Lesson 2 - Underarm Throwing Accuracy
Throwing, Kicking & Rolling Skills
•Nursery
•Target Games
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can we throw accurately to help our friends and win our games?
Learning Objectives
- Develop underarm throwing technique with accuracy
- Learn to work cooperatively with others and take turns
- Understand the importance of safety when throwing objects
Key Outcomes
- Children will throw underarm with improved accuracy using dominant and non-dominant hands
- Children will demonstrate turn-taking and cooperation in target games
- Children will show awareness of safety when throwing and position themselves appropriately
Equipment & Resources Required
Use different coloured sets for team games - suggest 3 colours with 10 of each
Alternative: Small soft balls, foam dice, fabric squares filled with rice
Mix of floor hoops and hand-held hoops needed for different activities
Alternative: Chalk circles drawn on ground, rope circles, small mats
For boundaries, throwing lines, and 'Throw Golf' course markers
Alternative: Markers, plastic bottles, chalk marks
Place on stable surface midway between two throwing areas
Alternative: Plastic bottles, foam blocks, small cones
For drawing shapes on ground - circle, square, triangle, rectangle
Alternative: Tape, rope, pre-made shapes on cards
For warm-up activity - lighter than bean bags for safety
Alternative: Soft play balls, foam balls, rolled up socks
Key Vocabulary
Throwing with the arm moving in an upward arc from below shoulder height
Standing with the side of your body facing the target
Continuing the throwing motion after releasing the object
The hand you prefer to use for activities like writing or throwing
The object or area you are aiming to hit or reach
How close your throw gets to where you were aiming
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of holding and releasing objects
- Awareness of personal space
- Simple following of instructions
Current Skills
- Underarm throwing technique with side-on stance
- Accuracy in throwing towards targets
- Cooperation and turn-taking skills
Next Steps
- Overarm throwing techniques
- Throwing for distance rather than accuracy
- More complex target games with multiple objectives
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Side-on stance is fundamental for accurate throwing
- Step with opposite foot as you throw for power and accuracy
- Follow through towards the target after releasing
- Safety first - always check throwing area is clear
- Practice with both hands develops overall coordination
- Cooperation and encouragement help everyone improve
- Gentle throws are safer and often more accurate than hard throws
Common Misconceptions
- Children think throwing harder equals throwing more accurately
- Belief that only dominant hand needs practice
- Assuming standing square-on to target is correct
- Thinking competition means being unkind to others
- Believing missing the target means they're not good at throwing
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, clear movement boundaries, frequent positive feedback, physical activity breaks between seated discussions
dyspraxia
- Extra demonstration of movements, larger equipment, reduced complexity in multi-step activities, additional practice time
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet space available if overwhelmed, consistent partner pairings
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured bean bags and hoops, provide verbal descriptions of target positions, partner guidance for equipment location
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for start/stop, written or picture instructions displayed
physical disability
- Seated throwing versions, modified throwing distances, larger targets, adaptive equipment as needed
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting successful throws, measuring distances with paces, understanding concepts of near and far
Science
Forces and motion in throwing, understanding how objects move through air, gravity's effect on thrown objects
Geography
Directional language (towards, away, left, right), spatial awareness and positioning
PSHE
Cooperation and turn-taking, resilience when facing challenges, helping and encouraging others
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter of activity areas to observe all children, position centrally for demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for correct throwing technique, safe behaviour around others, cooperation in partner work
Intervention Points
Step in immediately for unsafe throwing, support frustrated children, facilitate partner conflicts
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for visibility, involve children in demonstrations, repeat key points multiple times
Verbal Cues
- •'Side-on stance like a soldier!'
- •'Step and throw, step and throw!'
- •'Gentle throws only!'
- •'Wait for your turn to collect!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m clear space, higher ceiling preferred for throwing arcs
Surface Check
Non-slip surface free from obstacles, check for any wet areas that could cause slips
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Bean bags checked for secure stitching and appropriate filling
- •Hoops inspected for cracks or sharp edges
- •Cones stable and not creating trip hazards
- •Skittles positioned on stable surface away from walls
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Bean bags hitting other children if thrown too hard
- •Collisions when children retrieve equipment
- •Trips over equipment left on floor
- •Children moving into throwing areas at wrong time
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established with cones and verbal instructions
- •Underarm throwing only rule strictly enforced
- •Equipment retrieval only when safe to do so
- •Adequate spacing between pairs and teams
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all throwing areas
- •Monitor throwing technique to prevent dangerous throws
- •Watch equipment retrieval for safety timing
- •Check for any children feeling unwell or tired
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately if injury occurs, assess need for first aid, ensure clear access for help if needed