Forehand Stroke Technique

Year Level

Year 6

Duration

60 minutes

Class size

25 students

---

Unit Context

This lesson is Lesson 4 of 16 in the unit titled "Serve and Score: Tennis & Lacrosse", focusing on skill development necessary for net/court games involving object control and striking skills.

---

Australian Curriculum Links

Content Descriptions

• ACPMP092: Practise and apply fundamental movement skills, including object control skills (e.g. striking with a racquet or stick), in modified game situations
• ACPMP094: Refine movement skills to improve performance and recognise how participation in physical activities enhances wellbeing
• ACPMP095: Develop and apply movement concepts and strategies (e.g. spatial awareness) in a range of physical activities
• ACPMP097: Use feedback to enhance their own and others’ performance

These align with Health and Physical Education > Movement and Physical Activity strand for Years 5 and 6.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Explain and demonstrate the correct forehand stroke technique including grip, stance, backswing, contact point, and follow-through.
2. Apply forehand stroke mechanics effectively in a controlled practice setting.
3. Use teacher and peer feedback to improve stroke technique.
4. Understand the transfer of forehand stroke skills to game situations in tennis and lacrosse contexts.

---

Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Description	Resources
0-10 min	Introduction & Warm-up	- Begin with a dynamic warm-up that targets shoulders, arms, and legs to prepare for racquet/stick work

• Briefly introduce the forehand stroke in tennis and lacrosse: why it is important and its application in games | Cones, racquets/sticks, balls | | 10-20 min | Demonstration | - Teacher-led explicit demonstration of the forehand stroke technique focusing on:
  • Grip (e.g. Eastern grip)
  • Stance and ready position (side-on body alignment)
  • Backswing (smooth and controlled)
  • Contact point (in front of body at waist height)
  • Follow-through (completing across the body)
• Use slow-motion and normal-speed examples
• Key teaching points reiterated and check for understanding | Racquets, balls, visual aids (e.g. diagrams on whiteboard or posters) | | 20-40 min | Guided Practice Outdoors | - Students paired up with racquets/sticks and balls
• Step 1: Shadow practice (mimicking stroke without ball) focusing on technique
• Step 2: Controlled forehand hitting to partner under teacher supervision
• Teacher circulates providing specific feedback, correcting technique using cue words e.g. "watch the contact point," "follow through low to high"
• Include simple targets/cones for students to aim at | Racquets, balls, cones | | 40-50 min | Partner Drill Practice | - Students perform a controlled rally (forehand only) with their partner, focusing on technique rather than speed or power
• Encourage communication and positive peer feedback
• Teacher observes and provides guided prompts for refinement | Racquets, balls | | 50-60 min | Reflection & Cool-down | - Group discussion: What aspects of the forehand stroke were easy or challenging?
• Students demonstrate one skill improvement based on feedback received
• Cool-down stretching focusing on arms and shoulders | Stretch area |

---

Assessment & Feedback

• Formative assessment through observation:
  Teachers provide immediate corrective feedback on grip, stance, and stroke mechanics during guided practice.
• Peer feedback:
  Students provide positive, constructive feedback after partner drill.
• Self-reflection:
  Students verbalise what technique element they improved today and why.

---

Differentiation and Inclusion

• Use racquets/sticks of different sizes or softer balls to accommodate varying skill levels.
• Pair students strategically so more skilled students can model stroke technique for peers.
• Provide additional verbal or visual cues for students needing extra support.
• Allow advanced students to practice applying forehand stroke in a simple game context if time permits.

---

Safety Considerations

• Ensure adequate spacing between pairs to avoid collisions.
• Demonstrate safe racquet handling and spatial awareness.
• Monitor weather conditions for outdoor session and adjust accordingly for student wellbeing.

---

Teacher's Notes

• Emphasise technical precision over power to build strong fundamentals.
• Use specific, simple cue words repetitively to reinforce mechanics.
• Connect the forehand stroke skills explicitly to game situations in tennis and lacrosse to maintain relevance and engagement.
• Throughout the unit, refer back to students’ progress to scaffold next lessons.

---

This lesson adheres closely to the Australian Curriculum v9, supporting the development of object control skills and the application of movement concepts in game situations essential for Year 6 Health and Physical Education .