Lesson 2 - Sending to Different Court Areas
Partnership to Competition
•Year 2
•Sending and Receiving
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can we control where our ball goes by changing our throwing technique?
Learning Objectives
- To use different throwing techniques to send a ball to specific areas of the court
- To develop accuracy in sending balls to front court and back court
- To work cooperatively as a team to move the ball around the court
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate accurate underarm and overarm throws to target areas
- Students will show improved ball control and catching skills
- Students will work effectively in teams to pass and receive balls
Equipment & Resources Required
Pre-positioned around court perimeter for easy access
Alternative: Large soft foam balls, playground balls
Set at appropriate height for Year 2 (approximately 1.8m)
Alternative: Elastic bands between posts, ribbons tied across area
Mark clear front court and back court areas
Alternative: Chalk lines, rope boundaries, foam markers
Placed in front and back court areas as targets
Alternative: Chalk circles, rope circles, marked squares
Key Vocabulary
The area of the court closest to the net
The area of the court furthest from the net
Throwing the ball with hand starting below shoulder level and moving upwards
Throwing the ball with hand starting above shoulder level
The person who starts the activity by throwing the ball to the team
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic throwing and catching with two hands
- Understanding of high and low throws
- Simple partner work activities
Current Skills
- Accurate placement of throws to specific court areas
- Team cooperation in ball movement sequences
- Switching between underarm and overarm techniques
Next Steps
- Introducing simple serving techniques
- Competitive team sending and receiving games
- Beginning to understand court positioning
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- High, long throws reach the back court - low, gentle throws reach the front court
- Sitting position helps students focus on throwing accuracy rather than movement
- Team sequences must be followed exactly to develop passing patterns
- Encourage accuracy over power in all throwing activities
- Rotation system ensures all students experience different positions and challenges
Common Misconceptions
- Harder throws are always better - emphasise control and accuracy over power
- Front court throws need same technique as back court - teach different techniques for different targets
- Standing gives better throwing - explain benefits of sitting for learning basic accuracy
- Catching is just about hands - teach whole body positioning and preparation
- Teams should rush through sequences - emphasise quality over speed
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, clear role definitions, regular movement and position changes
dyspraxia
- Larger balls for easier catching, simplified throwing technique, extra practice time for sequences
autism spectrum
- Clear visual sequence cards, consistent routines, quiet zone available if overwhelmed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls, verbal descriptions of court layout, tactile markers for boundaries
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, written instruction cards, visual signals for sequence changes
physical disability
- Adapt to standing/wheelchair position, modify throwing distance, use lighter balls if needed
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting sequences and rotations, measuring distances to targets, understanding angles in ball flight
Science
Forces and motion in ball flight, gravity affecting ball trajectory, energy transfer in throwing
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding directions (front/back), mapping court areas
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, encouragement and support, dealing with mistakes positively
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter to observe all groups, position at corner for maximum court visibility
Observation Focus
Watch for correct throwing technique, team cooperation, and adherence to sequences
Intervention Points
["Step in if throwing becoming too forceful", "Assist teams struggling with rotation system", "Support students finding sitting position difficult"]
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements to show technique, position where all students can see clearly
Verbal Cues
- •'Smooth arm swing for back court!'
- •'Gentle throw for front court!'
- •'Stay sitting to focus on your throws!'
- •'Great teamwork, keep communicating!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Sports hall or large outdoor court area, minimum 15m x 8m per court
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, free from water or debris, appropriate footwear worn
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check balls are properly inflated and undamaged
- •Ensure net height appropriate for age group
- •Verify court markers are visible and secure
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball impacts to head or body
- •Slips and falls during movement
- •Collisions between students
- •Overexertion in throwing
Risk Mitigation
- •Sitting position reduces collision risk
- •Clear throwing directions established
- •Adequate spacing between teams
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all teams simultaneously
- •Monitor throwing technique to prevent overexertion
- •Watch for fatigue signs in feeders
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, apply appropriate first aid, contact school office if needed