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New
New
Year 4

Develop forehand (underarm shots) using paddles

I can play a forehand shot with increased accuracy using a paddle and hit the ball into space to try win points against my opponent.

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New
New
Year 4

Develop forehand (underarm shots) using paddles

I can play a forehand shot with increased accuracy using a paddle and hit the ball into space to try win points against my opponent.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: hitting the ball accurately into space with a forehand shot increases our chance of scoring a point.
  2. Move: being in the ready position helps us to hit a forehand shot into space after letting the ball bounce only once.
  3. Think: reflecting on our forehand accuracy helps us to understand where and why we need to aim for the space on court.
  4. Feel: continuing to develop the accuracy of our forehand shots even when we feel frustrated shows self discipline.
  5. Connect: competing fairly when playing a game against your opponent shows you are being respectful.

Keywords

  • Space - an open area where your opponent isn't standing

  • Accurately - the ability to control where we hit an object

  • Forehand - a shot in which the palm of your hand faces the direction in which you are hitting the ball

Common misconception

Pupils may think that hitting the ball into the channel is all they have to do to score a point, and they stay still after their shot.

Pupils aim for channels to create space to try win the overall point and hitting the channel doesn't instantly result in a point being scored. After each shot, pupils should try to return to the ready position.

The tasks can be differentiated by changing the width of the channel. Allow pupils to choose whether to make the channel bigger or smaller. Offer pickleballs/alternative rather than a tennis ball. Use alternatives such as hand, hand paddles, other rackets if pickleball paddles are not available.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

1 paddle per pupil, 1 pickleball (or alternative) between 2 pupils, 30+ cones of different colours

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

4 Questions

Q1.
Where is pickleball played?
on a pitch
in a pool
Correct answer: on a court
Q2.
What part of the foot should we use in the ready position?
heels
trainers
Correct answer: toes
Q3.
What should you do if you make a mistake?
Correct answer: keep trying
give up
cry
Q4.
When you hit a forehand, where are you aiming to hit the ball?
Correct answer: into space
into the net
upwards

4 Questions

Q1.
Why does it help to reflect on your performance?
Correct answer: to improve
to relax
to argue
Q2.
How can you show respect in a game?
cheat
Correct answer: play fairly
don't make mistakes
Q3.
Where on a court is a channel in pickleball?
front
Correct answer: side
back
Q4.
Why do we aim for the channels in a rally?
Correct answer: to create space
to work together
to serve well