GRADES 5-8 LESSON FOCUS Tennis Skills — Volleying, Serving

SHAPE Standards: DPE Outcomes: Equipment: 1 • I can rally with a partner over a net. • One racquet and cut foam training ball for • I can assess the qualities of tennis that make it a each student lifetime activity. • Tumbling Mats or net (volleyball etc.) • Rubber marking spots

Instructions Volleying A volley is any return that is hit before it bounces. The volley can be explained to students as a blocked shot that is hit with the racquet held firmly in the path of a ball like a “stop sign.” There is no swing or follow through with the volley shot and the ball is hit out in front of the body. The following are key points of emphasis for the volley shot. 1. The shake hands grip is used for the volley shot. The wrist is held firm in either case. 2. The side of the body is turned sideways to the target before contacting the ball. 3. The ball is contacted in front of the body; the ball is blocked, not hit. There is no follow-through.

For the following activities, a beanbag or yarn ball can be used in early stages. The beanbag will drop to the floor and is easy to block. The yarn ball can be volleyed a short distance so students can work with a partner. The final progression would be to the transition ball. Have students “choke up” on the racquet when they are first learning the volley. 1. Partner Toss, Volley, and Catch. Using a fleece ball, one partner tosses to the forehand or backhand of their partner. The partner volleys it back to their partner who catches it. Begin with partners three steps apart. Change roles after 6 tosses. 2. Partner Bump Feed, Volley, and Trap. Using a fleece ball, one partner bump feeds the ball to the other. The ball is returned with a volley to the feeder who traps the ball against their racquet. Change roles after 6 tosses. For a variation, start students three steps apart and allow the feeder to back up a step each time a successful volley and trap is made. 3. Circle Volley. Begin by using a fleece ball and then progress to a transition ball. Place students in a circle of three students. The goal is to have players volley the ball so it goes around the circle twice. The ball can only be volleyed once by a player. Circles score a point if they make it around twice. They must start over after a miss by any player.

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Skill Practice Stations Station 1: Racquet and ball handling skills. a. Pick up the ball with foot and racquet. b. Toss ball into the air with foot and racquet and catch it on the racquet. c. Tap or toss the ball in the air, make a full turn and catch the ball on the racquet. Let it bounce once if too difficult. f. Bounce ball in the air, switch racquet to the other hand. Station 2: Drop and Hit Forehands. Partners use a rope or line as a net. One partner drops and hits the ball over the net using a forehand stroke and a rally ensues. The other partner begins the next rally. Station 3: Forehand and Backhand Hits. Partners are about 10 ft from each other. One partner starts with a drop hit forehand. Partners try to rally the ball and accumulate four returns using both forehand and backhand strokes. Roles are reversed for the next drop and hit after a completed rally. Station 4: Partner Target Rally. Begin the rally with a drop-hit serve. After the serve, every shot that goes in the target (a hoop or carpet square) earns a point. Change partners regularly after one minute of play. Station 5: Toss, Turn, and Serve. Using fleece balls, players toss the ball, turn and serve the ball at the wall. Focus on tossing the ball until you find an acceptable toss. Follow through with the racquet. Station 6: Partner Bump Feed, Volley, and Trap. Using a fleece ball, one partner bump feeds the ball to the other. The ball is returned with a volley to the feeder who traps the ball against their racquet. Change roles after 6 tosses.

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Teaching Hints When introducing the volley, have students practicing setting up in the forehand and backhand volley position and checking the direction of their racquet face. Remind them that the angle of the racquet face determines which way the ball will travel. Focus on the forehand volley first because it is easier for students to perform. The racquet is easier for them to see so they can set the racquet face at the right angle. If students are having trouble with the backhand volley, stick to the forehand volley. Success is more important than presenting an activity that is too difficult for them to accomplish. Punch at the ball rather than swing. Hold the racquet firm and block the ball. Volleying requires quick feet. In the early stages of teaching the volley, have students start in the ready position. Call out forehand or backhand and get them in the habit of moving their feet into position for the volley If the range of ability varies somewhat in a class, different objects can be used at the students’ discretion. They can choose the object they would like to volley based on their ability level. Using stations to teach tennis skills offers a chance to work individually with students who need additional help. Allow 2-3 minutes at each station for students to practice. Place emphasis on working in a responsible manner. Set up the tennis station signs around the perimeter of the teaching area. If necessary, explain one station at a time. It is usually counterproductive to sit the class down and explain all the stations. They can’t remember all in explanations and fidget because they want to get started. Get students active and then move between stations while students are engaged. Put the necessary equipment at each station and ask students to replace the equipment where they found it before they move to the next station.

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