Inclusive Teacher Resource Inclusive Tennis Teacher Resource CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

Tennis is fun, great for fitness, ADAPTATIONS 4-7 developing hand-eye co-ordination, This section provides general ideas on how tennis activities can be adapted for spatial awareness and motor skills. It young disabled people, including general, specific and equipment adaptations. can be played by all ages and abilities - boys and girls can play together, so ADAPTATIONS - COMMUNICATION 8-11 it’s ideal for mixed classes.

A range of Makaton signs and symbols, to support the delivery of tennis activity. You don’t need tennis courts to play – it can be played in school halls, playgrounds or sports halls. HOW TO USE THE ACTIVITY CARDS 12-13 Through Mini Tennis, the modified version of A range of activity cards are provided here, which provide ideas for the game, and the wide range of innovative Warm Up, Main Theme and Competitive activities. Each card includes equipment available, this resource provides specific examples on how to make the activities easier and harder. guidance to empower special school teachers and those teaching disabled young people in mainstream education, to deliver tennis OTHER SCHOOLS TENNIS RESOURCES 14-19 effectively. Whilst this resource has been developed to empower special school teachers It also provides signposting information on and those teaching disabled young people in mainstream education to deliver how young disabled people can continue and tennis effectively, a wide range of other resource is available, which could also be progress in the sport, outside of school in the appropriate to use, dependent on the level of ability you are working with. local community.

A DVD is included in this pack, containing PLAYER PATHWAYS 20-25 a 5-minute promotional film, providing an overview of the resource and examples of Information on how young disabled people can progress in tennis, including information on how it can be used. competitive opportunities and how to link with places to play tennis in your local community.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS! 26

Certificates and stickers to positively reward and recognise achievement with the young people participating in tennis activity at your school.

2 3 Inclusive Tennis Teacher Resource ADAPTATIONS MORE INFO

Many young disabled people General Adaptations: Adapting Equipment: have the ability to participate In addition to this When delivering tennis to young disabled A wide range of innovative equipment is fully in tennis, with little or no general and equipment people in schools, you could: available to make the delivery of Mini Tennis adaptation advice, each adaptations. fun, exciting and achievable for all. of the 36 activity cards  Change the size of the court/playing area in this resource contains However, for some people with more In general, you could: specific guidance on how limited functional and physical abilities, to make the activities there are many ways in which tennis  Change the size or type of targets being  Use softer and/or larger balls to make hitting, easier and harder. activities can be adapted to ensure used in some activities and games catching and throwing activities easier that all young people enjoy their experience and can achieve.  Change the scoring method – Mini Tennis uses simple tie-break scoring (i.e. first to 10 points,  Use alternatives to balls – bean bags, In general, we recommend using Mini rather than traditional tennis scoring) balloons, fluff balls (see next page) Tennis - a fun, modified version of the game, for delivering tennis to young  Ensure each activity is able to be  Use brightly coloured balls or those with disabled people in schools. Mini Tennis completed from a seated position bells inside, to assist young people with WIDE uses shorter rackets, smaller courts, a visual impairment RANGE OF slower/softer balls and simple scoring.  Ensure each activity is practiced from a INNOVATIVE static position, before introducing movement  Use alternatives to rackets – hitting hands This section outlines a range of general, and smiley face hitting pads (see next page) EQUIPMENT specific and equipment adaptations  Give pupils more time to react, by allowing more AVAILABLE you can make when delivering tennis to than one bounce before the ball is caught/hit  Use rackets with shorter handles, but young people with a range of abilities. large hitting areas to enable young  Shorten the distance the ball has people to quickly achieve success to be hit/thrown/rolled  Use tape or straps to assist young people with limited to hold the racket

 Use additional grips to make it easier for young people to hold and control the racket “ The Inclusive Tennis Teacher Resource, and free equipment pack, has helped us involve all our SEN pupils in inclusive activities alongside and against their mainstream  Use a tee to enable the ball to be served or hit peers. The sheer enjoyment they had from using the pack was a delight to see.” from a stationary position in some activities

Primary School Head Teacher, Wales

4 5 Inclusive Tennis Teacher Resource ADAPTATIONS

Equipment Examples: Mini Tennis Rackets Hitting Hands Mini Tennis Nets British tennis makes a significant annual Mini Tennis rackets have Hitting hands are an Mini Tennis nets are quick investment into distributing free Mini Tennis shorter handles and large alternative instead of using and easy to assemble equipment to schools. faces, making it easier for rackets. They simply slip and a great way of young people to make onto the back of a young playing the ‘game’ of The following items are included in the contact with the ball person’s hand to increase tennis. Barrier tape is Schools Tennis Inclusive Equipment Pack, successfully. the hitting area available. also a cost effective and available free of charge to a limited number quick way of creating of special schools each year – individual items additional nets. are also available to purchase.

