Week 3 - 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
Download the Polybat - Week 3 activity card to support teaching before and during the sport session.
Skill development game
Learning intention
To practice striking shots with accuracy along the table top.
Skill focus
Defending
Shot placement
Striking
Poly squash
A modified game that develops skills to support participation in Polybat and other racquet activities.
Game set-up
Push a table against a wall. Players sit next to each other. Mark a dividing line up the centre of table if necessary.
Attach rebound sides to the table using materials such as wood or cardboard.
How to play
Players hit alternatively off the wall or sides.
Players score by hitting the ball over the end of the table on their opponent’s side.
First to 11 wins.
Safety
Emphasise playing with control, without swinging the bat in the air. This is particularly important if playing near other players.
Modifying Polysquash 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.
Use Polysquash to explain about the game of squash.
Rules
Play first to 11 or 21 points with or without a two-point advantage.
Allow multiple hits for players of different abilities.
Equipment
If polybats are not available, use any small flat-edged play bat. Plastic or wooden rulers may also be used.
Slightly raise the end of the table nearest the wall to assist the ball to roll back towards the players e.g. use coasters.
Larger wiffle balls can be used before progressing to a standard Polybat ball.
Environment
Use narrower tables or play individually initially.
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
What techniques did you use to score points?
What action is best to use to make a more accurate shot?
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.
