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Lesson 1 - Ball Sending and Receiving

Net Rally Fundamentals

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Year 2

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Net and Wall

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59 min

Big Question

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

Balls

1 per 2 students (15)

Pre-distributed around activity area perimeter

Alternative: Tennis balls, playground balls for advanced groups

Cones

20-25 cones

For boundaries, targets, and central points

Alternative: Spots, markers, or hoops

Hoops

6 hoops

Placed 5 metres from team starting positions

Alternative: Chalk circles or cone squares

Bibs

8-10 pieces

For warm-up activity, ensure secure attachment

Alternative: Ribbons or fabric strips

Balloon Balls

4-6 balls

For dodgeball variant - safety priority

Alternative: Foam balls or very soft playground balls

Key Vocabulary

Ready position

Standing with weight on balls of feet, knees slightly bent, eyes watching the ball

Underarm throw

Throwing the ball from below shoulder height with arm swinging forwards

Tracking

Following the ball's flight path with your eyes from release to catch

Target

A specific area or height to aim for when throwing

Accuracy

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

Consecutive catches without dropping

Consistent ready position maintenance

Smooth linking of throw-catch-move sequences

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