If you want a tennis point play game that feels competitive, builds real tactical thinking, and keeps students fully engaged, the Winner Side format is a go-to for Middle School PE and High School PE.
It’s simple: one player (or pair) starts on the Winner Side, and everyone else starts on the Challenger Side. Students earn their way onto the Winner Side by either:
winning two points in a row, or
hitting a clear winner
Then the teacher feeds a new ball designed for an attacking opportunity, while the Winner Side player has to defend under pressure. It’s one of the best ways to teach when to attack, how to defend, and how to close out a point.
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What is the Winner Side game in tennis?
Winner Side is a competitive tennis game where:
challengers try to “claim” the winner court,
the winner defends their position,
and points are played in quick, repeatable sequences.
It’s similar to King/Queen of the Court tennis, but with a cleaner “earn your spot” rule and a built-in way to train attack vs defense.
Equipment & Setup
What you need
Racquets
Tennis balls (low-compression recommended for beginners)
Cones/tape (optional, to mark targets)
Best group size
3 to 8 players per court (ideal for PE rotation)
Court layout
Split the court into two roles:
Winner Side (1 player or 1 pair)
Challenger Side / The Town (everyone else)
You can label it on a whiteboard, or place a cone on the Winner Side so students instantly know where to go.
How to play (rules)
Step 1: Start positions
One player (or pair) starts on the Winner Side
Everyone else begins on the Challenger Side in a line behind the baseline
Step 2: Feed and play a point
The teacher feeds the ball to begin the rally (or students can start with a controlled underhand feed).
Step 3: How to earn the Winner Side
A challenger moves to the Winner Side if they:
win two points in a row, OR
hit a clear winner (an unreturnable shot)
When it happens, the teacher calls “WINNER!” and that student quickly runs to the Winner Side.
Step 4: The “attack ball” feed
Right after someone reaches Winner Side, the teacher feeds the next ball as an attacking opportunity (common options):
a higher ball to mid-court for an overhead/smash
a shorter ball to step in and attack
a ball that encourages an approach + volley
The Winner Side player must defend and try to stay on the Winner Side.
Step 5: Who wins
Play for:
a set time (8–12 minutes), or
until you run out of balls
The winner is the player/pair that is on the Winner Side when time ends.
Why this game is perfect for PE tennis units
It teaches when to attack
Students learn the difference between:
extending a rally safely, and
stepping in to finish when the ball is attackable
It trains defense under pressure
The Winner Side player is constantly solving problems:
passing shots
lobs (if allowed)
recover steps and positioning
It’s high engagement with minimal downtime
Because the teacher controls the feed speed, you can keep the pace fast and reduce waiting.
Variations (Beginner → Advanced)
Beginner-friendly variations
Feed slower balls and allow 2 bounces
Use service boxes only to increase control
Use low-compression balls
Remove the “winner shot” rule and keep it as “2 points in a row” only (simpler for beginners)
Skill-focused variations
Backhand-only feeds to train backhand consistency
Topspin only (no slice) to encourage safe, high-percentage shots
Challenger must come to the net after the first ball (forces transition footwork)
Advanced / competitive variations
Replace the overhead feed with a short attack ball (mid height), then require:
approach shot + volley continuation
No lobs (promotes passing shots and angles)
Winner Side must win two points in a row to stay (adds pressure)
Teacher Tips (to make it smooth and competitive) Use fast, consistent feeds
You control the intensity. Start easy, then increase pace once students understand the format.
Make “winner” criteria crystal clear
To avoid arguments, define a winner as:
“If the opponent touches it, it’s not a winner.”
Or use:“Two points in a row only” for younger groups.
Keep the line moving
Use a simple rule:
“If you lose a point, rotate to the back of the Challenger line.”
FAQ
What is a good tennis point play game for PE?
Winner Side is great because it’s competitive, easy to run, and teaches real tactics like attack vs defense and closing points.
How do you teach tennis tactics in PE?
Use simple games where students must decide when to rally safely and when to attack—Winner Side naturally creates those moments.
Is Winner Side the same as King of the Court tennis?
They’re similar. Winner Side usually has clearer “earn the court” rules and is easy to run as a fast rotation point-play game.
Want the full pack?
Around the World is one of the games from my resource: 10 Tennis Practice Games & Drills for PE (Middle School & High School).
If you want 10 plug-and-play tennis activities with objectives, variations, and coaching tips, grab the full bundle on TPT.
$9.99 $4.99
- Tennis Coach
- Presentation PDF
- Set up
- Variations
- Coach Tips
