Lesson 2 - Punting with Accuracy
Accuracy & Sending Skills
•Year 1
•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 I punt a balloon ball accurately so my friends can catch it every time?
Learning Objectives
- To coordinate the punting action using either foot with increasing control
- To punt a balloon ball with accuracy enabling successful catching by partners
- To understand and demonstrate the ready position for catching punted balls
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate punting technique with both feet showing basic coordination
- Students will successfully punt to enable partner catches in at least 2 out of 3 attempts
- Students will explain what success looks like for themselves and others
Equipment & Resources Required
Store in equipment bag at activity area perimeter
Alternative: Foam balls, playground balls (slightly deflated for easier catching)
Distributed around activity area for partner work
Alternative: Large cones, chalk circles on ground
Mark boundaries, target areas, and lanes for activities
Alternative: Plastic bottles filled with sand, chalk lines
Placed in hoops at far end of gauntlet game area
Alternative: Tennis balls, small soft toys
Set up in centre area between two teams
Alternative: Plastic bottles, stacking cones, cardboard tubes
Key Vocabulary
Kicking a ball that you drop from your hands before it touches the ground
Standing with knees bent, arms ready, eyes watching, prepared to move quickly
Hitting exactly where you aim, so your partner can catch the ball easily
The hard part of your shoe where the shoelaces are - the best part for kicking
Making different parts of your body work together smoothly
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic kicking skills from Foundation Stage
- Understanding of personal space and boundaries
- Experience of catching large, soft objects
Current Skills
- Coordinated punting action with either foot
- Accurate punting for successful partner catching
- Ready position for catching punted balls
Next Steps
- Punting under pressure in game situations
- Strategic placement of punts for tactical advantage
- Advanced catching techniques in dynamic situations
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Hold ball to side of kicking foot, not in front of body
- Drop ball gently, don't throw it down hard
- Strike with laces (top of foot) for best control and accuracy
- Keep head over ball when kicking for direction
- Ready position: knees bent, arms balanced, eyes watching
- Practice with both feet to develop overall coordination
- Gentle punts are better than hard punts for partner catching
Common Misconceptions
- Children think harder punts are always better - emphasise control and accuracy over power
- Belief that only dominant foot should be used - encourage both feet development
- Assumption that ball should be held in front - teach side positioning for better technique
- Thinking success means never missing - focus on improvement and effort over perfection
- Misunderstanding ready position as just standing still - emphasise active, alert positioning
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries, regular movement breaks, specific roles and responsibilities
dyspraxia
- Simplified movement patterns, larger equipment for easier handling, extra practice time, step-by-step skill breakdown
autism spectrum
- Clear, consistent routines, visual schedules for activities, quiet zones available, predictable partner arrangements
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balloon balls, verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for spatial awareness, tactile markers for boundaries
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, written instruction cards, hand signals for game rules, visual cues for transitions
physical disability
- Seated punting variations, modified distances, use of ramps or aids for ball release, alternative target sizes
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following multi-step instructions, using descriptive language for techniques, listening skills during number calling games, vocabulary development
Science
Understanding forces in punting, gravity's effect on balloon ball flight, body mechanics of kicking action, balance and coordination concepts
Mathematics
Counting successful catches out of attempts, calculating accuracy percentages, measuring distances for challenges, timing activities with stopwatches
PSHE
Cooperation and turn-taking, resilience when facing challenges, honest self-assessment, celebrating others' achievements, teamwork and communication
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand at edge of activity area for full visibility, move actively between groups during practice, position centrally for demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for proper punting technique, safe spacing between children, cooperation and turn-taking, signs of fatigue or frustration
Intervention Points
Step in when safety is compromised, provide individual technique support, mediate partnership conflicts, adjust activities for struggling learners
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate slowly first, then at normal speed. Exaggerate key points like ball position and foot contact. Use children as models when they show good technique. Face children when demonstrating so all can see clearly.
Verbal Cues
- •'Hold the ball to the side, not in front'
- •'Drop and kick, don't throw down'
- •'Use your laces, the hard part of your foot'
- •'Ready position - knees bent, eyes watching'
- •'Gentle punts for easy catching'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large indoor hall or outdoor playground area, minimum 20m x 15m, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, even flooring, free from water/debris, adequate grip for safe movement
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check balloon balls are properly inflated and not over-stretched
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify hoops are intact with smooth edges
- •Bean bags checked for secure stitching
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during group activities
- •Slips and falls during running activities
- •Eye injuries from balloon balls
- •Overexertion during active games
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established with visible markers
- •Adequate spacing maintained between pairs and groups
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
- •Controlled punting force appropriate for age group
- •Regular safety reminders throughout activities
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all children
- •Circulate actively during partner and group work
- •Monitor high-activity areas during games
- •Watch for fatigue and adjust intensity accordingly
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required, ensure other children remain safe and supervised