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
No credit card
Free forever
Big Question

How can we use both hands equally well to roll balls accurately and safely?

Learning Objectives

  • Develop rolling accuracy with both dominant and non-dominant hands
  • Understand the importance of bilateral rolling skills for future sport participation
  • Demonstrate safe equipment transport and storage procedures

Key Outcomes

  • Students will roll balls with improved accuracy using both hands
  • Students will explain why rolling with both hands is important
  • Students will show understanding of safe equipment handling

Equipment & Resources Required

Softballs
20 (various sizes)

Store in equipment basket at edge of activity area

Alternative: Bean bags, tennis balls, foam balls

Large Target Ball
1

Distinguish clearly from regular balls - use bright yellow/gold

Alternative: Brightly coloured large soft ball, playground ball

Cones
20

Various heights for different target challenges

Alternative: Skittles, plastic bottles, markers

Cricket Equipment
6

Age-appropriate lightweight bats only

Alternative: Tennis rackets, hockey sticks, wooden paddles

Tees
6

Stable base to prevent tipping during striking

Alternative: Cones, small stands, ground markers

Sun Markers
12

Clear visual boundaries for all activity areas

Alternative: Rope, chalk lines, spot markers

Key Vocabulary

Bilateral

Using both sides of the body equally well

Accuracy

Hitting the target you are aiming for

Force

How hard or gentle you push or roll the ball

Ready position

Body position prepared to receive a ball

Underarm

Rolling or throwing with hand below shoulder level

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

  • Basic ball rolling technique with dominant hand
  • Understanding of personal space and boundaries
  • Basic catching skills

Current Skills

  • Bilateral rolling coordination
  • Force control and accuracy
  • Equipment safety awareness

Next Steps

  • Rolling in game situations under pressure
  • Target accuracy from greater distances
  • Leading equipment safety procedures

Milestone Indicators

1
Consistent rolling motion with non-dominant hand
2
Successful target hitting 6 out of 10 attempts
3
Independent equipment handling without reminders

Key Teaching Points

  • Bilateral coordination develops through practice and patience, not perfection
  • Equipment safety is everyone's responsibility and builds life-long habits
  • Rolling accuracy improves with force control awareness and target focus
  • Team games require communication, readiness signals, and fair play
  • Self-assessment builds metacognition and ownership of learning
  • Celebration of effort encourages continued skill development
  • Progressive challenge from individual to pair to team to game applications

Common Misconceptions

  • That dominant hand skills will automatically transfer to non-dominant hand - requires separate practice
  • That rolling harder always improves accuracy - force control is key
  • That equipment safety is only the teacher's job - students must share responsibility
  • That perfect execution is expected immediately - learning process includes mistakes
  • That games are just for fun - they're structured skill application opportunities

SEN Adaptations

ADHD
  • Shorter activity bursts with clear boundaries, immediate feedback and recognition, movement breaks built into structure
dyspraxia
  • Larger, slower-rolling balls, simplified movement patterns, extra practice time for bilateral coordination
autism spectrum
  • Clear routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet space available if needed, advance warning of activity changes
visual impairment
  • Use bright coloured balls and high contrast cones, provide verbal descriptions of target positions, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
  • Clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for ready positions, written instructions on display board
physical disability
  • Seated rolling from wheelchair or chair, modified target distances, adapted equipment with larger handles

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Counting team goals, measuring rolling distances, timing activities with seconds and minutes, position vocabulary (NESW)

Science

Forces in rolling - gentle vs strong pushes, friction effects on ball movement, body coordination and balance

Geography

Compass directions (North, South, East, West), spatial awareness and positioning, mapping activity areas

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when learning new skills, safety responsibility and care for others

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central location with clear sight lines to all activity areas, move regularly to provide close support

Observation Focus

Bilateral skill development, safety compliance, team cooperation, individual confidence levels

Intervention Points

Step in if rolling force too hard, safety rules not followed, or students becoming frustrated with non-dominant hand

Demonstration Notes

Always demonstrate with both hands, show your own learning process with non-dominant hand, emphasise safety in all demonstrations

Verbal Cues
  • •'Gentle rolls for safety!'
  • •'Check your partner is ready!'
  • •'Both hands make us stronger!'
  • •'Celebrate the attempt, not just the result!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large indoor hall or outdoor area minimum 20m x 15m, clear of obstacles

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from trip hazards, adequate grip for safe movement

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks
  • •Soft balls only - check for appropriate firmness
  • •Lightweight bats suitable for Reception age
  • •Stable tees that won't tip easily
  • •Cones with no sharp edges or cracks

Risk Management

Key Risks
  • •Ball impacts from close range rolling
  • •Collisions during running activities
  • •Trips over equipment during collection
  • •Overexertion during game activities
Risk Mitigation
  • •Clear boundaries and adequate spacing between activities
  • •Emphasis on underarm rolling only - no throwing
  • •Supervised equipment handling procedures
  • •Regular checks for student wellbeing and hydration needs

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points
  • •Position to observe all groups during target games
  • •Close monitoring during French Cricket for safe distances
  • •Active supervision during equipment collection phase
Emergency Procedures

Immediate stop signal for all activities, clear access routes to first aid, designated person to assist if needed