SKILL
AND ACTIVITY PROGRESSION
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TENNIS
GRADE
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SKILLS |
5 |
6 |
7 |
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ACTIVITY PROGRESSION |
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Grip: forehand,
backhand and service |
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R |
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Basic Strokes:
forehand, backhand, overhead and underhand |
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Serve: bounce and hit,
overhead and spin |
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Stance and Movement:
ready position and footwork |
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R |
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10 Advanced Strokes:
forehand and backhand drive, volley, smash, lob and drop |
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Individual offense |
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Individual defense |
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I = INTRODUCE / R = REVIEW / M = MASTER / A = APPLY / O = OPTIONAL
ACTIVITIES FOR PRACTICING GRIP, STROKES AND SERVE:
GRIP AND
STROKE: The proper grips and strokes
are explained and demonstrated. Each player has a racket. Player A practices
spinning the racket in the hand and stopping the racket with the proper
forehand grip. A practices spinning the racket in the hand and stopping with the
proper backhand grip. On command, A executes the proper forehand or backhand
grip and stroke.
JUGGLE: Each player has a racket and a ball. Player A places the ball on the racket in the forehand position. A tries to "juggle" the ball by using a forehand stroke to keep the ball 1’-3’ in the air while staying in his/her space. A may choose to count the number of consecutive times A can hit the ball up in the air without missing. If A masters the forehand juggle A, can choose to juggle in the same manner, using the backhand grip and stroke. If A masters the backhand juggle, he/she can choose to juggle in the same manner, alternating forehand and backhand grips and strokes.
PARTNER TOSS AND WALL RALLY: A and B
are partners. A has a racket and B has a ball. A stands 25’ away from a wall.
The wall has a line on it at the height of a tennis net (3’6" high). B
stands 10’-15’ away from A with his/her back to the wall. B bounces a ball to A
in a spot where A can execute a good forehand stroke. A attempts to stroke the
ball off the wall just above the line. A and B work together to retrieve the
ball. B tosses A 4 more balls in the same manner. A and B switch roles. The
activity continues in the same manner. When A and B master the forehand stroke,
the same activity can be repeated for the backhand stroke. When A and B master
the backhand stroke, the same activity can be repeated from the ready position.
When A is in the ready position B, tosses the ball to A, without telling A
which side it will be on. A is challenged to make the appropriate stroke. The
activity continues in a similar manner.
PARTNER SERVE OFF WALL: A and B are partners. A has a racket and a ball. A
stands at the serving line, facing the wall. B stands 15’ behind A facing the
wall. A attempts to serve by bouncing and hitting the ball over the line on the
wall. A and B work together to retrieve the ball. A serves 4 more balls in the
same manner. A and B switch roles. The activity continues in the same manner. When
A and B master the bounce serve, the same activity can be repeated for the
overhead serve. When A and B master the overhead serve, the same activity can
be repeated for the spin serve.
TEAM SERVING: The class is divided
into teams with 3-5 players on each team. Each team is given a tennis court.
Each player has a racket and a ball. Team A lines up behind the serving line.
On command, the first player (A1) attempts to hit a legal serve to the proper
service court. If A1 serves the ball legally Team A earns 1 point. A2 steps up
immediately and attempts a serve in the same manner while A1 is retrieving
his/her ball. When players retrieve their balls, they return to the line. The
activity continues in the same manner for the time allotted. Each team keeps
track of their total points earned for each legal serve.
ACTIVITIES FOR PRACTICING ALL OF THE SKILLS LISTED ABOVE:
SHADOW DRILLS: Players are in personal space, 15’ apart. One or two
players may be chosen to help demonstrate. The teacher and demonstrators are in
front of the players. All players are instructed to "shadow" the
teacher by doing everything he/she does. The teacher and the demonstrators turn
their backs to the players to follow their movements. The players are verbally
instructed while they "shadow" the following progression of
movements:
- Proper grip, ready position, forehand, and backhand strokes.
- Proper footwork in moving forward, backward, side to side, and diagonally (simulating all the footwork used in a game).
- Proper footwork (as described above) combined with the forehand and backhand strokes. They return to the ready position in the center of the court after each stroke.
- Full game conditions: executing all serves and strokes from a variety of positions.
The teacher and demonstrators can also face the players. Players are again instructed to follow the teacher’s movements. The same progression can be repeated. The only difference would be that when the teacher executes a forehand shot, the players would be executing a backhand shot and vice versa.
SERVE AND WALL RALLY: Player A has a racket and a ball. A stands at the serving line and legally serves the ball off the wall over the net line. A attempts to return the ball to the net line, using the appropriate stroke. The activity continues in the same manner, until A commits an error. A then returns to the serving line and continues in the same manner. A is challenged to master the bounce serve and basic strokes through participation in this activity. A may then choose to try mastering the overhead and spin serves and the 10 advanced strokes in the same manner.
WALL TENNIS: This activity is designed to improve fundamental tennis skills and provide successful, maximum participation for students of all skill levels. The game is similar to regular tennis singles. A and B play against each other.
- Player A serves the ball from behind the service line. There is no center service line. A has two tries to make a legal serve. It is a legal serve if the ball hits the wall above the line and bounces (lands on the ground) within the boundaries of the court.
- Player B must return the ball after the first bounce. B must make a legal return by hitting the ball off the wall, above the line.
- A can return the ball to the wall by hitting the ball before it bounces or by hitting it after the first bounce. If the ball lands within the boundaries of the court, A must return the ball (before it bounces a second time) by hitting it to the wall above the line. If the ball lands outside of the boundaries of the court, it is out.
- The ball is rallied in the same fashion, until A or B commits an error.
ADVANCED STUDENTS may choose to serve and score points according to regular tennis rules.
BEGINNING STUDENTS may choose any of the following modifications for more successful participation.
- The ball may be bounced and served underhand.
- The ball may be played off any spot on the wall. The ball does not have to hit the wall above the net line.
- The ball may be played off the first or second bounce.
- The students may choose to score using paddleball or racquetball rules.
- The students may choose to "rally" and not keep score. (See the Serve and Wall Rally activity listed above.)
PARTNER RALLY CHALLENGE: A and B rally on ½ of a tennis court. A and B follow the rules for regular tennis. A and B attempt to achieve the highest possible number of consecutive legal hits in each rally. They are constantly challenged to try for their best score.
MODIFIED TENNIS: Advanced players may choose to serve and score points according to regular tennis rules. Beginning players may choose any of the following modifications for more successful participation.
1) The ball may be bounced and served underhand.
2) A slower moving, restricted flight ball may be used.
3) The ball may be played off the first or second
bounce.
4) Players may choose to score using paddleball or
racquetball rules.
5) Players may choose to "rally" and not keep
score.