To find out more please visit: www.schoolstennis.org Mini Tennis Balls Juggle Squares Balloon Balls Sponge Mini Tennis balls are Juggle squares can be and Smiley Face ideal for use indoors, with used by young people with Hitting Pads low compression felt Mini limited functional ability These are ideal for Tennis balls better for use and their tactile, colourful practicing throwing and outdoors. They travel slower nature makes them an hitting activities. A balloon through the air, making it ideal tool to assist with is inserted inside the easier for young people to catching activities. machine washable track and receive the ball material ball and they successfully. are caught on the velcro smiley face hitting pad.

Throw Down Lines Fluff Balls “ It is not exaggerating to say that in all my years as a special school P.E. teacher this is the best thought out These can be used quickly Fluff balls can also be and effectively for a range used by young people and differentiated equipment to make mainstream of different activities and with limited functional sport accessible to children with special needs.” are ideal for marking out/ ability and their tactile zoning playing areas. nature makes them an Primary School Head Teacher, Lancashire ideal tool to assist with catching activities.

6 7 Inclusive Tennis Teacher Resource ADAPTATIONS - COMMUNICATION

These are some simple Makaton symbols and signs to help you with basic communication in tennis sessions: It is important to not only adapt Makaton is a visual way When using Makaton: the game to suit the range of to develop communication abilities of your participants skills which helps stimulate  Only use the sign or but to also adapt the way you sounds and words. This symbol for the important communicate to ensure your visual way of communicating word in the sentence HELLO GOOD NEXT/YOUR TURN messaging comes across and in turn helps to encourage everyone is included within the language development,  Remember to speak and activities. Makaton is one form i.e. putting words together. sign at the same time of communication method. Makaton helps understanding, giving the child or adult an  Use clear, short sentences Makaton uses signs, symbols extra visual clue to help and speech to help people to understanding. communicate. Being able to  Remember to make communicate eases frustration Makaton signs help convey eye contact and use facial and gives children and adults meaning, because the signs expression, body language confidence, a feeling of give an extra clue when and gesture well-being, plus social skills speaking, for example including turn-taking, emotional “Hello” and “Drink”. The signs  Use real objects and development, language skills used in Makaton are from mime to give reference and independence. British Sign Language (BSL) and meaning, for example which is the language of the when talking about a tennis Makaton can help children and deaf community in Britain. racket, to the racket, adults who have difficulty with: when talking about serving Makaton symbols help the ball, mime doing it  Communicating learning. A Makaton symbol what they want, is a simple black and white   Use the sign and symbol think or how they feel drawing which shows the for ‘Good’ to give praise meaning of a word.  Making themselves Symbols are lasting and   Have fun! understood permanent. Symbols give a child or adult more time  Paying attention to take in information.   Listening to and understanding speech

 Remembering and sequencing

8 9 Inclusive Tennis Teacher Resource MORE INFORMATION ADAPTATIONS - COMMUNICATION

If you would like to learn to use Makaton, contact The Makaton Charity at: www.makaton.org email: [email protected] or telephone: 01276 606 760

TO LOOK TO LISTEN AGAIN TO DRINK YES NO

10 Makaton symbols and signs used with permission from The Makaton Charity 2011. 11 Inclusive Tennis Teacher Resource HOW TO USE THE ACTIVITY CARDS MORE INFO

These activity cards Each card has some, are suitable for children or all of the following information: Additional copies of of all ages and abilities the activity cards can be downloaded from: 1.  CATEGORY and can be used in a www.schoolstennis.org number of different ways: Agility, Balance, Coordination (ABCs), Main Theme, Competition READY STEADY BOUNCE ABOUT 7

