Week 1 - Polybat
Equipment
Polybat bats and balls or alternatives (small flat-edged play bat, plastic or wooden rulers may also be used.)
Table tennis table or any large table
Rebound sides attached to the table using materials such as wood or cardboard
Skittles, small plastic bottles or plastic cups
Download the Polybat - Week 1 activity card to support teaching before and during the sport session.
Skill development game
Learning intention
To practice striking and returning shots with accuracy along the table top with a partner.
Skill focus
Defending
Shot placement
Striking
Poly skill skittles
A challenging version of Polybat to develop accuracy in forehand and backhand shots.
Game set-up
Attach rebound sides to the table using materials such as wood or cardboard.
Place two skittles halfway down the table, evenly spaced between the rebound sides.
How to play
Aim is to hit the ball over the opponent’s end of the table, or cause them to play a fault by lifting the ball off the table surface or knocking over one of the skittles.
Play as singles or doubles.
Each player has 5 serves. Serve then goes to another player (or rotates alternately for doubles).
First to 11 points wins.
Play begins with the server playing the ball off any side.
Players can touch the ball more than once with the bat before returning it to their opponent’s end.
Players must avoid knocking the skittles over as this results in a point to the opposition. The skittle is then replaced for the next serve.
Safety
Ensure the lower limbs of wheelchair users do not rub against the table.
Avoid striking the sides with the bat.
Ensure rebound sides are correctly clipped or taped onto the table.
Modifying Poly skill skittles using TREE
Teaching style
To improve technique or anticipation of the ball’s movement:
encourage players to keep the bat steady and in front of the body
rest the bat on the table surface if necessary to provide more stability
encourage players to watch the speed and direction of the ball.
Rules
Play first to 11 or 21 points with or without a two-point advantage.
Modify the multiple touch rule for players of different abilities.
Allow some players to serve directly to their opponent.
Equipment
If polybats are not available, use any small flat-edged play bat. Plastic or wooden rulers may also be used.
A number of smaller tables can be pushed together. Tape can be used to smooth the joins.
Larger wiffle balls can be used before progressing to a standard Polybat ball.
Environment
Reduce the width of the end line by adding shorter rebound sides to the table to cater for different abilities, or if two players play against one.
Polybat game
Learning intention
To practice striking and returning shots along the table top with a partner.
Skill focus
Defending
Striking
Shot placement.
Polybat
A table-top bat and ball game to develop striking and defending skills.
Activity set-up
Attach rebound sides to the table using materials such as wood or cardboard.
How to play
Aim is to hit the ball over the opponent’s end of the table, or cause them to play a fault by lifting the ball off the table surface.
Played as singles or doubles.
Each player has 5 serves. Serve then goes to another player (or rotates alternately for doubles).
First to 11 points wins.
Play begins with the server playing the ball off any side. Strokes can then be played directly or off the side.
The ball must always stay on the table surface; a lifted ball scores a point for the opponent.
Players can block, control and hit the ball back towards their opponent using more than one hit; but no ‘trapping’ or ‘stopping’ of the ball is allowed.
Safety
Ensure the lower limbs of wheelchair users do not rub against the table.
Avoid striking the sides with the bat.
Ensure rebound sides are correctly clipped or taped onto the table.
Modifying Polybat using TREE
Teaching style
To improve technique or anticipation of the ball movement:
encourage players to keep the bat steady and in front of their body
rest the bat on the table surface if necessary to provide more stability
encourage players to watch the speed and direction of the ball. Practice this by rolling the ball from different angles..
Rules
Play first to 11 or 21 points with or without a 2-point advantage.
Modify the multiple touch rule for players of different abilities.
Allow players to serve directly to their opponent.
Equipment
If polybats are not available use any small flat-edged bat. Plastic or wooden rulers may also be used.
A number of smaller tables can be pushed together and taped to smooth the joins to create a large table.
Larger wiffle balls can be used before progressing to a standard Polybat ball.
Environment
Reduce the width of the end line by adding shorter sides to the table to cater for different abilities, or if two players play against one.
Reflection
Suggested questions for players
How can you change the angle of the bat to keep the ball on the table?
What action is better to use to improve control of the ball?
Where should you aim to try and score points against your opponent?
2 stars and a wish
Ask students:
What are 2 things you feel you did well today?
What are you going to try and improve on next week?
Students can answer reflection questions as a whole class, small group or in pairs.
