Doubles Play Basics

Overview

Age group: 7-9 years old
Class size: 6 students (run with 3 pairs)
Duration: 45 minutes
Unit: Tennis Fundamentals for Kids
Lesson Number: 7 of 8
Focus: Introduction to doubles play – positioning and communication skills

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Curriculum Links

• Physical Education (Key Stage 2) - National Curriculum for England

  • Develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities.
  • Learn how to take part in competitive sports and apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending.
  • Develop agility, balance, and coordination alongside teamwork and collaboration.

• Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education

  • Enhancing communication and cooperation skills through collaborative activities.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Understand the basic positioning strategies used in tennis doubles.
• Demonstrate effective communication with their partner during play.
• Apply simple doubles tactics in modified, age-appropriate games.
• Show improved teamwork and spatial awareness on court.

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Resources

• Mini tennis rackets and soft balls (kid friendly)
• Cones or markers to designate court zones
• Whistles for teacher/staff to manage timing
• Visual cards illustrating positioning (forecourt/backcourt)
• Stopwatch or timer

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Lesson Structure

Time	Activity	Details
0-5 mins	Warm-Up: Dynamic Movement & Racket Handling	Jogging round courts, shoulder rolls, bouncing ball with racket individually to energise muscles.
5-10 mins	Starter Discussion: What is Doubles?	Brief chat introducing doubles concepts, partners, and importance of teamwork on court. Use visual cards to support.
10-20 mins	Positioning Drill: Zones on Court	Using cones, mark forecourt (near net) and backcourt (near baseline). Pairs alternate positions, practice moving and readying.
20-30 mins	Communication Practice: Call and Respond Drill	Partner 1 calls “Mine” or “Yours” before hitting the ball; partner responds by moving. Reinforce verbal + non-verbal cues.
30-43 mins	Modified Doubles Games: Mini Matches	3 pairs play 4-point games on smaller courts with simplified scoring to practice positioning & communication. Rotate partners if possible to build adaptability.
43-45 mins	Cool Down and Reflection	Gentle stretches with focus on breathing. Group reflection: how did communication and positioning help? What can we improve next lesson?

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Detailed Breakdown

Warm-Up (0-5 mins)

• Students jog slowly around courts followed by mobility exercises focusing on shoulder, wrists, and legs.
• Practice balancing a ball on the racket while walking to promote coordination.

Starter Discussion (5-10 mins)

• Engage kids by asking if they’ve played doubles tennis or other team sports.
• Use visual aids: display court zones and explain two players per side.
• Emphasise teamwork, sharing space, and helping each other win points.

Positioning Drill (10-20 mins)

• Setup: Cones mark forecourt and backcourt halves on each side of the net.
• Task: Each pair rotates positions after every 5 balls, one at net (forecourt), one at baseline (backcourt).
• Focus: Staying in assigned zones, moving laterally, being ready to react.

Communication Practice (20-30 mins)

• Drill rules: When one partner intends to hit, they must call “Mine” loud enough for the partner’s understanding. If silent, partner should ask or hesitate.
• Emphasise positive communication tone.
• Teach non-verbal cues like pointing or eye contact.

Modified Doubles Games (30-43 mins)

• Use mini tennis scoring (first to 4 points) to keep games short and engaging.
• Encourage pairs to use learned positioning and communication to outwit opponents.
• Teacher circulates offering feedback.
• Optionally swap partners halfway through to improve adaptability and social skills.

Cool Down and Reflection (43-45 mins)

• Lead a group in calming stretches focusing on breathing.
• Ask open questions: How did talking help? Was it hard to stay in position? What will you try next time?

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Assessment & Differentiation

• Formative Assessment:

  • Observe verbal and non-verbal communication during drills and play.
  • Note ability to switch positions and maintain court zones.
  • Provide on-spot feedback to scaffold learning.

• Differentiation:

  • For less confident players, assign simpler roles initially (e.g., always backcourt).
  • For more able players, add challenge by encouraging strategic shot placement or anticipating partner’s moves.

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Extension Ideas / Home Learning

• Encourage pairs to play 'shadow tennis' at home, practising calling shots and moving in tandem without a ball.
• Suggest watching professional doubles tennis clips to spot teamwork and positioning.

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Health and Safety Considerations

• Use soft balls to minimise injury risk.
• Ensure surface is safe and footwear is appropriate.
• Reinforce safe spacing between pairs to avoid collisions during drills.

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Teacher Reflection Notes

After delivery, consider:

• Were students able to maintain roles and communicate?
• Did the drills encourage active engagement for all ability levels?
• How could you incorporate further strategic thinking in the final lesson?

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This lesson utilises movement, verbal interaction, and adapted gameplay to embed the foundational skills of doubles tennis within a fun, cooperative environment tied to UK PE standards. By actively involving students in communication and role understanding, the lesson fosters not only physical skills but also social and cognitive growth.