold racket with
favourite hand at the bottom Tips
of the racket grip
Get pupils to put favourite hand
Keep pupils watching the ball on the bottom of the racket grip
Working together contributes Remind hitters and catchers to
to a higher rally swap over - do this as a group
5 to ensure that hitters are always 5
144 145
Backhand Game –
Rally 1 Backhand 1
Pupils work together
Start the rally with the ball on top of

Rally
the strings and favourite hand at Pupils work together
the bottom of the racket grip
Start the rally with the ball on top of

Let the ball bounce and then hit, the strings and favourite hand at
going from low to high the bottom of the racket grip
Keep the ball going with control

2 Let the ball bounce and then hit,

2
going from low to high
Keep the ball going with control
1 Ball on top of strings

2 Two-hand grip
3 Let ball bounce - then hit
4 Low to high push
3 1 Ball on top of strings 3
2 Two-hand grip
3 Let ball bounce - then hit
Easier 4 Low to high push
5 Keep a score
Start rally with a throw
to the partner
Easier
Tips 4 Start rally with a
4
Keep pupils light on their toes throw to the partner
Push racket from low to high
One bounce only Harder
Keep a score - if there are

any mistakes the score goes
back to zero
5
Tips
Keep pupils light on their toes
Push racket from low to high
One bounce only
146 147

Lesson 3: The Volley
Scotland: P5 & P6
Set up for:
Jogging
Fast Feet, Slow Hands
For these activities, the pupils should
always face the centre of the hall
with their feet, hips and shoulders
turned towards it.
149
Jogging Fast Feet,

abcs
and in control
1 Slow Hands 1
The activity involves pupils’ feet working hard
Start the jogging with a verbal tapping (running on the spot but feet only
command then tell pupils to change just leaving the floor) sideways around the
direction by clapping your hands cones while their hands meet with a clap
above their heads at a much slower pace
Tell them to stop by shouting “stop!”
Keep the hands slow and the feet
fast and maintain a rhythm
2 2
2 Head high
1 Feet tapping
teacher claps 2 Hands above head
4 Stop like a cat 3 Head up
4 Sideways around cones
3 5 Keep it going 3
Harder

Easier
stop more frequently At
the start, keep pupils standing
still – once they have mastered the
actions, they move on to the right
Tips
Check their stopped positions 4 Harder 4

Clap to get them jogging again Move between the cones

Tips
Keep
the pupils’ heads up -
encourage them not to look
at their feet
5
150 151
abcs Dragback
abcs
DRAGBACK 1
1 On your toes
2 Drag the ball
3 Stay in control
4 Use both feet
2
Easier
Use one foot only
Harder
Use
both feet, dragging the
ball from one foot to the other 3
Set up for:
Tips
Dragback Encourage
scoring of number
of drags under control
For this activity, pupils should always
face the centre of the hall, with their feet, Keep pupils in their own space
4
This activity is for foot and
eye coordination
Pupil puts foot on the ball and

drags it backwards then forwards,
then repeats with other foot
152 153
Throw to Volley Throw to

Volley 1
1 One thrower, one hitter

2 Hold racket at bottom of grip
4 Push ball in front
5 No bounce
2
Easier
hrower to stand closer
T
to the volleyer to make
task easier for volleyer
3
Harder
Set up for: Keep

a score
Throw to Volley
Racket to Racket Tips
Keep
pupils’ rackets
up (above the waist)
partners, each line two steps back Pupils
should push
4
from the centre of the hall. the racket and not swing
Thrower must be ready to catch Remind

pupils to swap
the volley return from the hitter over as a group

at partner’s racket
Hitter (volleyer): hand at the

bottom of the racket grip - pupil 5
must try and hit the ball out in
front of them with no swing
154 155
Racket to Volleyball
Racket 1
The activity is partners trying to keep
a rally going without the ball bouncing
Either pupil can restart the racket to

racket rally when a mistake is made
2
1 Push ball in front
2 No bounce
4 Keep a rally going
Easier
3
Use forehand only
Set up for:
Harder
Volleyball
Use backhand if needed Tricks ‘n’ Flicks
Keep a score
For these activities the pupils need
Tips
4 to find a space within the hall.
The activity is using all of the body

Pupils must push the ball and the racket to keep the ball up
in the air. Use the racket, hands,
Pupils to stay on their toes to
enable quick movement of the ball head, elbows to keep the ball up -
try not to let it touch the ground.
156 157
VOLLEYBALL Tricks n
1 Flicks 1
Encourage pupils to develop their
1 Keep it in the air own skills - this will help them feel at
2 Any part of the body ease with the racket and ball
3 Use racket too Before you start, suggest some ideas
Easier
At first let pupils play on their own 2 2

