Lesson 1 - Ball Sending and Receiving
Net Rally Fundamentals
•Year 2
•Net and Wall
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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- Complete activity instructions & timing
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How can we become ball magicians who can send and receive with amazing accuracy?
Learning Objectives
- To send and receive a ball with some degree of accuracy
- To move quickly into good positions for catching
- To understand what a position of readiness looks like
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved throwing and catching accuracy
- Students will show quick movement to good catching positions
- Students will maintain ready position with weight on balls of feet
Equipment & Resources Required
Pre-distributed around activity area perimeter
Alternative: Tennis balls, playground balls for advanced groups
For boundaries, targets, and central points
Alternative: Spots, markers, or hoops
Placed 5 metres from team starting positions
Alternative: Chalk circles or cone squares
For warm-up activity, ensure secure attachment
Alternative: Ribbons or fabric strips
For dodgeball variant - safety priority
Alternative: Foam balls or very soft playground balls
Key Vocabulary
Standing with weight on balls of feet, knees slightly bent, eyes watching the ball
Throwing the ball from below shoulder height with arm swinging forwards
Following the ball's flight path with your eyes from release to catch
A specific area or height to aim for when throwing
Throwing or catching precisely where intended
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball handling and simple catching
- Understanding of personal space
- Following simple instructions in PE
Current Skills
- Underarm throwing with accuracy
- Catching with two hands consistently
- Moving into ready position quickly
Next Steps
- Overarm throwing techniques
- One-handed catching skills
- Game application with opponents
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Ready position with weight on balls of feet is fundamental to all catching success
- Tracking the ball with eyes from release to catch improves accuracy significantly
- Underarm throwing provides better accuracy than overarm for this age group
- Partner cooperation and encouragement enhances learning more than competition
- Progressive challenges build confidence before introducing complex game situations
- Linking movement with ball skills requires patience and systematic practice
- Self-assessment helps students understand their own learning journey
Common Misconceptions
- Students think throwing harder makes it more accurate - emphasise control over power
- Many believe catching is just about hands - teach whole body positioning
- Assumption that games are more important than skill practice - stress skill foundation first
- Students think ready position is static - emphasise active, bouncing stance
- Misconception that dropping balls means failure - frame as learning opportunities
- Belief that being 'good' means never making mistakes - celebrate improvement over perfection
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries and expectations, offer movement breaks, use positive reinforcement frequently
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment initially, reduce complexity of movements, provide extra practice time, offer step-by-step visual guides
autism spectrum
- Provide clear visual schedules, establish consistent routines, offer quiet zones for breaks, use social stories for game rules
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, establish clear audio cues for activities, allow tactile exploration of ready position
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, establish hand signals for instructions, provide written instruction cards, ensure face-to-face communication
physical disability
- Modify throwing distances, provide seated catching options, use larger lightweight balls, adapt running activities to suit mobility
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following complex instructions, using descriptive vocabulary for movement, explaining techniques to others
Maths
Counting consecutive catches, measuring throwing distances, recording scores and team achievements
Science
Understanding forces in throwing, gravity effects on ball flight, reaction times in catching
PSHE
Cooperation and teamwork, supporting others' learning, perseverance through challenges, celebrating different achievements
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move constantly between groups to observe technique, position at corners for maximum visibility during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for ready position maintenance, throwing accuracy development, and cooperative behaviour in partners
Intervention Points
Step in when technique breaks down significantly, safety concerns arise, or students become frustrated
Demonstration Notes
Use successful students to model good technique, exaggerate key points for visual clarity, break down complex skills into simple steps
Verbal Cues
- •'Soft hands for catching!'
- •'Bounce on your toes!'
- •'Track that ball with your eyes!'
- •'Aim for the chest target!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 25m clear space for activities, indoor hall or outdoor hard court surface
Surface Check
Dry, non-slip surface free from obstacles, adequate lighting for ball tracking
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all balls properly inflated and undamaged
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Soft/balloon balls used for dodgeball activities only
- •Equipment stored safely around perimeter when not in use
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to face or body during throwing activities
- •Collisions between students during movement and running
- •Trips and falls during quick directional changes
- •Overexertion during competitive activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear throwing boundaries established and maintained
- •Adequate spacing between pairs and groups throughout
- •Soft balls used for all dodgeball variants
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
- •Clear rules for safe movement around partners
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all activity areas
- •Monitor throwing techniques to ensure safe underarm action
- •Watch for signs of fatigue during extended activities
- •Ensure fair play and safe contact in game situations
Emergency Procedures
Stop signal established, first aid kit accessible, clear evacuation routes maintained, incident reporting procedures followed