Striking with Racquets and Paddles
K Swinging motion using hand and scarf 1 - 9 Basic paddle skills (stations)
K Swinging motion using balloons or balls 2 Partner Balloon challenges using striking skills with soft paddle
K Rolling ball to wall and striking the rebound ball 2 - 9 Basic paddle skills (wall work)
1 Balancing and manipulating a fluffy ball with a soft paddle 2 - 9 Paddle skills (forehand-wall work)
1 Bouncing a ball to self with a soft paddle, self challenges 2 - 9 Paddle skills (backhand-wall work)
1 Small Group, round robin striking practice 2 - 9 Paddle Skills (hitting cooperatively and continuously with a partner)
1 - 9 Basic paddle skills (Ups and Downs) 3 - 9 Paddle Four Square

PPEP-PALS Lesson Sharing
Teacher & School: Sarah Jager, Petaluma Junior High
Activity Grade Level
Paddle skills (forehand-wall work) 2 - 9
Equipment Needs

Circle targets about 3-5 feet up on the wall.

For each student:

  • 1 striking implement
  • 1 whiffle ball or dead tennis ball
Facility/Playground Needs outdoor or indoor facility; outdoor is preferred as it offers a larger area
Lesson Objective (Psychomotor and/or Cognitive):

Students will demonstrate control over the paddle and ball.

Students will demonstrate ways to control the direction and force of a ball while using striking implement.

Students will demonstrate safe techniques while handling a striking implement.

Students will demonstrate striking the ball with a sidearm forehand pattern.
Teaching Hints:

Teachers should check for proper handle grip (shake hands with the paddle), focus on these cues:

  • Paddle and palm facing target,
  • Stiff wrist (keep wrist tight; don’t let it flop around,)
  • Side to wall (keep the side opposite the arm they’re using to hit to the wall,)
  • Opposite foot (just as in throwing, step forward on the foot opposite the arm they are using to strike.
Description:

Introduce forehand, demonstrate and then have students follow along in their own area. Correct and compliment form.

Students line up about 5 feet from the wall in front of a circle. They will stike the ball towards the wall and try and place the ball in the circle.

When they have done 5 accurate hits, have them raise their hand so the teacher or a neighbor can observe them.

Once they’ve come close to the circle 5 times, they can take 2 giant steps backward.

Personal challenge - how many consecutive accurate forearms can they perform?
Alternatives/Modifications

Use balloons or beach balls for students who are struggling. Paint a bright dot or letter on the ball for students to focus on if they are having trouble tracking the ball.

If there is limited wall space, divide the class in half, with one half working against the wall and the other half working independently on previously learned skills.
Reference

Graham, G., Holt/Hale, S., & Parker, M. (1998). Children Moving: A Reflective Approach to Teaching Physical Education Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company.
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