Forehand Stroke Focus

Overview

Unit: Tennis Skills for Kids
Lesson: 3 of 8
Duration: 45 minutes
Class size: 6 students
Age group: 7-9 years old (Key Stage 2 - Years 3-4)
Subject: Physical Education
Teacher: [Insert name]

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will:

• Demonstrate a basic forehand tennis stroke with appropriate grip and stance.
• Understand and perform the follow-through movement.
• Apply effective footwork to position themselves for forehand shots.
• Work collaboratively with peers to practice and improve technique.
• Develop hand-eye coordination and control during rally exercises.

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Curriculum Links

• National Curriculum for Physical Education (England, KS2):

  • Develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities.
  • Engage in competitive and cooperative physical activities in a fair and respectful way.
  • Use running, jumping, throwing, and catching in isolation and in combination.
  • Develop simple tactics for attacking and defending.

• Physical Education Association (PEA UK) Standards:

  • Emphasises skill development, understanding of movement principles, and teamwork.
  • Promotes inclusion and differentiation to address varying ability levels.

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Resources Needed

• 6 Junior tennis rackets (sized for children)
• Foam or low compression tennis balls (suitable for beginners)
• Tennis cones or markers
• Portable practice nets (or use lines marked on gym floor or outdoor court)
• Smooth wall surface (for wall rally practice)
• Stopwatch or timer
• Whistle for time management
• Chalk or tape to mark foot positioning

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up (7 minutes)

• Activity: Dynamic warm-up focusing on agility and footwork.
• Instructions:
  • Jogging around the hall/court for 1 minute.
  • Side shuffles between cones set 5 metres apart.
  • “Shadow swings”: practice forehand swing movement without the ball, focus on foot placement and weight transfer.
  • Use music with upbeat tempo to energise children and keep engagement high.
• Rationale: Prepares muscles and joints, focuses pupils on movement patterns critical for tennis.

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2. Introduction & Demonstration (5 minutes)

• Teacher explains:
  • Key grip types: semi-western grip (simple explanation: hold racket like shaking hands).
  • Stance: feet shoulder-width apart, dominant foot slightly forward.
  • Swing path: low to high, emphasis on smooth follow-through finishing over shoulder.
  • Importance of footwork: positioning before hitting, stepping into shot.
• Teacher demonstration: Slow-motion forehand stroke and follow-through.
• Pupil observation: Ask 2 pupils to demonstrate and explain back what they saw to reinforce learning.

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3. Paired Forehand Practice (15 minutes)

• Set-Up: 3 pairs, each facing one another across a 3-metre distance.
• Activity:
  • Alternately tapping the ball softly using forehand stroke, focusing on control and technique not power.
  • After 5 minutes, increase distance slightly to encourage more movement and footwork.
  • Encourage pupils to call “ready” before each stroke and position feet correctly every time—use cones to mark feet placement if needed.
• Teacher role: Circulate, give specific feedback on grip, swing correctness, foot positioning.
• Differentiation:
  • For pupils struggling, use larger foam balls and reduce distance.
  • For more advanced pupils, challenge with controlled placement near cones.

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4. Wall Rally Challenge (12 minutes)

• Set-Up: Each pair moves to take turns hitting forehands against the wall.
• Activity:
  • One pupil hits ball against wall; other retrieves and returns.
  • Aim to create rally of at least 5 consecutive successful forehand hits.
  • Emphasise footwork: stepping forward into shot and balanced follow-through.
• Motivation: Use a scoreboard to track longest rally per pair to add friendly competition without pressure.
• Safety note: Remind pupils about awareness of others when retrieving balls.

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5. Cool Down & Reflection (6 minutes)

• Gentle stretching focusing on arms, shoulders, and legs.
• Sit in circle to discuss:
  • What did they find easy or difficult?
  • What part of the forehand stroke do they feel they improved on?
  • Why is footwork important in tennis?
  • How did working with a partner help?
• Teacher summarises key points and previews next lesson: Introduction to backhand stroke.

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Assessment & Feedback

• Observational notes on pupils’ grip, swing motion, and footwork during paired and wall practice.
• Peer feedback encouraged during paired practice (“Your swing looked really smooth!” or “Watch your feet for the next one”).
• End of lesson verbal quiz/reflection to assess understanding.
• Use self and peer-assessment checklists adapted for age to encourage self-awareness.

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Enrichment Ideas (Optional)

• Introduce simple ball-target games with cones to develop directional control.
• Use video capture to show pupils their swings for visual feedback.
• Incorporate storytelling ("Imagine hitting the ball over a dragon!") to engage imagination and focus.

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Health & Safety Considerations

• Ensure sufficient space between pairs.
• Check equipment for safety and suitability.
• Emphasise warming up and cool down to prevent injuries.
• Monitor weather/temperature conditions if outside.

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Teacher Reflection (Post-Lesson)

• Were pupils engaged throughout the activity?
• Which pupil showed most progress or needed additional support?
• How effective was the paired practice structure?
• Adjustments for next lessons based on observed learning needs.

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This lesson plan combines skill acquisition, physical development, and personal-social skills, aligned with UK standards and designed to foster enthusiasm for tennis within a supportive environment.