Lesson Four
Lesson 4 OVERVIEW This lesson focuses on net play and volleying. It then progresses to link ground strokes and volleys by practicing the approach shot. Equipment Tennis rackets, tennis balls orange/green, hoops, throw-down lines. LEARNING OUTCOMES ALL PUPILS WILL... Know the difference between a volley and a groundstroke. Be able to hit a volley into the court. Know that you link groundstrokes and volleys by playing an approach shot. MOST PUPILS WILL... Understand why and how to adapt their technique. Be able to hit both forehand and backhand volleys. Will be able to play an approach shot and thus link volleys and groundstrokes. Level 5C Level 5B/5A Level 5A/6C SOME WILL HAVE PROGRESSED FURTHER AND... Will be able to play both backhand and forehand volleys both low and high balls successfully into court. Will be able to direct a volley into a gap. Will understand when within a rally an approach shot can be played. KEY PROCESSES 2.1 a, b 2.1 a, b 2.2 a, b Introduction Ask pupils to attempt a no bounce rally as part of the warm up. Ask the pupils what they discover e.g. Pupils discover the technique and position to play a volley. This game could then be revisited at the end of the session to see how well they can apply what they have discovered. Tactical problem taking time away from the opponent. Ask pupils for a defi nition of a volley (ball hit before it has bounced). Explain that a volley is played from a position at the net (about a third of the way back from the net to the service line) and therefore naturally you are much closer to the opponent. Ask the class what this may mean in terms of adapting technique to a new situation. (Less time therefore technique will be much more of a block than a swing). Explain that getting to the net takes time away from the opposition. Ask how this may effect their shots (challenges movement and balance, limits choice). Explain that to get to the net, you should have a ball that bounces shorter in the court and approach by hitting to the weaker side (usually the backhand). Ideally your opponent should be out of position fi rst to make the approach and volley easier. 2 Secondary Schools Tennis - Teacher Resource Year 8 Scheme of work Lesson Four 3
Activity One Activity Two REACT N VOLLEY UP N VOLLEY Teacher to demonstrate volley. Organisation Defi ne the court area and the volley position (from the net racket, stretch and step back). Position players and demonstrate. Highlight safe use of rackets and balls. Organise players into twos, one at each end. Activity In pairs Player 1 feeds the ball to Player 2, forehand side. Player 2 starts with racket out at the side and in front Player 2 pushes the ball back to Player 1 who catches (repeat three times). Player 1 then feeds to the backhand side (repeat three times). Players swap. Players then start from ready position and feeder can feed either side. Volleyer to return to ready position after each volley. Easier Player 2 catches the ball with the hand. Player 2 bats the ball with a hand with the palm forward. Start with the racket out at the side ready to volley. Harder Player 2 does a split step just before Player 1 throws the ball. Player 1 throws the ball more quickly to help Player 2 react quickly. Player 1 hits the ball to Player 2. Competition Cooperative: In fours in a 2v2 race. Pair one do throw, volley and catch as many times as possible while Pair 2 run all the way around the court one at a time. Change roles. The pair with the highest number of catches wins. Balanced ready position. Short block action. Point strings to target area. Organisation Defi ne the court area and the volley position in relation to the net. Position players and demonstrate. Highlight safe use of rackets and balls. Organise players into twos. Activity In pairs players start on the service line. Player 2 starts to move forward and Player 1 calls out stop and feeds the ball. Player 2 split steps in a ready position and moves forward to volley. After fi ve throws players change roles. Easier Players start at the net. Feeder gives only forehand or only backhand volleys. Harder Players rally and move in to volley when the ball drops short. Competition In pairs players feed the ball in from the baseline and play out the point. They approach on a short ball and score extra points for a winning volley. Split step and get ready to move. Hit from a good balanced position, stepping forwards to meet the ball. Keep the racket head higher than the hand on contact. Keep the action short. 4 Secondary Schools Tennis - Teacher Resource Year 8 Scheme of work Lesson Four 5
Plenary (Q&A)... Activity Three APPROACHING THE NET What is the difference between a groundstroke and a volley? What is the shot called which you hit just before coming to the net? How is the technique of a volley different to that of a groundstroke? When might you come to the net? Players (1/2 court) Player 1 Two players - as per diagram. Three players - two at one end, rotate after each rally, player at the other end stays on. Four players - two at each end rotating after each rally (remember to swap opponents!) Five players - three at one end, two at the other. Rotate after each rally. Six players - three at each end. Rotate one end after each rally and the other end stay on for two rallies. Which shot should you hit to when approaching the net? Safety Points With more than two players use cones to mark one safe area at the back of the court for waiting players. ACTIVITIES Stage 1: Cooperative Activity In pairs, one player on baseline and one on service line. The player on the service line feeds the ball in to the baseline player who returns the ball for feeder to volley. Aim to hit both a forehand and a backhand volley. Stage 2: Competitive Activity Player 1 feeds short ball to Player 2. Player 2 hits approach and plays out the point. The point may be won either on the approach or subsequent volleys. 6 Secondary Schools Tennis - Teacher Resource Player 2 Control racket path in a straight line. Stabilize wrist position with a contact point in front. Player to split step when the opponent hits the ball. Year 8 Scheme of work Lesson Four 7
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