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New
New
Year 4

The forehand and backhand in game situations

I can use good decision making to create space by moving my opponent in order to win a game.

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New
New
Year 4

The forehand and backhand in game situations

I can use good decision making to create space by moving my opponent in order to win a game.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: hitting the ball into space using both forehand and backhand shots increases our chance of winning a game.
  2. Move: hitting an accurate forehand or backhand shot moves our opponent creating space for the next shot we play.
  3. Think: understanding how to beat an opponent helps to improve our decision making regarding our choice of shot in games.
  4. Feel: resolving disagreements with our opponents and respecting decisions demonstrates a high level of self discipline.
  5. Connect: striving to win matches by trying our best and listening to feedback shows a high level of respect.

Keywords

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

  • Decision - when you choose what to do or pick between different options

  • Opponent - a person or team we are playing against in a game situation

Common misconception

Pupils may try to hit the ball too hard when playing competitively. Pupils may be dishonest when scoring their own games in the competitions.

Emphasise the importance of playing accurate and controlled shots rather than focusing on hitting the ball hard. Remind pupils of the importance of respect and playing by the rules in competitive situations, and to just focus on trying their best.

Use your most able pupils to show good decision making in a rally. In the 'ladder tournament' and 'Champion of the court' you can group pupils of similar ability to help all experience success. 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 between two, 50+ 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.
If a ball is hit to your left side and you are right-handed, which shot should you hit?
forehand
Correct answer: backhand
serve
Q2.
When our opponent hits the ball over the net to our side and it bounces twice, what do we lose?
nothing
Correct answer: a point
a paddle
Q3.
What does respecting decisions demonstrate?
Correct answer: self discipline
fun
laziness
Q4.
Why do we scan the court?
for fun
Correct answer: to find space
to lose

4 Questions

Q1.
How can we show self discipline when playing against our opponent?
Ignore them.
Correct answer: Resolve disagreements.
Give up.
Q2.
Why should we try to make decisions quickly in between shots?
Correct answer: to score points
to rush
to panic
Q3.
What are we creating if our opponent has to move to retrieve the ball?
nothing
power
Correct answer: space
Q4.
If our opponent is standing at the net, where is the space to hit our next shot?
the net
Correct answer: the baseline
the floor