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Lesson 1 - Underarm Throwing at Targets

Throwing, Kicking & Rolling Skills

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Nursery

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Target Games

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47 min

Big Question

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

Balls

30 (1 per child)

Place in central collection area initially

Alternative: Soft balls, sponge balls

Hoops

15 (1 per pair)

Various sizes for different challenge levels

Alternative: Chalk circles, rope circles

Cones

For boundaries and targets

Alternative: Plastic skittles, bottles

Game Balls

For bombarding games - must be soft

Alternative: Soft play balls, foam balls

Chalk

As needed

For marking throwing lines and shapes

Alternative: Rope, spots

Shuttles

Lightweight and safe to knock over

Alternative: Empty plastic bottles, foam blocks

Key Vocabulary

Underarm

Throwing with your hand starting below your waist and moving upwards

Target

Something we aim at when throwing

Accuracy

How close our throw gets to where we want it to go

Side-on

Standing with your side facing the target, not your front

Follow-through

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

Consistent side-on stance

Smooth follow-through motion

Improved accuracy over multiple attempts

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