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Build cards together Quality points 1 2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES • Run in different directions and stop with control. Start in ready to form a session • Get ready in a balanced position. Keep body height the same, position not bobbing up and down. • Balance on various parts of the body. Bounce the ball at around waist height. 3. ORGANISATION AND EQUIPMENT • Know the names of tennis shots. Use the cards for additional/ Watch the ball and be aware Bounce with 2 ORGANISATION of spaces and other players alternate hands... new ideas, to build into • Equipment: rackets. Control your racket with a steady wrist. existing sessions 4. ACTIVITY OR ACTIVITIES • Define the playing area and boundaries. • Position the players in the area and demonstrate. Sometimes there are alternative ways • Highlight the need to stay in the area and watch other players to avoid collisions. READY STEADY of doing the activity, which are equally as ...while Use the cards as part ACTIVITY Jog, then get ready... 3 Quality points hopping... beneficial - if the activities are numbered, Players jog around the court in different directions. On the ready command Coordinate arms and of a festival, or circuit legs when running. of the teacher; they stop in a ready position then run to the nearest line and Stop quietly and they are in a progressive order balance (steady) in a particular way indicated by the teacher. Do in different ways: balanced, with knees activity session bent and feet apart. ...while • Without rackets, teacher calls out one foot and one hand, bottom, Head up and still when balancing. skipping... on tiptoes, one knee and one hand etc. Players balance on those parts. 5. EASIER & HARDER • With rackets, teacher calls out , , , , etc. Players get into a position as if going to do that shot. ...while side-stepping... How to make the activity easier or harder Easier Harder ...then...... balanced on tiptoes... Run and stop on a line with both feet in a ready position. Hold the balance positions for different lengths of time. 6. QUALITY POINTS Stand or jog on the spot, on command of ready, players ...on bottom... change to ready position. ...on hand ...backhand... Points you need to look for and encourage and one knee... DISCOVER • What’s the best way to stop when the teacher calls ‘ready’? Bounce the ball using the racket... 7. DISCOVER • Which parts of your body hold you in position when you balance? ...on hand and one foot...... forehand 4 5 Questions you can ask to help • What are you thinking about and where are you looking when you get ready? the children learn for themselves

6 7 8. COMPETITION A competitive version of the activity to use in the last part of the session

12 13 Inclusive Tennis Teacher Resource OTHER SCHOOLS TENNIS RESOURCES

Whilst this resource has Primary Schools Out of School Hours been developed to empower DVD and Lesson Plans Tennis Club Toolkit special school teachers and This is an innovative, child-facing DVD that allows This toolkit has been developed to those teaching disabled generically trained teachers to deliver tennis to make running an Out of School Hours young people in mainstream mixed-ability children by using a ‘virtual coach’ Tennis Club as easy as possible within education to deliver tennis concept; removing the embarrassment teachers primary schools. effectively, a wide range may have from delivering the demonstrations, whilst allowing them to do what they do best – teach! Out of School Hours Tennis of other resources are It shows how tennis can be taught in small areas to Clubs are a great opportunity to available, which could also large groups, whether in the playground or school hall. ‘bridge the gap’ between a young be appropriate to use - person experiencing tennis at school dependent on the level of The DVD and accompanying hand book consists for the first time and participating in of 15 lessons and enables every teacher to deliver a community environment. They are ability you are working with. tennis with the comfort that what is being delivered an easy way for schools to add to the is correct, consistent and fun, ensuring that the range of activities offered to pupils and All the resources listed are child’s first experience of tennis is a positive one! they are a great way of developing a available free of charge by link with a local place to play tennis. attending a Teacher Training Course, or alternatively, Secondary Schools Tennis – they can be downloaded from: www.schoolstennis.org Teacher Resource A comprehensive resource, developed to assist teachers at secondary level to deliver tennis more often and with greater confidence. It consists of 12 lesson plans for varying ages and abilities including complete beginners, three cross curricular lesson plans using tennis as a vehicle to deliver English/ Media, French and History, guidance on Leadership and Volunteering, an introduction to Cardio Tennis plus advice on delivering Schools Competition and a unique Assessing Ability Framework

