Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2
Sports Participation
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Sports Participation
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Physical Education Health Core
Class: SHS 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 3
Grade code: 2.1.2.LI.3
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 2.1.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.1.2.LI.3
Theme: Physical Activity and Health
Subtheme: Sports Participation
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This lesson focuses on the practical application of basic skills in table tennis, a popular and accessible sport in many Ghanaian communities and schools. Table tennis (often called "ping-pong") is an excellent sport for developing quick reflexes, hand-eye coordination, and concentration. Beyond physical fitness, it is a social activity that teaches sportsmanship, focus, and fair play. This lesson will move beyond simply knowing the skills to actively using them in game-like situations, preparing learners for recreational or competitive play.
This section breaks down the fundamental knowledge required to play table tennis effectively. We will focus on the foundational elements that enable the application of skills. A. The Basic Grip: Shakehand Grip This is the most common and versatile grip. It is called the "Shakehand" grip because you hold the bat as if you are shaking hands with someone. How to Hold: Place your open palm flat against the face of the bat. Slide your hand down until the handle rests in your palm. Wrap your last three fingers (middle, ring, pinky) around the handle. Place your index finger on the bottom edge of the backhand rubber face. Your thumb should rest comfortably on the forehand rubber face, near the handle. Why it's important: A correct grip allows for a flexible wrist, which is crucial for controlling the ball and executing different strokes on both the forehand and backhand sides. B. The Ready Stance Your stance is your foundation. A good ready stance allows you to move quickly in any direction to play a shot. Step-by-Step Stance: Feet: Stand with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders. Knees: Bend your knees slightly. This lowers your centre of gravity and prepares your legs to move. Body: Lean forward slightly from your hips. Your weight should be on the balls of your feet, not your heels. Arms: Hold the bat out in front of your body, with your elbow bent. The bat should be pointing slightly upwards. Analogy: Imagine you are a goalkeeper in football, ready to dive for a penalty. That alert, balanced, and ready-to-spring position is what you are aiming for. C. The Forehand Drive This is an attacking stroke played on the same side of your body as your playing hand (the right side for a right-handed player). It is used to hit the ball with speed and some topspin. Technique Breakdown: Preparation (Ready): From your ready stance, as the ball comes towards your forehand side, rotate your shoulders and hips away from the ball. Your playing arm should move back, keeping the bat face slightly closed (tilted forward). Execution (Contact): As the ball bounces on your side and reaches the peak of its bounce, swing your arm forward and slightly upward. The main power comes from your body rotation (hips and shoulders), not just your arm. Make contact with the ball in front of and slightly to the side of your body. Follow-through: Continue your swing forward and up, finishing with the bat pointing towards the net, roughly at eye level. This ensures you complete the stroke and give the ball direction. D. The Backhand Push This is a defensive stroke played on the opposite side of your body from your playing hand. It is used to return low or backspin shots safely and keep the ball in play. Technique Breakdown: Preparation (Ready): From your ready stance, bring the bat in front of your body. Open the bat face by tilting it upwards slightly. The movement is short and comes from the elbow and wrist. Execution (Contact): As the ball approaches, move the bat forward to meet it. Contact the ball just after it has reached the peak of its bounce. The motion is like a "push" or a slice, brushing underneath the back of the ball. Follow-through: The follow-through is short, just a few inches in the direction of the ball's travel. This gives you control and allows you to recover quickly for the next shot.
Guided Practice (With Solutions)
These activities are designed to be done in pairs, with the teacher observing and providing feedback.
Activity 1: Static Skill Demonstration Task: In pairs, take turns demonstrating the ready stance, the shakehand grip, the full motion of the forehand drive (shadow swing without a ball), and the backhand push (shadow swing without a ball). The partner will observe and provide feedback. Worked Solution / Correct Execution: Grip: Teacher checks if the index finger is on the backhand rubber and the thumb is on the forehand rubber. The grip should be firm but not tense. Stance: Teacher looks for feet wider than shoulders, bent knees, forward lean, and weight on the balls of the feet. Forehand Drive Motion: The student should demonstrate a clear body rotation away from the "ball", a forward swing with an upward path, and a follow-through across the body. The motion should be smooth, not jerky. Backhand Push Motion: The student should show a short, compact movement in front of the body, with an open bat face and a minimal follow-through.