Skills and Techniques in Lawn Tennis

Grade 8 · Physical Education

Semester 2 | Period 5 | Week 27

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Subject: Physical Education

Semester: 2

Period: 5

Week: 27


School Name: __________________________
Teacher’s Name: ________________________
Subject: Physical Education
Grade Level: Grade 8
Date: __________________________
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 27, Period 5
Topic: Skills and Techniques in Lawn Tennis
Sub-topic: Grips, strokes, footwork, and positioning

Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

  1. Describe different Lawn Tennis grips: eastern, continental, and western.
  2. Demonstrate basic strokes: forehand, backhand, serve, volley, smash, and drop shot.
  3. Apply correct footwork and positioning during practical play.

Previous Knowledge
Students already know:
• Basic rules and court layout of Lawn Tennis
• Terminology such as ace, rally, baseline, and deuce

Instructional Materials
• Textbook: Physical education textbooks for Grade 8
• Teaching aids: Lawn Tennis rackets, balls, court diagrams, visual aids of grips and strokes
• Students' notebooks and writing materials

Lesson Development – ABC Model

A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Activity: The teacher will ask the class:
• Which strokes have you tried or seen in Lawn Tennis?
• How do you hold a racket when hitting the ball?
The teacher will record their responses on the board.

Teacher’s Role: Guide a short discussion, correct misconceptions about grips, and introduce the topic.
Learner’s Role:
• Share experiences with strokes or grips.
• Participate actively in discussion.

B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)

Time: 25–30 minutes

Teacher’s Role (Expanded):

  1. Introduction to Grips:
    • Eastern Grip: Best for forehand strokes; palm faces the racket handle.
    • Continental Grip: Ideal for serves, volleys, and slices; comfortable for net play.
    • Western Grip: Used for topspin forehand; allows heavy spin and high net clearance.
    • Explain how grip choice affects shot control, spin, and power.
  2. Demonstration of Strokes:
    • Forehand: Hit on dominant side; step into ball; follow through.
    • Backhand: Single or double-handed; rotate shoulders; follow through.
    • Serve: Overhead motion; toss ball; strike at highest point.
    • Volley: Hit ball before it bounces; keep racket in front; step forward.
    • Smash: Overhead aggressive shot to finish point; timing critical.
    • Drop Shot: Soft touch; ball barely crosses net; used to catch opponent off guard.
  3. Footwork and Positioning:
    • Ready stance: Knees slightly bent, weight on balls of feet, racket up.
    • Split step: Small jump before opponent’s shot to improve reaction.
    • Movement to the ball: Side steps, crossover steps, and short sprints.
    • Balance and recovery: Return to center after shot to prepare for next stroke.
  4. Practical Supervision:
    • Students practice grips and strokes in pairs or small groups.
    • Teacher circulates, provides guidance, corrections, and demonstrations for technique, posture, and coordination.
    • Emphasize safety, proper racket handling, and avoiding collisions.
  5. Interactive Demonstration:
    • Show slow-motion strokes or use a partner to illustrate proper technique.
    • Encourage learners to observe and mimic movements
    • Provide real-life context: how correct grip and stroke improve performance in matches and local tournaments.

 

Learners’ Activities (Expanded):

  • Observe teacher demonstrations of grips and strokes.
  • Practice each stroke using correct grips and footwork in pairs or small groups.
  • Provide peer feedback and ask questions to improve technique.
  • Record observations, take notes for self-reflection, and plan improvements.
  • Optional: video practice sessions for self-evaluation and peer assessment.

 

Assessment Checks (Expanded & Interactive):

  • Observe learners performing strokes and grips correctly.
  • Ask learners to explain the purpose of each grip and when to use it.
  • Check footwork, balance, and recovery positioning during practice.
  • Optional: organize a mini drill competition to assess consistency and control.

 

Notes (Expanded & Detailed):

  • Emphasize safety and proper handling of the racket to avoid injuries.
  • Highlight how grip choice affects shot accuracy, spin, and power.
  • Encourage teamwork and constructive peer feedback during practice.
  • Relate practice to participation in school competitions, community tournaments, or local Liberian events.
  • Reinforce that consistent practice of grips, strokes, and footwork is essential for skill development and match performance.

C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary:
• Teacher asks students to recall the types of grips and basic strokes.
• Students demonstrate one stroke each with proper grip and footwork.
• Highlight the connection between technique and effective gameplay.

Evaluation Method (Expanded):
• Exit slip/quiz: Students write short answers to:
• Name three types of Lawn Tennis grips and the stroke each is commonly used for.
• Identify two strokes and explain when to use them in a game.
• Describe proper footwork for a forehand stroke.
• Teacher collects and quickly reviews answers for understanding.
• Provide oral feedback before class ends.

Assignment (Expanded):
Follow-up Activity:
• Students practice three strokes at home or during PE practice sessions, recording which grip they used and the result of each shot.
• Prepare a short reflection on how footwork affects their ability to hit the ball accurately.

Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies
• Struggling Learners: Provide step-by-step demonstration and simplified practice drills.
• Advanced Learners: Encourage combination drills, such as serving and immediately moving into a forehand rally.
• Students with Disabilities: Use adaptive rackets or modified court space; pair with peers for guidance and support.

Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
• What worked well? ______________________________________________________
• What needs improvement? _________________________________________________
• Students’ engagement level: □ High □ Medium □ Low