1. Demonstrate an underarm serve (over cones or benches) to start a game
2. Explain when a service is used
3. Serve with some accuracy to targets

Skill Development: Serving

1. I can perform an underarm serve
2. I can serve to targets on a court

Play in a competitive game against an opponent

Use Tennis serving skills to start a game

L Explain when service is used in tennis

N Keep a score in rally games

Play ‘Follow the leader.’ 

Give each pupil a ball and choose one leader. The leader should move the ball in different ways, and the other pupils should copy them. They can throw the ball up and catch, bounce and catch, tap up with their hand. Ensure to swap the leader.

Extension: Children can have rackets and balls.

Introduce the underarm serve. Pupils should practice in twos. Give each pupil a cone and position them approximately 2 metres away from their partner.

• Begin by hitting the ball softly to your partner
• Each time you hit the ball successfully to your partner take a step backwards, so you are hitting from further away
• The receiver should be stood in the ready position to receive and should try to catch the ball with the racket
• Introduce a bench or net for the pupils to hit over

Extension: Introduce the serving diagonal rule. Pairs should join with another pair and now serve diagonally to each other.

Serve Rally

Players now play in a game where children use their serving skills to start the game. If players had begun serving diagonally, then they must start the games serving diagonally. After the service has taken place the pairs should aim to keep a rally going. Teacher to decide how many times the ball is allowed to bounce e.g. the ball can bounce twice before being returned.

Children should try and keep a score and ensure they switch the player who starts the game so both can practise serving.  Swap players regularly so they get to experience different opponents.

Challenge: Use racquets, increase the size of the court.

Development: Hit with hand.

to perform an underarm serve to start a rally.

Serving

1. Stand sideways, hold the ball out in front of you and close to the racquet
2. Throw the ball lightly into the air (not too high above the racquet head)
3. Swing forward with the racquet as the ball comes down to hit the ball

1. What other games do you serve diagonally?
2. Where are you aiming your serve?
3. Why do you have a sideways stance for serving?
4. Do you know any service rules?