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Lesson 2 - Hitting and Sending with Hands

Ball Skills & Teamwork

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Year 1

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Sending and Receiving

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45 min

Big Question

How can we use our hands like tools to send a ball exactly where we want it to go?

Learning Objectives

Explore different ways to hit a ball using hands in various directions
Practice sending a ball accurately to a partner using hand striking techniques
Develop hand-eye coordination through hitting activities with targets

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate at least 3 different ways to hit a ball with their hands
Students will successfully send a ball to a partner using appropriate force and direction
Students will work cooperatively in teams to hit balls towards targets

Equipment & Resources Required

Soft Dodgeballs

1 per student (30)

Pre-distributed around hall perimeter for easy collection

Alternative: Bean bags, balloons, beach balls for slower practice

Coloured Cones

15 pairs for partner positioning

Placed 2-3 metres apart for partner activities

Alternative: Markers, spots, or painted lines on floor

Hoops

10-15 various sizes

Scattered in scoring zone, various distances from hitting line

Alternative: Large targets drawn with chalk, rope circles

Dish Cones

3 (red, yellow/orange, green)

Held by teacher for warm-up activity signals

Alternative: Coloured cards, flags, or hand signals

Rackets

15 (for extension activities)

Available for students ready for equipment progression

Alternative: Large spoons, ping pong paddles, foam paddles

Key Vocabulary

Striking

Hitting the ball with your hand or a racquet

Self-feed

Throwing or dropping the ball to yourself before hitting it

Follow through

Continuing the hitting motion after contact with the ball

Target

The area or object you are aiming to hit with the ball

Trajectory

The path the ball travels through the air

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic catching and throwing skills from previous lessons
Understanding of personal space and safety around others
Ability to follow simple instructions and work with a partner

Current Skills

Hand striking techniques with different trajectories
Self-feeding skills for independent practice
Target hitting with increasing accuracy and distance

Next Steps

Introduction to simple racquet sports techniques
More complex target games with scoring systems
Competitive sending and receiving activities

Milestone Indicators

Consistent hand contact with ball

Appropriate force control for different distances

Successful partner cooperation in hitting activities

Key Teaching Points

Firm hand contact with follow-through is essential for accurate hitting
Self-feeding technique (gentle toss close to body) enables consistent striking
Eye tracking of the ball from feed through contact improves accuracy
Force control adapts to different distances and target types
Spatial awareness prevents collisions during active movement and hitting
Partner cooperation and communication enhance learning for both students
Progressive challenge building from simple to complex develops confidence

Common Misconceptions

Using fingers instead of firm, flat hand for striking - demonstrate proper hand position
Self-feeding too high or far from body making timing difficult - show close, gentle toss
Hitting with same force regardless of distance - demonstrate adjusting power for targets
Looking away from ball during contact - emphasise keeping eyes on ball throughout
Thinking accuracy is more important than technique - explain technique leads to accuracy
Believing harder hits are always better - show how control creates better results

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity segments, clear movement boundaries, regular position changes, fidget balls for waiting times

dyspraxia

Larger, slower-moving balls, extended practice time, simplified movement patterns, extra demonstrations

autism spectrum

Clear routine structure, visual activity schedule, quiet zones available, predictable partner arrangements

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of target locations, use buddy system for guidance

hearing impairment

Use clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, visual cues for activity changes

physical disability

Seated hitting variations, larger balls or balloons, shorter distances to targets, modified equipment as needed

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Measuring distances between partners and targets, counting collected hoops and calculating team scores, estimating trajectory angles

Science

Understanding forces applied to balls, exploring how different forces create different movements, observing cause and effect in ball striking

Geography

Using directional language (toward, away, left, right), understanding spatial relationships and positioning

PSHE

Developing cooperation and communication skills, showing resilience when missing targets, celebrating others' successes

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position during whole-group instruction, circulating during pair/team work for individual support

Observation Focus

Hand contact with ball and follow-through technique; Spatial awareness and safe movement around others; Partner cooperation and communication quality; Progression in accuracy and force control

Intervention Points

["Step in when students are hitting too hard or unsafely", "Support pairs who are struggling with cooperation", "Provide individual technique guidance for students not making contact", "Mediate any team disputes during competitive game"]

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated movements for clarity, involve students as partners in demonstrations, show common mistakes and corrections

Verbal Cues

•'Firm hand, soft hit!'
•'Eyes on the ball!'
•'Follow through to your target!'
•'Self-feed close to your body!'
•'Find your space away from others!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 15m x 10m hall space, clear of obstacles and hazards

Surface Check

Non-slip, even surface free from water, equipment, or debris

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Soft balls only to prevent injury from impact
•Cones placed securely with no sharp edges or cracks
•Hoops checked for damage and placed flat on floor
•Racquets/paddles inspected for secure handles and no rough edges

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Ball impacts to face or body from partner hitting
•Collisions between students during movement activities
•Slips and falls when collecting equipment or running to targets
•Equipment entanglement when students move quickly

Risk Mitigation

•Adequate spacing maintained between all pairs and teams
•Clear boundaries established for all activities
•Progressive skill building from simple to complex tasks
•Constant supervision with teacher positioned for maximum visibility
•Emergency stop signal established and practiced

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to see all students during scattered activities
•Move between pairs during partner work to check safety
•Monitor high-activity areas during competitive game
•Watch for students moving too close to others during hitting practice

Emergency Procedures

Immediate stop signal, assess injury, first aid as needed, contact office if required