KS3 · Physical education · Year 9
Bilateral movement and groundstroke consistency
Net and wall games: overcome opponents in tennis challenges
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
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Your learning goal
I can perform a basic forehand and backhand hitting action with direction and depth.
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Bilateral movement and groundstroke consistency: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.
What you’ll learn
I can perform a basic forehand and backhand hitting action with direction and depth.
Key learning points
- Move: fast feet and consistent foot placement behind and to the side of the ball improves groundstroke consistency.
- Move: taking back the racket in a C-shape then swinging through low to high improves consistency of shots.
- Think: moving early and staying still when hitting helps improve control and accuracy.
- Feel: confidence is built by starting simple then progressing at your own pace.
- Connect: pushing each other slightly outside your comfort zone requires collaboration and helps you improve.
Words to know
- bilateral
- using both sides of the body together in a coordinated way.
- forehand
- a stroke where the player hits the ball with their dominant hand, with the palm of their hand facing the direction of the ball.
- backhand
- a stroke where the ball is hit on the opposite side of the body to the dominant hand, with the back of the hand facing the ball at the moment of contact.
Common mistakes
Pupils add their non dominant hand to the bottom of the grip when hitting backhands.
It is essential that your dominant racket hand is at the bottom of the grip and if you add your other hand for extra control or power it must go further up the racket shaft.
For parents, carers and teachers
- Get pupils working in small groups of similar ability so they can switch partners regularly and progress to more challenging activities as soon as they are ready.