Backhand Stroke Basics

Overview

Unit: Tennis Skills for Kids (Lesson 4 of 8)
Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 6 students (adaptations for 3 students if needed)
Age Group: 8-10 years old (Key Stage 2 – Physical Education)
Curriculum Link:

• National Curriculum for Physical Education (DfE, England): Focus on developing competence in a range of physical activities, throwing and striking with increasing control and accuracy.
• Aims Addressed: Develop fine motor skills, coordination, and body control essential for racket sports.

---

Learning Objectives

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

• Demonstrate proper grip for one-handed and two-handed backhand strokes.
• Perform controlled backhand swings with correct posture and follow-through.
• Differentiate between one-handed and two-handed backhand strokes and recognize when to apply each technique.
• Show improved hand-eye coordination and racket control.

---

Equipment Needed

• Junior tennis rackets (size-appropriate)
• Low-compression tennis balls (softer, slower)
• Cones or markers to designate practice zones
• Mini nets or low barriers for drills
• Stopwatch or timer
• Whistles for signalling
• Large visual posters illustrating grip positions and swing phases (optional)

---

Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up & Introduction (7 minutes)

Objective: Prepare students physically and mentally; introduce today’s focus.

• Dynamic warm-up:
  • Jogging around court (1 min)
  • Side shuffles and walking lunges (2 min)
  • Arm circles forward & backward (1 min)
• Racket shadow swings: No balls, practise forehand and then backhand movements (3 min)
• Teacher explanation & demo: Show grips (Eastern backhand grip, two-handed grip), stance, and swing mechanics. Use clear, age-appropriate language and visual aids.

Assessment: Quick questioning – who has tried a backhand before?

---

2. Grip Practice & Positioning Drills (10 minutes)

Objective: Ensure children hold the racket correctly and adopt the proper stance.

• Grip stations:
  • Station 1: One-handed backhand grip. Teacher supports and corrects finger placement.
  • Station 2: Two-handed backhand grip. Emphasis on dominant and non-dominant hand roles.
• Footwork practice:
  • Side steps to get into backhand position using cones set apart ~2m. Students mimic getting ready position without hitting balls.
  • Use of “Simon Says” to engage and randomly drill footwork reactions.

Assessment: Teacher observes hand placement and body position, provides immediate feedback.

---

3. Backhand Swing Mechanics & Wall Practice (10 minutes)

Objective: Develop swing consistency without ball catching variables.

• Individual Swing Practice:
  • Without ball: Students perform 5 one-handed backhand swings focusing on follow-through at 45-degree finish.
  • Then 5 two-handed backhand swings with emphasis on grip transition and swing smoothness.
• Wall Rally Practice:
  • Students stand ~2m from a tennis wall. Using two-handed backhand strokes, rally the ball against wall, aiming for control and rhythm. Encourage trying the one-handed for variety too.
• Encourage self-awareness: "How does your hand feel on the racket?", "Where do you see the ball hitting?"

Assessment: Peer feedback encouraged; teacher highlights excellent demonstration.

---

4. Partner Rally & Target Practice (15 minutes)

Objective: Apply backhand strokes in a controlled, game-like scenario.

• Paired Activity: Students pair off (3 pairs).
• Backhand Rally:
  • Use slow, underarm feeds. Partners attempt to rally 5 shots each using the backhand stroke only.
  • Teacher moves between pairs, assisting with grip and form corrections.
• Target Practice Game:
  • Cones placed in “target zones” on the court.
  • Students attempt to hit balls to targets using backhand strokes.
  • Scoring system (1 point per cone hit) to add fun competition.
• Encourage positive encouragement and sportsmanship.

Assessment: Informal observation and quick verbal questions: "How did it feel to use two hands versus one?" "Which felt easier to control?"

---

5. Cool Down & Debrief (3 minutes)

Objective: Lower heart rate, consolidate learning, and reflect.

• Light jogging and stretching focused on shoulders, arms and core.
• Group circle discussion:
  • What was easy or tricky about today's backhand stroke?
  • Which grip do you prefer and why?
• Teacher highlights key learning points and previews next lesson (related to volleys or backhand volley).

---

Differentiation Strategies

• For less confident students: Smaller swings and focussed grip correction until comfortable. Use balloons to slow the ball down.
• For more able students: Encourage experimenting with direction and speed of backhand strokes. Introduce basic foot positioning variations (open stance/back stance).
• Adaptations for 3 students: Incorporate all drills but include the teacher more actively as a partner for rallies and feedback.

---

Assessment & Feedback

• Use a simple checklist during drills: Grip correctness, swing fluidity, foot positioning, and ball contact consistency.
• Use “peer-coaching”—encourage each child to offer one positive observation and one small improvement point to their partner after rallies.
• Teacher provides verbal, specific praise focusing on technique and effort.

---

Cross-Curricular Links

• Science: Discuss muscle groups used in swinging and coordination.
• Mathematics: Counting scores in target games, measuring distances for cones (metres).
• PSHE: Emphasis on cooperation, respect and resilience through peer feedback and rally practice.

---

Teacher Tips (WOW factor)

• Film students performing backhands and replay briefly to allow self-analysis and fun reflection.
• Use motivational language and creative descriptions (e.g., “Pretend your racket is a sword slicing through the air”).
• Rotate roles: Let children “coach” each other for 2-minute segments to deepen understanding.
• Incorporate short mindfulness/breathing exercises before the rally to improve concentration.

---

This lesson is designed to engage young learners physically, cognitively, and socially, building essential tennis skills while inspiring confidence and enjoyment of sport in line with UK’s national PE curriculum expectations.