Forehand & Backhand

Overview

Unit: Tennis Fundamentals for Kids
Lesson: 4 of 8
Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 6 students
Age Group: 7-9 years (Key Stage 2, Year 3-4)
Curriculum Links:

• Physical Education (NC 2014): Pupils should develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities, be physically active for sustained periods, engage in competitive sports, and lead healthy, active lives.
• UK Active & Youth Sport Trust PE Outcomes: Developing fundamental movement skills, applying basic tactics and techniques in games.
• Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE): Understanding teamwork, respect, and communication.

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Learning Objectives

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

• Demonstrate the basic forehand and backhand tennis strokes with correct grip and stance.
• Perform controlled forehand and backhand shots during guided drills.
• Apply forehand and backhand techniques in simple game scenarios.
• Understand the importance of footwork and body positioning in stroke execution.

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Equipment

• Tennis rackets (size-appropriate for children)
• Soft tennis balls or low compression balls
• Cones to mark stations and boundaries
• Mini nets or low nets (portable)
• Chalk or coloured tape to mark positions on court
• Whistle or small bell for signals

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Warm-up & Activation (7 minutes)

• Activity: Dynamic Movement Circle
  • Children form a circle and perform polite stretching and movement warm-ups involving tennis-relevant motions: arm circles mimicking racket swings, side lunges, quick side steps, and light jogging around the court.
  • Include 'Simon says' commands for forehand and backhand shadow swings to reinforce muscle memory and keep engagement high.
• Curriculum connection: Promotes physical competence and prepares the body for tennis actions.

2. Introduction & Demonstration (5 minutes)

• Teacher explains difference between forehand and backhand strokes simply using child-friendly language.
• Demonstrate both strokes slowly emphasizing:
  • Grip (Eastern or Continental grip, shown visually)
  • Ready position and stance
  • Swing path and follow through
• Ask 2-3 quick questions to check understanding (formative assessment).

3. Guided Drills & Partner Work (15 minutes)

• Split students into pairs (3 pairs). Each pair has a mini court area with cones defining space.
• Drills:
  • Forehand Volley to Partner: Partners stand 2 meters apart, gently tossing balls for each other to return with a forehand volley, emphasising wrist and stance.
  • Backhand Shadow Swings: One partner feeds balls softly to the other’s backhand side, who practices the swinging motion without hitting ball to allow focus on technique.
  • Footwork Ladder (using cones): Incorporate quick side-steps simulating hitting positions after swings.
• Teacher circulates, offers specific feedback on grip and swing path, encouraging corrections.
• Use of positive reinforcement fosters confidence and motivation.

4. Mini Tennis Game – “King/Queen of the Court” Variation (12 minutes)

• Use smaller courts or marked zones for 3 pairs, each pair competes in short rallies, alternating between forehand and backhand shots, aiming to keep ball in play.
• Points scored for successful rallies of 5 shots or more.
• Rotate challengers to keep the game dynamic and include rest periods.
• Encourage communication and sportsmanship reflections between turns.

5. Cool Down & Reflection (6 minutes)

• Gentle stretching focusing on arms, back, and legs.
• Circle discussion: Students share what they found easy or difficult about forehand or backhand and what helped.
• Teacher highlights progress, links skills learned to next lesson (volley and serve fundamentals).

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Assessment & Differentiation

• Formative Assessment: Continuous observation during drills, use of questioning to check technique understanding.
• Differentiation:
  • Support: For less confident pupils, reduce distance between partners during drills and allow more shadow practice.
  • Challenge: Encourage more confident pupils to experiment with shot placement during games or try stronger swings.
  • Use visual aids (diagrams or handouts) to support understanding.

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Cross-Curricular Links

• Maths: Counting rally shots, basic scoring introduces number concepts.
• English: New vocabulary - forehand, backhand, grip, stance, volley. Encourage using terms in game discussions.
• PSHE: Promote teamwork, encouragement, and coping with success/failure.

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Teacher’s Notes & Tips

• Always model positive reinforcement; children at this age thrive on praise and encouragement.
• Use simple, clear language; avoid overloading children with technical jargon.
• Incorporate short “brain breaks” if attention dips, e.g., a quick fun tennis chant or movement game.
• Consider using video clips or animations for home learning support (not in lesson but recommending for parents).
• Maintain inclusive practice, ensuring all children feel valued regardless of skill level.

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This plan is geared to keeping young learners active, engaged, and confident in fundamental tennis strokes, setting a strong foundation for technical and tactical growth.