14 15 Inclusive Tennis Teacher Resource OTHER SCHOOLS TENNIS RESOURCES

Tennis Activity Week Pack Schools Tennis Assembly Video Schools Tennis Registration & Membership The Tennis Activity Week Pack is a pre-prepared week A musical tennis compilation video has been Registration: of cross curricular lessons, based on a tennis theme, developed for use by teachers and coaches aimed at children aged 7-9 years, but can easily be during tennis themed assemblies, or as an Registration is free and aimed at individuals such as extended and adapted for older primary year groups. introduction to a block of tennis sessions. colleagues in the school sport infrastructure, teachers, coaches and anyone interested/involved in developing The pack contains easy to use lesson plans and You can download the schools tennis tennis in schools. worksheets covering; Literacy, Numeracy, Science, assembly video at: www.schoolstennis.org History, Geography, PHSE, Music, Art, Design Many of the resources online are only available to & Technology and PE, with many of the lessons registered users, through an exclusive and personalised incorporating ICT. This shows how tennis and sport area of the website. can help kids in the classroom as well as on court. Membership: Membership is aimed at schools to join for an annual fee - School Games Tennis Toolkit £15 per year for primary and £35 per year for secondary schools (£35 per year for schools covering all ages). The School Games Tennis Toolkit is an interactive CD-Rom, which has been designed for teachers and Membership brings a wide range of benefits, including: the school sport infrastructure, to make competition in schools as easy to run as possible. The guide contains  Online Shop – between 30-40% over 40 resources and templates, many of which can be discount on Schools Tennis equipment edited. This supports one of British Tennis’ key priorities of increasing the number of juniors regularly competing.  Eligibility to enter into the Wimbledon Ticket Ballot Volleys & Values  Eligibility to apply to a biannual Volleys & Values is a cross curricular resource that small grants scheme uses tennis and the Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire young people. ‘Dan the Coach’ and the Value  Priority/free access to some resources Monsters are on hand to help guide you through the 12 lesson plans which are primarily aimed at children aged 9–11 years old, but can easily be adapted for younger or older year groups.

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Tennis School Trips OTHER SCHOOLS TENNIS RESOURCES There are a wide range of tennis related school trips available, throughout the year, for different age groups. Many events offer discounts for groups and juniors. Tennis Leaders  Leading a practice session  Major Events Tennis Leaders is the first step on the tennis Know the attributes and responsibilities A number of high profile, major events and sport career pathway for volunteering of leading a practice session take place in Great Britain such as The and potentially, paid employment. It has been Championships, Wimbledon, The designed to offer a wide range of opportunities  Helping at your school and The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. to young people, providing them with enhanced skills and experience. Learn how to organise tennis activities with large groups in small spaces  Aegon British Tennis Series Tennis Leaders is aimed at 13 years plus and Three high profile events, the content is suitable for pupils and older  Helping at a competition including the Aegon Championships held at juniors just starting out through to adult the Queen’s Club in London, played in the Consider the key actions before, volunteers looking to support their local lead-up to the Championships, Wimbledon. during and after a competition coach, referee or club .   Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum Tennis Leaders is free to deliver and can now be tutored by Licensed and Registered Coaches Competition Organisers Workshop This state-of-the-art museum explores (level 3 upwards) as well as qualified teachers the evolution of tennis from a garden A free 3-hour workshop, designed specifically without the need to go on any specific training. party pastime to today’s world-wide for 16-25 year olds, can be delivered locally professional sport. There are five Tennis Leader modules: by LTA regional staff, to provide the skills to run a range of competitions.  Local club visits:  Core Module – 3 hours: At the training, attendees will be given a Why not think about making a trip to Introduction to tennis Competition Organisers Toolkit, providing your local tennis club, park or centre? You must take this module before the other them with all of the tools and resources Tennis Leaders modules to understand the needed to run competition. Competition  Why not schedule in a school trip as a basics of tennis such as strokes, game Organisers can then play an important culmination of a programme of tennis formats and variations of the sport role in ensuring we keep more young activity delivered at your school? people in the sport.  Why not investigate scheduling in a Additional Modules – 2 hours each: To find out more about Tennis Leaders, school trip to contribute to an element of a P.E. related qualification being  Volunteering at your tennis venue - or to arrange a Competition Organisers Workshop at your school or college, delivered at your school? Learn about what makes a successful please visit: www.schoolstennis.org place to play  Why not consider a tennis related school trip during National School Sport Week?

18 19 Inclusive Tennis Teacher Resource PLAYER PATHWAYS

This section outlines some of the Inclusive Tennis & Competition Physical Impairments further opportunities that are You can play tennis ambulantly or available to young disabled people British Tennis encourages all young disabled players to get involved in tennis whether via through the use of a sports wheelchair, in terms of impairment specific impairment specific sessions and/or integration the choice is yours. If you decide to play coaching sessions and competitions within mainstream activities at your local tennis wheelchair tennis then this integrates from beginner level upwards, venue. This applies to competition also. easily with non-disabled players, the also about linking with places to We encourage all players to play alongside only adaptation is the wheelchair player is allowed two bounces of the ball play in your local community. non-disabled players*, however there are a number of opportunities to progress along before returning it. As long as the first bounce is within the parameters of the For more detailed information on the disability specific player pathways if you wish to court, the second ball can be outside. opportunities available for each impairment follow these as well. Inclusive Mini Tennis Red events are organised and delivered locally with more and group (including eligibility/classification etc), The Tennis Foundation supports a Please visit: www.tennisfoundation.org.uk more events linking in with the School Games. number of wheelchair sessions across and click on ‘Play Tennis’. *An example of this could be that a wheelchair player is the country as well as competitions competing against a non-disabled player, the only change locally, regionally and nationally. would be is they would get up to two bounces of the ball. For the most talented players Learning Disability there is wheelchair tennis on the world stage, the NEC Wheelchair The Tennis Foundation supports a number of Tennis Tour has currently over Learning Disability specific sessions taking place 170 events all over the world! across the country in tennis clubs, community indoor tennis centres and other tennis venues. Coaches of these sessions encourage players to get involved in competition from local fun events to regional and national competitions. In addition, they work in partnership with Special Olympics G.B (SOGB) and The UK Sports Association (UKSA) to provide opportunities for players to compete in national and international events such as the Special Olympic World Games and, at the elite level, the INAS world Games.

