Lesson 3 - Applying Underarm Throw to Win Games
Progressive Hand-Ball Skills Through Cooperative and Competitive Play
•Year 2
•Ball Skills
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can accurate underarm throwing help my team win the game?
Learning Objectives
- To apply underarm throwing technique in competitive game situations
- To understand the importance of accuracy and communication in team games
- To develop tactical awareness of attack vs defence principles
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate controlled underarm throwing to teammates
- Students will communicate effectively to create successful passing sequences
- Students will apply throwing skills strategically to prevent opponents from scoring
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around activity areas before lesson starts
Alternative: Bean bags, tennis balls, soft playground balls
Set up pentagon shapes for each group, 3 metres apart
Alternative: Markers, hoops, chalk marks
For timing 30-second challenges and game rounds
Alternative: Phone timer, classroom clock
Key Vocabulary
Throwing the ball with an underhand motion, releasing below shoulder height
Throwing the ball precisely to where your teammate can catch it easily
The hands or area where teammates want to receive the ball
Talking to teammates to let them know when you're ready or where to throw
What happens as a result of an action, like dropping the ball
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic underarm throwing technique
- Simple catching with two hands
- Understanding of taking turns
Current Skills
- Accurate underarm throwing to moving targets
- Strategic thinking in competitive situations
- Team communication and cooperation
Next Steps
- Overarm throwing techniques
- Advanced game tactics and positioning
- Leading and organising team strategies
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Underarm throwing technique: step forward, pendulum action, release at hip height
- Accuracy beats power - controlled throws win games and prevent injuries
- Communication is essential - 'Ready? Yes!' before every throw
- Teamwork makes everyone better - support teammates when they struggle
- Fair play and honesty in scoring builds character and trust
- Practice makes progress - every drop teaches us something valuable
- Strategic thinking - understanding how accurate throws help teams win games
Common Misconceptions
- Students thinking harder throws are better - emphasise control and accuracy over power
- Believing individual skill is more important than teamwork - highlight collaborative success
- Assuming games are just about luck - help them see the strategic elements
- Thinking mistakes are failures - reframe as learning opportunities
- Believing only 'sporty' students can succeed - demonstrate that technique and teamwork matter more than natural ability
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Clear boundaries and structure, regular movement breaks, simplified instructions with visual reminders, positive behaviour reinforcement
dyspraxia
- Larger balls for easier catching, reduced complexity in game rules, extra practice time, peer support for positioning and technique
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedules of activities, consistent routines for equipment collection, quiet reflection space available if overwhelmed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of formations, pair with sighted buddy for spatial awareness
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for game starts, demonstrate all instructions clearly, ensure face-to-face communication for lip reading
physical disability
- Seated throwing and catching version, use larger/lighter balls, adjust distances and pentagon size as needed
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting successful passes, timing activities with seconds and minutes, exploring pentagon shapes and understanding spatial relationships
Science
Understanding forces in throwing actions, observing trajectories of balls, discussing how practice improves coordination and muscle memory
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding directions and pathways, mapping movement around game areas
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, managing emotions in competitive situations, showing respect for others and celebrating achievements
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between different groups during activities, positioning at corners of hall for maximum visibility during games
Observation Focus
Watch for throwing technique, team communication, understanding of game tactics, and positive social interactions
Intervention Points
Step in when games become unbalanced, technique needs correction, or social conflicts arise
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for throwing technique, involve students in demonstrations, model positive communication and sportsmanship throughout
Verbal Cues
- •'Smooth like a pendulum!' for throwing technique
- •'Aim for the hands!' for accuracy focus
- •'Ready? Yes!' for communication
- •'Teamwork makes the dream work!' for cooperation
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum hall size 15m x 20m to accommodate multiple pentagon games safely
Surface Check
Non-slip indoor surface, free from water or debris that could cause slips
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Foam balls checked for damage and appropriate softness
- •Cones stable and visible with no sharp edges or cracks
- •Bean bags as backup equipment in good condition
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during games
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Slips and falls during movement activities
- •Overexertion in competitive games
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established between different game areas
- •Emphasis on controlled underarm throws rather than power
- •Adequate spacing between groups during all activities
- •Regular breaks and hydration reminders during extended games
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all groups during games
- •Circulate actively during Racing Rounders to monitor fair play
- •Watch for signs of frustration or overcompetitive behaviour
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activities immediately, assess injured student, apply appropriate first aid, contact school office if medical attention required