Tennis Skills Starter

Overview

A 45-minute engaging introduction to tennis for Year 7 SEN students. This lesson incorporates parachute activities to build focus and teamwork, followed by foundational tennis skills tailored to individual needs and abilities. The lesson aligns with the National Curriculum for England’s focus on developing competence and confidence in a range of physical activities, promoting teamwork, and applying rules and tactics.

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National Curriculum Links

• Key Stage 3 - Physical Education:
  • Develop competence, control, and fluency in a range of physical activities (NC 2014).
  • Use tactics, strategies and composition to overcome opponents in direct competition through team and individual games (tennis as an individual game) (NC 2014).
  • Develop communication skills and work collaboratively with others (NC 2014).
  • Engage in safe and effective physical activities and understand the importance of warm-ups/cool-downs (NC 2014).
• SEN considerations:
  • Adapt activities to enable access and engagement while promoting physical, social and cognitive development.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Participate in a group warm-up using the parachute to develop coordination and teamwork.
2. Demonstrate basic hand-eye coordination with tennis rackets and balls.
3. Understand and practise simple tennis skills: stationary ball control and gentle forehand hits.
4. Exhibit positive social interaction and communication during paired activities.
5. Apply rules related to hitting and ball control in a fun, supportive setting.

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Equipment Needed

• Parachute (large, colourful)
• Foam tennis racquets (lightweight and suitably sized)
• Soft tennis balls or foam balls
• Cones for station marking
• Visual aids with simple rules/images
• Timer or whistle

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Lesson Structure

1. Welcome and Parachute Warm-up (10 minutes)

Purpose: Engage students physically and socially, build group focus, develop gross motor skills.
Activity:

• Gather students in a circle holding the parachute edges.
• Begin with gentle lifting and lowering together, then progress to gentle shaking to create “waves”.
• Add challenges such as:
  • Rolling the ball on top of the parachute without dropping it.
  • Creating a “mushroom” by lifting the parachute high and sitting underneath it.
• Emphasise listening skills and teamwork throughout.
  Assessment: Observe participation and ability to follow instructions and cooperate.

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2. Introduction to Tennis Equipment and Safety (5 minutes)

Purpose: Familiarise students with rackets and balls; set expectations for safety.
Activity:

• Show and briefly demonstrate how to hold the foam racket comfortably.
• Introduce the ball – focus on gentle throws and catches.
• Establish ground rules for safety: awareness of space, gentle swings, looking before swinging.
  Assessment: Question students briefly to check understanding.

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3. Basic Ball Control and Hand-Eye Coordination (10 minutes)

Purpose: Develop foundational racket skills and coordination using adapted equipment.
Activity:

• Station 1: Students bounce a ball gently on racket strings (1-2 hands) while seated or standing.
• Station 2: Partnered activity throwing and gently hitting the ball to each other within a short distance.
• Use cones to mark stations for clarity and structure.
  Adaptations: Provide tactile or verbal prompts; allow sitting or standing as needed.
  Assessment: Use observation checklists noting racket grip, ability to track and hit ball, and engagement.

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4. Forehand Hit Fundamentals (10 minutes)

Purpose: Introduce the swing motion and forehand hit in a simplified and supportive environment.
Activity:

• Demonstrate a gentle forehand swing, using slow, exaggerated movements.
• Practice swings without balls first (“shadow swings”).
• Then, under supervision, practice hitting a stationary ball off a cone or soft toss by the teacher.
• Allow extra space and time for each student.
  Assessment: Provide immediate constructive feedback; encourage self and peer recognition of achievements.

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5. Mini “Rally” Fun Game and Cool Down (7 minutes)

Purpose: Reinforce skills through a fun, low-pressure cooperative game and gradually reduce heart rate.
Activity:

• Set up mini ‘rally’ zones where pairs try to hit the ball back-and-forth over a short distance.
• Encourage praise, turn-taking and simple strategic movement.
• Finish with a gentle group stretch facilitated with the parachute for calm and sensory feedback.
  Assessment: Observe communication, cooperation, and ability to apply basic skills.

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Assessment and Reflection (3 minutes)

• Use simple thumbs-up/down or smiley-face cards for students to indicate how they felt about the activities.
• Teacher notes on individual progress and areas for next lesson focus.
• Praise key achievements and positive behaviours to promote confidence.

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Differentiation and SEN Adaptations

• Use foam, lightweight rackets and larger, softer balls for ease of use.
• Provide clear visual and verbal instructions; use demonstration repeatedly.
• Offer one-to-one support if needed; allow physical and seated modifications.
• Incorporate sensory elements such as the parachute for engagement and sensory regulation.
• Scaffold tasks with step-by-step goals and plenty of encouragement.

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Teacher Notes

• Maintain positive and inclusive language throughout—focus on effort and participation over perfection.
• Keep transitions smooth and predictable to aid SEN learners.
• Use music or rhythmic clapping during parachute time if appropriate to heighten engagement.
• Encourage peer support to build social skills.

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By combining sensory, coordination, and fundamental tennis skills in an accessible format, this lesson meets the National Curriculum’s requirements while catering sensitively to SEN students’ needs. The parachute start offers an exciting and novel way to unite the group and physically prepare them for learning tennis skills.