20 21 Inclusive Tennis Teacher Resource PLAYER PATHWAYS Linking with a local place to play Many places to play are Tennis Clubmark accredited. Clubmark is a cross-sport quality accreditation for clubs and the LTA Deaf Tennis Mini Tennis rackets are used by the is an accredited partner. Tennis Clubmark players and the specialist ‘sound ball’ is an opportunity for places to play tennis There are no adaptations to the game for allows the players to hear the ball to be recognised for achieving excellent deaf players however there are a number when it bounces and therefore judge standards and includes all the key criteria of opportunities for those who wish to its height, direction and speed. of the national Clubmark programme. get involved in deaf specific events and competitions regionally and nationally. The Tennis Foundation supports a The Tennis Foundation is supporting number of local, regional and national tennis venues to become fully accessible For talented players there are also tennis competitions each year. so that everyone has the opportunity to international competitions in which the GB enjoy playing the game. Deaf Tennis Team compete in, such as the Talent ID Deaflympics, Dress and Maere Cups. Disabled people can play against their We hope that every player maximises non-disabled friends or family, and more To compete in National and International their potential, what ever that level and more clubs across the country and competitions a player must meet the eligibility may be. However we are always on now running both inclusive sessions and criteria of having a average hearing loss the look out for talented players to join impairment specific sessions. of 55 decibels or more in their best ear. our Performance squads within Deaf Tennis, Learning Disability Tennis and Vision Impaired Tennis Wheelchair Tennis. If you know of a talented player let us know! Email us Vision impaired tennis can be played at [email protected] MORE INFO on Mini Tennis courts. Players work out their position on court by touching tactile lines on the court. One of the main rule differences is that players get either one, There are more than 2,600 two or three bounces of the ball depending registered places to play on their degree of visual impairment. tennis across Great Britain.

To find out more about places to play in your local community, please visit: www.tennisfoundation. org.uk/play-tennis/find-an- inclusive-venue/

22 23 Inclusive Tennis Teacher Resource CASE STUDY

WARWICKSHIRE SPECIAL SCHOOLS COMPETITION For the last five years, Warwickshire LTA have organised a special schools competition, linked to The Aegon Classic International Women’s Event.

The format for the events were similar to that of the mainstream competitions, running alongside each other. Special schools across the county were grouped together and competed in two feeder events at tennis clubs – one in the north and one in the south of the county.

The winning teams then progressed through to compete at the final, which was staged at The Aegon Classic event, as part of its community activity programme.

Mini Tennis Red was used as the format for primary school age players and Mini Tennis Orange was used as the format for secondary age pupils. Over 40 players with a learning disability competed against each other.

24 25 Inclusive Tennis Teacher Resource CELEBRATING SUCCESS!

Award Stickers: WELL WELL WELL Award stickers are found DONE! DONE! DONE! within the teacher resource WELL WELL WELL boxset. Additional stickers DONE! DONE! DONE! are available to order from: WELL WELL WELL DONE! DONE! DONE! www.schoolstennis.org WELL WELL WELL DONE! DONE! DONE! Achievement Certificates WELL WELL WELL DONE! DONE! DONE! Achievement certificates are WELL WELL WELL available to download and edit DONE! DONE! DONE! from: www.schoolstennis.org

WELLWELL DONE! DONE! WELL DONE!THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT

SIGNED SIGNED SIGNED

26 27 Registered charity England and Wales (298175)

The Tennis Foundation is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales (02138124).

Registered office: The National Tennis Centre, 100 Priory Lane, Roehampton, London, SW15 5JQ

© The Tennis Foundation, 2016