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Lesson 5 - Overarm Throwing Skills

Building Confidence in Motion

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Year 2

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Athletics

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Big Question

How can we use our whole body to throw further and keep everyone safe while doing it?

Learning Objectives

Develop overarm throwing technique with correct body positioning
Demonstrate safe throwing practices and spatial awareness
Apply jumping and coordination skills through athletic circuits

Key Outcomes

Students will throw overarm with improved technique and distance
Students will demonstrate understanding of throwing safety rules
Students will perform a variety of jumping activities with control and coordination

Equipment & Resources Required

Foam Javelins

6-8

Distributed to group leaders, safety checked for damage

Alternative: Tennis balls, bean bags for indoor practice

Relay Baton

6-8

One per group of 4 children

Alternative: Foam tubes, wooden sticks, bean bags

Cones

20-25

Various colours for different stations and safety zones

Alternative: Playground markings, rope boundaries

Balls

6-8

For hopscotch activity, different colours if possible

Alternative: Small balls, markers

Wall Bars

10-15

Various heights from 10-30cm, easily moved

Alternative: Rope, chalk lines, tape on ground

High jump equipment

1 set

Cane must fall easily when touched, height adjustable

Alternative: Rope between cones, swimming noodle

SAQ Ladders

Flat on ground, secured at corners

Alternative: Chalk squares, rope ladders, marked lines

Key Vocabulary

Overarm

Throwing technique where the implement is released from above shoulder height

Follow through

Continuing the throwing motion after releasing the implement

Sideways stance

Body positioned with side facing the target direction

Safety zone

The area behind the thrower where others must wait

Scissor kick

High jump technique with legs moving in opposite directions over the bar

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic underarm throwing skills
Simple two-footed jumping
Understanding of personal space

Current Skills

Overarm throwing technique with body rotation
Throwing safety awareness and implementation
Multi-directional jumping and coordination

Next Steps

Javelin throwing with run-up approach
Target throwing for accuracy
Combined athletics events and competitions

Milestone Indicators

Consistent sideways throwing stance

Smooth follow-through motion after release

Automatic safety checking before throwing

Key Teaching Points

Establish and maintain strict safety protocols throughout all throwing activities
Focus on technique development before distance achievement in overarm throwing
Encourage use of technical vocabulary during peer assessment and feedback
Ensure progression from supported practice to independent application
Create positive learning environment where effort and improvement are celebrated
Maintain active supervision with clear sight lines across all athletics activities
Connect throwing technique to real athletics and sporting applications

Common Misconceptions

Students thinking throwing harder automatically means throwing further - emphasise technique over force
Belief that facing the target is better than sideways stance - demonstrate why sideways position creates more power
Assumption that peer feedback should focus on what's wrong - model positive, technical vocabulary-based observations
Misconception that athletics is only about winning - emphasise personal improvement and skill development
Thinking safety rules slow down learning - explain how safety enables everyone to participate and improve

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Break activities into shorter segments with clear start/stop signals, provide additional movement breaks, use visual cues and reminders for safety rules

dyspraxia

Focus on one technique element at a time, provide extra practice time, use larger or modified equipment for easier success

autism spectrum

Provide clear visual schedule of activities, establish quiet rest area if needed, use consistent language and routines throughout lesson

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured implements and equipment, provide clear verbal descriptions of all movements, assign sighted partner for guidance during activities

hearing impairment

Use visual signals for rotations and safety, provide written instruction cards at each station, ensure face-to-face communication for instructions

physical disability

Modify throwing distance and implement weight, provide seated throwing variations, adapt jumping activities to stepping or reaching movements

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Technical vocabulary development, articulating observations clearly, listening skills during peer feedback

Maths

Measuring throwing distances, counting sequence in hopscotch, timing rotations in circuits, angles in high jump approach

Science

Forces in throwing actions, physics of projectile motion, body mechanics and lever systems, energy transfer in jumping

Geography

Directional awareness in throwing, spatial positioning in athletics field, mapping of circuit station layouts

PSHE

Peer assessment and constructive feedback, building confidence through achievement, resilience in challenging activities

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Position near throwing area during technique teaching with clear view of all groups, circulate between circuit stations maintaining overall safety awareness

Observation Focus

Watch for correct throwing technique development, safe equipment handling, peer feedback quality, and engagement across varied athletics activities

Intervention Points

Step in immediately for any safety breaches, provide individual technique coaching where needed, facilitate peer assessment conversations with technical vocabulary modelling

Demonstration Notes

Demonstrate throwing technique with exaggerated movements for clarity, show each athletics station activity before rotation, model peer feedback using technical vocabulary

Verbal Cues

•'Safety line - everyone behind!'
•'Sideways stance, shoulder pointing forward!'
•'Smooth follow-through after release!'
•'Use athletics words in your feedback!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 20m outdoor space with additional throwing area, clear of obstacles and adequate run-off zones

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from holes, debris, or slippery areas, suitable for running and jumping activities

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Foam javelins checked for cracks or damage before use
•Jumping bars and hurdles positioned to fall easily when contacted
•High jump canes balanced loosely on cones for easy displacement
•All cones checked for cracks or sharp edges

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Implement striking other students during throwing
•Falls during jumping and hurdle activities
•Collisions during relay running
•Trips over equipment or in collection areas

Risk Mitigation

•Clear safety zones established and enforced behind all throwing areas
•One implement per group with controlled rotation system
•Adequate spacing between athletics circuit stations
•Clear pathways marked for equipment collection and movement between activities
•Progressive skill building with technique before distance focus

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Constant visual supervision of throwing area with strict safety line enforcement
•Regular circulation between athletics circuit stations
•Position for clear sight lines across all activity areas
•Monitor high-energy activities like hurdles and high jump closely

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately on safety signal, assess any injuries with appropriate first aid response, clear communication with emergency services if required