Middle School PE Lesson Ideas

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Name of Activity: Doubles Tennis Baseball

Purpose of Activity: This is an alternative way for students to practice accuracy of their tennis strokes. The purpose is to hit the ball away from your opponents, but within the lines.

Prerequisites: They should already be able to perform forehand or backhand stroke while hitting a ball.

Suggested Grade Level: 6-8

Materials Needed: Tennis courts with the appropriate lines or teacher designed courts including lines, 2-4 tennis balls per court, 1 tennis racquet per court.

Description of Idea

Variations:

You can make the game more challenging by awarding extra points (runs) if:

a. The ball bounces in the alley.
b. The ball bounces behind the service line.
c. The batter uses backhand stroke to hit the ball.

Assessment Ideas:

Use a written response or a verbal discussion on the topic of hitting a ball accurately. One of the main objectives in tennis is to hit the ball away from the opponents, so the opponent has difficulty returning the ball.

Questions to be addressed:

1. Where do you want to hit the ball during a tennis game?
2. What is likely to happen when you hit the ball directly at your opponent?
3. What is likely to happen when you hit the ball away from your opponent?
4. Is it more likely that your team will score a point if you hit the ball directly at your opponents or if you hit the ball away from your opponents?

Teaching Suggestions:

When offense and defense are switching, have the students stay on their side of the court and exchange equipment only.

Observe each game and encourage the students to use proper form, ready position, racquet back, contact on the sweetspot, follow through, etc. Also, remind them to hit the ball away from their opponents.

Use a different kind of ball, a larger ball, or a less bouncy ball.
To make it more challenging, use a multi-sided ball.

Use a variety of striking implements, such as an oversized plastic tennis racquet, or 2-handed square paddle.

Change the court dimensions to suit the needs of the students.

The batter may stand closer to the net.

The pitcher may stand closer and toss the ball softer.

The batter may self-toss the ball and hit it.