TENNIS DRIVES – FOREHAND AND BACKHAND

Resources drawn from Griffin et. al. (1997, p. 150)

Check grips.

DRIVE Cues

• Side to the target
• Racquet back before bounce
• Swing racquet parallel to the ground
• Strike ball in front of leading foot
• Follow through along line of shot
• Hit to space

Practice Progression. Start with forehand then add backhand as an extension for the more able students.

1. Use sponge balls – with one touch to control continuously strike against the wall. Get students to hit high wall for more time to play stroke. How many can you do in a row?
2. Use bean-bag as a target. Try to hit the bean-bag after the ball hits the wall (if any students are struggling get them to use one touch to control).
3. Working with a partner strike ball continuously against the wall trying to it bean-bags
4. Return to over space set-up with partners rallying using one-touch control – encourage more able students to hit without one touch control. Remind students to use height to get control of the ball.
5. Remind students to get behind the back-line in their court after playing a shot – how many shots can they hit in a row.

Application game: In 1 on 1 “over-space” game focus on setting up for attack by creating space on opponent’s court. Ask students to decide how they score, how they start and re-start the game. Ball must be hit upwards. Play up to four points. Winning player’s court is made 1 m wider and longer.

Teaching Reminders

• Tell the group where to stand to give demonstration. Make sure they can see the model.
• Recommend that you use a demonstrator from the class that you can talk about.
• Send the students to an area to practice, a safe space. Say, “Annnnnd STOP,” to add on extensions to the skill as you progress towards the application game.
• Give feedback to students as do skill.
• Modify activity (“Modify complexity”) for individuals to extend or simplify based on needs.