Gymdoor Tennis Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan #: AELP-TSP0200
Submitted by: Michael J. Robinson
Email: robinson3@sympatico.ca
School/University/Affiliation: Saint Michael High School, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Date: November 17, 2002

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12

Subject(s):

Physical Education/Team Sports
Physical Education/Skill Related

Description: Students play indoor tennis on a badminton court with the use of racquetball racquets and an 85g foam ball. It is helpful if students have prior knowledge of tennis scoring and skills.

Goals:

Students will develop skills related to tennis (forehand/backhand groundstrokes, serve, volley, and overhead smashes).

For students to increase their participation in individual/team sports.

For students to develop an appreciation for the sport as a lifelong activity.

Objectives:

Students will be able to keep score during a game of tennis.

Students will be able to follow proper service rotation during a set of tennis.

Students will be able to communicate as a team when playing doubles.

Students will develop strategies that will improve percentage of points won/loss.

Materials:

any tennis instruction book explaining breakdown of skills
badminton court
racquetball racquet per student
85g foam ball (uncoated)

Procedure:
This activity can be used as an alternative to outdoor tennis if tennis courts are not available. Previous knowledge of playing tennis (scoring, strokes, and etiquette) would be helpful. If no previous knowledge, then the teacher must provide information about scoring and stroke development. The teacher should review the following terms: serve, volley, overhead smash, forehand and backhand groundstrokes, topspin, underspin, and Eastern and Continental grips.

The game is played on a badminton court. The badminton net must be lowered to 3 feet. To simulate a service box area, a piece of floor tape can be placed 13 feet from the net. The service tape runs from singles sideline to singles sideline. This distance is the same ratio as the service line on a tennis court. A regular game of tennis can be played using racquetball racquets and an 85g foam ball (the Volley Company produces the truest bounce for this particular type of ball). A lighter ball will not have the same playability to mimic the game of tennis. Students can play games/sets of tennis using all strokes necessary. Use of topspin is extremely advantageous as this will keep the ball from leaving the back of the court if hit too high over the net. Assessment: This activity can be used purely for participation or as an evaluative tool for skill development dependent upon the intention of the teacher. (Teachers may want to construct a rubric to evaluate students on progression of skills.)

Useful Internet Resource:
* Tennis Terminology
http://cbs.sportsline.com/tennis/story/6145343

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