Lesson 1 - Underarm Throwing at Targets
Throwing, Kicking & Rolling Skills
•Nursery
•Target Games
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How can we use our whole body to throw accurately at targets?
Learning Objectives
- Develop underarm throwing technique with increasing accuracy
- Understand the importance of body positioning when throwing
- Apply throwing skills in game situations with targets
Key Outcomes
- Children will be able to throw underarm with improved accuracy
- Children will demonstrate side-on stance with opposite foot forward
- Children will show increasing control over objects when throwing
Equipment & Resources Required
Place in central collection area initially
Alternative: Soft balls, sponge balls
Various sizes for different challenge levels
Alternative: Chalk circles, rope circles
For boundaries and targets
Alternative: Plastic skittles, bottles
For bombarding games - must be soft
Alternative: Soft play balls, foam balls
For marking throwing lines and shapes
Alternative: Rope, spots
Lightweight and safe to knock over
Alternative: Empty plastic bottles, foam blocks
Key Vocabulary
Throwing with your hand starting below your waist and moving upwards
Something we aim at when throwing
How close our throw gets to where we want it to go
Standing with your side facing the target, not your front
Continuing the throwing movement after releasing the object
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of taking turns
- Ability to hold and carry objects
- Simple movement patterns like walking and running
Current Skills
- Underarm throwing technique
- Body positioning for accuracy
- Target awareness and aiming
Next Steps
- Overarm throwing techniques
- Throwing for distance rather than accuracy
- Catching thrown objects
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Opposite foot forward to throwing hand creates better balance and accuracy
- Side-on stance provides more power and better aim than facing forward
- Underarm throwing starts low and finishes high in smooth pendulum motion
- Gentle, controlled throws are more accurate than hard, forceful ones
- Taking time to aim improves accuracy more than rushing throws
- Following through toward the target helps with direction and consistency
- Practice and persistence improve skills more than natural ability alone
Common Misconceptions
- Children think throwing harder equals more accuracy - emphasise control over power
- Many children naturally stand facing forward - consistently reinforce side-on stance
- Children may think same-side foot forward feels more natural - explain and demonstrate opposite foot advantage
- Some children rush throws thinking speed equals success - teach patience and aiming
- Children may give up quickly if not immediately successful - emphasise practice and improvement over perfection
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Keep activities short and varied, provide clear boundaries and expectations, use movement breaks, offer fidget alternatives during reflection time
dyspraxia
- Break down movements into smaller steps, provide extra practice time, use verbal cues for body positioning, offer hand-over-hand support if needed
autism spectrum
- Provide clear visual schedule of activities, offer quiet space if overwhelmed, use consistent language and routines, prepare for activity transitions
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured equipment, provide tactile markers for throwing lines, ensure adult support for spatial awareness, use verbal descriptions of targets
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations extensively, employ hand signals for game rules, provide written instruction cards, ensure face-to-face communication
physical disability
- Adapt throwing distance and height as needed, provide seated throwing options, use larger lighter objects, modify games for wheelchair access
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting bean bags collected in teams, measuring distances for throwing lines, understanding concepts of near and far
Science
Forces in throwing - push and pull, effect of body position on object movement, understanding of trajectory
PSHE
Turn-taking and sharing, cooperation in pairs and teams, celebrating others' successes, resilience when facing challenges
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around constantly to observe all children, position yourself where you can see throwing force and technique
Observation Focus
Monitor stance and foot position, watch for gentle throwing force, observe cooperation and turn-taking
Intervention Points
Step in immediately if throwing becomes too forceful, support children struggling with stance, facilitate turn-taking conflicts
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements to show stance clearly, demonstrate gentle throwing force, model good sportsmanship throughout
Verbal Cues
- •'Opposite foot forward!'
- •'Side-on stance!'
- •'Gentle underarm throws!'
- •'Start low, finish high!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large indoor hall or outdoor hard court area, minimum 20m x 15m
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, free from obstacles, adequate ceiling height for underarm throws
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Soft bean bags and sponge balls only - check for damage
- •Hoops inspected for cracks or sharp edges
- •Cones stable and not creating trip hazards
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during running games
- •Objects thrown too hard hitting children
- •Slips during dynamic movement
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and throwing directions established
- •Constant emphasis on gentle throwing
- •Adequate space between activities and children
- •Clear rules about movement areas
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to monitor throwing force in all activities
- •Watch for children crossing into throwing areas
- •Ensure game rules are followed for safety
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess any injury, apply first aid if needed, inform school procedures