1 Use racket only - on your own
2 Flick it up from floor/both sides
Harder
of racket/change hands/spin ball
Pupils play with their partners, 3 Make up your own tricks
keeping the ball up together
4 Stay in control
Tips 3 Easier 3
Keep pupils in their own space
Simple tricks done well
Remind pupils when to
play with partners
Harder
Use unusual parts of the

racket, handle, edge, etc.
4
Tips
Keep pupils in their own space
Encourage and share tricks
158 159

Lesson 4: The Serve
Scotland: P5 & P6
Set up for:
Jogging
Scissors
161
Jogging abcs Scissors

and in control
1
command then tell pupils to change
direction by clapping your hands
2
2 Head high
teacher claps
4 Stop like a cat
3
Harder
Jog between the cones Set up for:

stop more frequently Scissors
One foot forward with the

Tips opposite hand level with the
Check their stopped positions 4 forward leg, then change legs

162 163
abcs Scissors abcs The Rhythm

1
1 One foot in front
2 Opposite hand in front
3 Change legs
4 Head up
Harder 2
As they become more confident,
pupils can change legs more
quickly - but remind them
not to sacrifice quality
Tips
Keep arms and legs 3

working together
Jump over the line, Set up for:
changing legs as you do
While you are changing legs make The Rhythm
sure the opposite arm is in front
Pupils face inwards with a ball at their feet.
Keep head up
4 This is a test of coordination
Pupils tap toes on the ball, then clap

their hands, then click their fingers on
their right hand, then click with their
left hand - in a consistent rhythm
164 165
abcs The Rhythm OverArm Throw

1
1 Tap toes on ball
2 Alternate feet
3 Clap-click-click
4 Alternate hands
Easier 2
Get pupils working with the ball
At first only use their favourite foot
Harder
Introduce alternate feet and

finally add the clap-click-click 3
Tips Set up for:
Only advance to clap-click-click Overarm Throw

when pupil has mastered the
foot control For this activity, pupils stand in a line down
the hall facing their partners, each line
4 two steps back from the centre of the hall.
The strength of your serve is directly

related to the strength of your throw
Stand sideways to your partner
For good aim, you need an upward

movement of the arm with a
follow through to the partner,
using the leading arm to aim
Keep
the elbow high,
and follow through
166 167
Overarm The Serve

Throw 1
1 Sideways on to partner
2 Ball in palm of hand
3 Elbow high
4 Throw to partner
2
Easier
Harder

3
Score the number of successful
throws and catches
Set up for:
Tips The Serve

Encourage pupils not to For this exercise, pupils stand in
throw too hard but with a line down the hall facing their
good aim and control
4 partners, each line two steps back
The serve uses all the ABCs
Rhythm is very important
With the racket behind the head,

lift (the ball) and swing (the racket)
The hand throwing the ball up

should reach the level of the
chin before releasing the ball
upwards with a gentle push
Working in partners, the catcher

catches the serve and rolls
the ball back to the server
168 169
The Serve Game – Serve

1 to Sandwich 1
The serve uses all the ABCs
1 Elbow high
2 Racket behind your head Rhythm is very important
3 Spare hand level with chin With

the racket behind the head,
4 Place the ball up lift (the ball) and swing (the racket)
5 Gentle push
The
hand throwing the ball up should
2 reach the level of the chin before releasing
the ball upwards with a gentle push 2
Tips
Working
in partners, the catcher catches
It is not about speed,
the serve between the hand and racket (the
it’s about control
sandwich) then rolls the ball back to the server
Aiming is like throwing - it’s the
follow through that matters
Remind pupils when to swap over
3 1 Serve to partner
3
2 Partner catches ball between
hand and racket (sandwich)
3 Keep a score
Easier
4 Keep a score of successful catches
Harder
Keep a score – if the

catcher does not sandwich
the ball, go back to zero
5 Tips
It is not about speed,

it’s about control
Aiming is like throwing - it’s the
follow through that matters
Remind pupils when to swap
over as a group
170 171

Lesson 5: Matchplay
Scotland: P5 & P6
Set up for:
Jogging
Cone Tipping
always face the centre of the hall,
with their feet, hips and shoulders
turned towards it.
173
Jogging Cone
abcs
and in control
1 Tipping 1
Play in partners
command then tell pupils to change The leading pupil must get low to the ground
direction by clapping your hands and with the knees bent turn the cone over,
then immediately move on to the next cone
This introduces pressure as the following
pupil tries to catch up with their partner
2 2
2 Head high
1 Get low to the ground
teacher claps 2 Knees bent
4 Stop like a cat 3 Turn cones over
4 Try to catch next person
3 5 Try not to get caught! 3
Harder

