Lesson 6 - Competition Games - Applying Ball Skills
Progressive Hand-Ball Skills Through Cooperative and Competitive Play
•Year 2
•Ball Skills
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How can we use our throwing and catching skills to win games against opponents?
Learning Objectives
- To apply throwing and catching skills in competitive game situations
- To understand and demonstrate attack vs defence principles
- To work collaboratively as a team member in ball games
Key Outcomes
- Students will compete in mini games using underarm and overarm throwing
- Students will demonstrate tactical understanding of when to throw accurately
- Students will show good sportsmanship and teamwork during competition
Equipment & Resources Required
Store in buckets at edge of playing area for easy access
Alternative: Soft play balls, bean bags for students who struggle with catching
Use bright colours for clear visibility of boundaries and bases
Alternative: Markers, bibs, or chalk lines
Position clearly to mark running routes and throwing targets
Alternative: Hoops, spots, or drawn chalk circles
Distribute to identify teams clearly during rotation
Alternative: Coloured bands or team cards
Key Vocabulary
Throwing the ball from low to high with arm swinging below shoulder level
Throwing the ball with arm moving over the shoulder for power and distance
The team trying to stop the batting team from scoring points
The team trying to score points by hitting or throwing the ball away from fielders
Understanding when your team is trying to score (attack) or prevent scoring (defence)
Throwing the ball exactly where you want it to go
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic underarm throwing technique
- Simple catching with both hands
- Understanding of personal space and boundaries
Current Skills
- Applying throwing skills in competitive situations
- Understanding attack vs defence principles
- Working as part of a team in ball games
Next Steps
- More complex fielding positions and strategies
- Introduction to formal game rules
- Advanced tactical decision making
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise accuracy over power in all throwing situations
- Develop tactical understanding of when to use different techniques
- Foster positive communication and teamwork throughout all games
- Ensure fair play and good sportsmanship in competitive situations
- Build confidence through progressive challenges and positive reinforcement
Common Misconceptions
- Throwing harder always means throwing better - emphasise accuracy and control
- Individual skill is more important than teamwork - highlight collaborative success
- Winning is the only measure of success - focus on effort, improvement, and fair play
- Complex tactics are better than simple ones - reinforce that basic tactics done well are most effective
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break games into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries, use movement breaks between explanations
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment, reduce complexity of games, provide additional practice time, pair with supportive partner
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure and routine, use visual schedules, allow quiet zones if overwhelmed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of game setup, assign sighted partner for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for game starts/stops, demonstrate all instructions clearly, use written game rules cards
physical disability
- Modify throwing distances, allow seated participation, use larger/softer equipment as needed
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills, following complex instructions, using tactical vocabulary
Maths
Counting scores and runs, measuring distances for court setup, understanding shapes (pentagon bases)
Science
Forces in throwing, trajectory and angles, understanding cause and effect in tactics
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, managing emotions during competition, resilience when losing
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position to see all three game areas, rotate between groups during main activities
Observation Focus
Watch for correct throwing techniques, positive team communication, fair play, and tactical understanding
Intervention Points
Step in when unsafe throwing occurs, poor sportsmanship develops, or students become overly frustrated
Demonstration Notes
Use competent students to demonstrate tactics and techniques, exaggerate key teaching points for visibility, show both correct and incorrect examples
Verbal Cues
- •'Look at your target before throwing!'
- •'Step and follow through!'
- •'Great teamwork - you're communicating well!'
- •'Remember to throw away from the fielders!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large indoor hall or outdoor area minimum 30m x 20m for 3 simultaneous games
Surface Check
Flat, non-slip surface free from obstacles, adequate drainage if outdoors
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check tennis balls are not split or damaged
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify markers are clearly visible and securely positioned
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to head/face during competitive games
- •Collisions between students during running games
- •Overexertion during intensive game periods
- •Disputes leading to unsafe behaviour
Risk Mitigation
- •Enforce underarm throwing only in Mini Tennis
- •Establish clear throwing directions away from other groups
- •Batter walks rather than runs in pentagon game for control
- •Regular water breaks during intensive periods
- •Clear boundaries between different game areas
- •Immediate stop signal when unsafe behaviour observed
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all three game areas simultaneously
- •Move between groups to provide close supervision during competitive phases
- •Monitor for signs of overexertion or frustration
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required