Lesson 1 - Hitting and Scoring Points
Striking Basics
•Year 2
•Striking & Fielding
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can we use hitting skills to score the maximum points while working as a team?
Learning Objectives
- To develop fundamental hitting skills using hands or bats
- To understand team tactics in fielding situations
- To make strategic decisions about ball placement
Key Outcomes
- Students will hit a ball with increasing accuracy and control
- Students will demonstrate effective teamwork when fielding
- Students will make tactical choices about where to hit the ball
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed in equipment bag at side of area
Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls
Set up in diamond formation, 5 metres apart
Alternative: Bean bags, hoops
Available for extension activities
Alternative: Tennis racquets, hands only
Mark playing area boundaries
Alternative: Rope, chalk lines
Key Vocabulary
The position a batter takes before hitting the ball
Working as a team to collect and return the ball
Running to touch cones to score points
Making smart choices about where to hit the ball
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic hand-eye coordination
- Understanding of simple games
- Ability to run and stop safely
Current Skills
- Hitting a ball with hand or bat
- Strategic ball placement
- Team fielding coordination
Next Steps
- Bowling techniques
- Advanced batting stances
- Complex team strategies
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Side-on batting stance provides better hitting control and power
- Watching the ball from bowler's hand improves contact success
- Gentle bowling ensures positive hitting experiences for all students
- Strategic ball placement helps maximise scoring opportunities
- Team communication in fielding speeds up ball return
- Fair rotation ensures everyone experiences all game roles
- Safety through controlled hitting and clear boundaries
Common Misconceptions
- Harder hitting always scores more points - actually control and placement matter more
- Fielders should crowd around the batter - better positioned spread out
- Running to all bases is always best - sometimes strategic stopping scores more
- Only strong students can be good at hitting - technique and timing matter more than strength
- Competition means being unfriendly - good games include supporting all players
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, frequent position changes, clear role definitions
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment, reduced complexity, extra practice time, step-by-step breakdowns
autism spectrum
- Clear routines for rotation, visual schedule of activities, quiet zone available
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and cones, verbal cues for direction, buddy system for base running
hearing impairment
- Visual signals for start/stop, clear demonstrations, written instruction cards
physical disability
- Adapted hitting positions, wheelchair accessible bases, modified distances
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting points scored, measuring distances between bases, calculating team totals
Science
Understanding forces when hitting balls, trajectory and movement patterns
Geography
Spatial awareness, directions and positions on the field
PSHE
Teamwork skills, dealing with disappointment, celebrating others' success
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand where you can see both hitting area and fielding zones, move to support struggling groups
Observation Focus
Watch for hitting technique development, team cooperation, strategic thinking, and safety compliance
Intervention Points
Step in if hitting becomes too forceful, if children show frustration, or if safety rules are ignored
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate hitting technique slowly and clearly, emphasise safety aspects, show both hand and bat options
Verbal Cues
- •'Watch the ball!'
- •'Side-on stance!'
- •'Work together fielders!'
- •'Touch the cone clearly!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 20m, clear flat surface with run-off space around bases
Surface Check
Check for holes, wet patches, debris, or uneven surfaces before lesson
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Inspect soft balls for damage or hard spots
- •Check bats for cracks or splinters
- •Ensure cones are visible and stable
- •Verify no equipment in running paths
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to head or body
- •Collisions between runners and fielders
- •Trips over equipment or surface hazards
- •Overexertion in competitive situations
Risk Mitigation
- •Use only soft sponge balls for hitting practice
- •Establish clear fielding positions away from runner
- •Emphasise gentle hitting and bowling only
- •Clear boundaries and safe zones marked
- •Regular equipment safety checks
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe hitting area and base running
- •Monitor competitive behaviour and emotions
- •Watch for correct technique to prevent injury
- •Ensure rotation system prevents overexertion
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately for any injury, assess severity, provide appropriate first aid, contact office if needed