Harder
stop more frequently Turn
cone over first with one
hand and then with the other
Tips
Check their stopped positions 4 Tips

4
Make
sure that cones
Clap to get them jogging again are being turned over neatly
Make sure there is enough F
ast feet between the cones
174 175
Keepy-Ups Keepy-Ups
1
1 Right hand – right foot
2 Left hand – left foot
3 Ball bounces each time
4 Repeat and keep going
Easier 2
Use either side to keep it going
Harder
Strictly
right to left and left to
right
3
Tips
Set up for: Keep

pupils in their own space
Encourage
them to
Keepy-Ups bend their knees
For this activity pupils need to find
a space on their own in the hall.
The activity coordinates 4

the body with the ball
Switching from one side of the body

to another, the pupil keeps the
ball up by using the right hand and
then the right foot, followed by the
left hand and then the left foot
Always let the ball bounce once
176 177
Challengers and Champions Challengers

and Champions 1
1 In pairs (doubles)
2 Make court and net with cones
3 Challengers replace champions
when they score two points
2
Easier
If your pupils are unable to win
two points, players can become
champions after winning one point
Harder
Make the court size smaller
3

Must
go to three points to
Set up for:
become champions
Challengers and Champions
Tips
To become champions,
players need to win two points Mark
out as many courts
as you have space
They must keep the ball
inside the court and the ball Use
cones as the net and other
should only bounce once cones to mark the baselines, to form
the rectangular shape of the court
Players
play up and over the
net and must keep the ball
inside the court
CONCLUSION
You have now completed the five lessons.
We hope you have found the DVD and
handbook helpful and that the pupils
have had a great time learning tennis.
Thank you for delivering tennis.
178 For more information: www.schoolstennis.org 179

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Ages 4-7 years

Ages 7-9 years

Ages 9-11 years

Handbook the DVD

DVD for teachers. It explains why the INTrODUCTION

the DVD can be adapted for children

You need to use the school hall for each 5-week

A note about aerial shots

The Lessons setting up

Racket Ball Bucket Cone

Partner 2 Teams 3 Teams

Ages 4-7 years WARM UP

Remember to stress to pupils

Warming up muscles helps

Warming up gets pupils focused -

You may prefer to shout “change!”

Make sure there is enough

Leave spaces between pupils

Emphasise quality and control

Point out that it’s not how 4 Leave

1 Watch the ball

Side step around the cones

Allow two bounces

Pupils score every time the

Ball is allowed to bounce Harder

Harder 4 before sending it back

Get pupils to hold racket

The ball should bounce once

Introduce scoring, one point Basketball

Swing from low to high For this activity, divide class

Do this as a group to ensure

Ages 4-7 years WARM UP

Start the jogging with a

4 Stop like a cat

Jog between the cones

Check their stopped positions

Make sure there is enough 4 In and out of the cones 4

Leave spaces between pupils

Emphasise quality and control

Pupils need to be balanced and

Pupils side step around the cones

Leave spaces between pupils

Point out that it’s not how 4 Tips 4

c skipPing ROLLING RALLY

1 Lift knees high

Pupils who are less confident/able

Plenty of space between pupils Set up for:

Encourage pupils to keep a ROLLING RALLY

Pupils roll the ball across the hall

Rolling rally Bounce-hit-catch

Pupil does not stop the 3

Working together will contribute

to a longer rally One pupil throws the ball

The ball should bounce once

Bounce- Living Wall

Catcher can allow the ball

Thrower catches the ball

Hitter then rejoins the line

Ages 4-7 years WARM UP

For these activities the pupils should

Remember to stress to pupils

Warming up muscles helps

Warming up muscles helps

You may prefer to shout “change!”

Pupils score every time the

Get pupils to hold racket

The ball should bounce once

Start the jogging with a

Jog between the cones

Pupils need to be balanced and

Remember to stress to pupils

Warming up muscles helps

Warming up gets pupils focused -

Start the jogging with a

Jog between the cones

Hopping involves the arms and the

The activity is moving around the

Catchers: watch the ball

Thrower and catcher

Thrower throws the ball

Hitters (volleyers): volley the ball

Thrower throws the ball underarm to

Remind the hitters to swap

Throwers stand in a line

Each hitter moves along hitting

Start the jogging with a

Jog between the cones

Ball is allowed to bounce before it

Low underarm throw, up and over

Pupil scores each time they

Catcher catches the ball and The

Keep a score - if you miss,

he next lesson, the Festival,

Remind pupils to have the scorecards