Underarm Tennis Serve

Overview

This 50-minute lesson focuses on developing Year 8 pupils’ underarm serving technique in tennis, specifically tailored to engage a class of 27 students, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The plan aligns with the National Curriculum for Physical Education (England), promoting physical competence, confidence, and knowledge of tactical skills.

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National Curriculum Links

• Pupils should be taught to:
  • "Use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and in combination."
  • "Play competitive games, modified where appropriate [e.g. for SEND pupils], and apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending."
  • "Develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance."
  • "Evaluate their own and others’ performance."
    (Physical Education Programme of Study - Key Stage 3)

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Learning Objectives

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

1. Demonstrate the correct technique for an underarm tennis serve with increased accuracy and consistency.
2. Understand key tactical reasons to choose an underarm serve during a tennis game.
3. Show improved coordination, balance, and control when performing the underarm serve.
4. Reflect constructively on their own and peers’ performance using simple, clear criteria.

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Resources

• Tennis balls (soft foam balls for SEND learners)
• Tennis racquets (size-appropriate for Year 8)
• Cones to mark serving areas
• Visual cue cards demonstrating serve steps
• Low nets or markers suitable for underarm serving
• Stopwatch or timer
• Score sheets with simplified performance criteria

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction and Warm-Up (10 minutes)

• Welcome & objective sharing (2 mins)
  Briefly explain the lesson focus: improving the underarm serve in tennis for control and accuracy.

• Differentiated warm-up (8 mins)
  Whole class: Dynamic movements to increase heart rate – jogging, side-steps, gentle arm swings.
  SEND adaptation: Station-based activities with sensory cues (e.g. soft stretchy bands, tactile balls) to engage proprioception.

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2. Teaching the Underarm Serve Technique (15 minutes)

• Demonstration (5 mins)
  Teacher models correct underarm serve form with clear verbal and visual cues:

  • Grip and racket preparation
  • Ball hold and release point
  • Swing path (low to high) emphasising smooth motion
  • Follow-through

• Guided practice (10 mins)

  • Pupils practise in pairs, taking turns to serve underarm over a mini net or towards a taped target zone.
  • Use visual cue cards to reinforce technique steps.
  • Teacher and TA support SEND pupils with individual prompts and adapted equipment (lighter balls, modified stance).

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3. Skill Application Game – Target Serve Challenge (15 minutes)

• Setup:
  Divide class into three groups (9 each). Rotate between stations every 5 minutes:

  1. Accuracy station: Serve the ball to hit between cones 2m away. Keep score for each successful serve.
  2. Power & control station: Try to serve over the net with sufficient power but landing within a marked box.
  3. Peer feedback station: Pupils watch peers serve and give positive, specific feedback guided by simplified criteria (e.g. “Great follow-through!”, “Try to keep your arm straight”).

• SEND pupils receive additional encouragement and adjusted targets (larger cones/areas, soft balls).

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4. Cool Down and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Physical cool down (~5 mins)
  Gentle stretching focusing on shoulders, arms, legs
  Deep breathing exercises to promote relaxation

• Group reflection (5 mins)
  Class discusses:

  • What did you find easy/difficult?
  • How did you improve your serve?
  • Why is underarm serving useful in tennis?
    Teacher models note-taking on board, encouraging simple self-assessment phrases.

• SEND pupils have option to draw their feelings about the lesson or use communication cards.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Formative:
  Observation of technique during guided practice and target serve challenge, noting improvements and adaptations for SEND pupils.

• Peer Assessment:
  Use of simplified feedback criteria fosters inclusivity and social skills.

• Self-Assessment:
  Verbal or visual reflections scaffolded with sentence starters (“I can…” / “Next time I will…”).

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Differentiation Strategies

• Use of soft foam balls and lightweight rackets for pupils needing motor skill support.
• Visual and tactile cues to support understanding for SEND pupils.
• Flexible activity pacing to allow breaks or sensory regulation.
• Peer buddy system pairing more confident players with SEND pupils for peer modelling.

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Cross-Curricular Links

• English: Improving vocabulary linked to tennis actions and feedback language.
• PSHE: Encouraging teamwork, respectful communication and resilience during skill challenges.

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This highly structured and engaging lesson will develop pupils’ underarm serve skills within a supportive and inclusive environment, aligned firmly to the National Curriculum for Physical Education for Key Stage 3. It offers SEND-sensitive adaptations and innovative formative assessment strategies to maximise learning impact and confidence on court.