1. Use correct grip to hold a tennis racquet
2. Send, receive and stop a ball using a racquet along the ground
3. Use self feed to hit ball to partner

Skill Development:Holding a racquet and self feed

1. I can hold the ball using a correct grip
2. I can hit a ball to my partner using self-feed
3. I can push a ball along the floor to my partner

Apply basic skills to self-feed and participate in net wall games

L Think of an extension of the starter activity story
N Count successful popcorn hits and basketball bounces in a row

Run through the following story with the children allowing time on each section to practise the different skills; they will each need a racquet which will be their frying pan for the beginning of the story.

See picture in skill development for how the children should hold the racquet. They will need a ball each.

• Do a big stretch in the air after a good nights sleep. We have woken up hungry so lets go and make some breakfast.
• We are going to cook some eggs. First, they need to walk around holding the ball (egg) on the racquet (frying pan).
• After breakfast we are going to the park to play basketball—now children should bounce the ball down on the ground with their racquet. After basketball at the park, we are going to the cinema to eat some popcorn—children should now bounce the ball up on the racquet.
• If children find hitting up and bouncing down a little easy, they can try to make a sandwich for lunch—alternate hitting on both sides of the racquets.

Development: Bounce ball using hand, balance ball on the back of hand

Self Feed— See video

• In pairs with one ball, children should practise self-feeding.
• One player using the teaching points for self-feed will attempt the self-feed to hit it to their partner who should stand opposite approximately 3 metres apart ready to catch the ball.
• Children should practise a few goes each and then swap with their partner.

Extension: Children can move further apart so they can practise hitting further distances or hit over a net/bench.

Remaining in pairs children are now going to play a rolling rally.

• Children should stand opposite each other across the playing area ensuring there is a good distance between the other pairs also playing
• Children should push the ball along the floor using their racket towards their partner; their partner should attempt to stop the ball first and then push the ball back to their partner
• When pushing the ball children should hold the racquet behind the ball, strings facing their partner and push through the ball
• Children should try and count how many times they can push the ball back and forth without making any mistakes.

Development: Reduce the distance between pairs.

Challenge: Push the ball back and forth without stopping to push, increase the distance between pairs.

to use the correct grip to hit a self-fed ball.

Self Feed

1. Children should stand with the racquet in their dominant hand or stand with their hand ready (if hitting with hand)
2. The ball should be in their other hand
3. Bounce the ball down on the floor so that it comes back up to approximately waist height and slightly forward of the front foot
4. Swing through with their hand or racquet aiming to hit it to their partner
5. Racquet/hand should end facing the direction in which they wish the ball to travel

1. How do you hold the racquet differently for the different types of hits?
2. What is a self-feed?
3. When might you use a self-feed?
4. How did your grip change when the ball was rolled to your left and your right?