Lesson 4 - Target Hitting Techniques
Striking Basics
•Year 2
•Striking & Fielding
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can we use different equipment and techniques to accurately hit a ball to specific targets?
Learning Objectives
- Experiment with different bats to discover which are easier or harder to use
- Make strategic choices about where to hit the ball using various techniques
- Work cooperatively to practice hitting skills with a partner
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate hitting skills using at least three different pieces of equipment
- Students will successfully hit balls to designated targets with increasing accuracy
- Students will explain which equipment they found most effective and why
Equipment & Resources Required
Various sizes for different hand sizes
Alternative: Plastic paddles, small cricket bats
Child-sized cricket bats preferred
Alternative: Rounders bats, softball bats
Lightweight rounders bats suitable for Year 2
Alternative: Baseball bats, short cricket bats
Mix of regular and softer balls for safety
Alternative: Soft practice balls, foam balls
For body part hitting activities
Alternative: Foam balls, bean bags
Easy to grip for hand hitting
Alternative: Ping pong balls, small rubber balls
Various sizes for different target difficulties
Alternative: Buckets, marked zones with cones
For marking target lines and boundaries
Alternative: Markers, chalk lines
For static ball hitting practice
Alternative: Plastic bottles, makeshift stands
Key Vocabulary
A specific area or zone you aim to hit the ball towards
The moment the bat or hand touches the ball
Continuing the hitting movement after contact with the ball
Dropping or throwing the ball to yourself before hitting it
Throwing the ball with an underarm motion to a partner
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic throwing and catching skills
- Simple striking movements with hand
- Understanding of taking turns and following instructions
Current Skills
- Hitting with various bats and equipment
- Aiming at targets with increasing accuracy
- Adapting technique to different equipment
Next Steps
- Hitting moving balls with accuracy
- Game application of hitting skills
- Strategic placement of hits in game situations
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Watch the ball from delivery all the way to contact point
- Different equipment requires different techniques and grips
- Accuracy is more important than power when learning hitting skills
- Follow through in the direction you want the ball to go
- Cooperative practice helps everyone improve their skills
- Making contact with the ball is the first priority before adding power
- Equipment choice should match the task and personal ability level
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking harder swings always produce better results - correct by emphasising control and accuracy first
- Believing one piece of equipment is always 'best' - explain that different equipment suits different tasks and people
- Assuming hitting technique is the same regardless of equipment - demonstrate how grip and stance change with different bats
- Focusing only on power rather than placement - emphasise that smart hitting beats hard hitting
- Thinking that struggling with equipment means they're not good at hitting - reassure that different equipment suits different people
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Use shorter station times, provide frequent movement breaks, offer choice of preferred equipment, clear boundaries
dyspraxia
- Use larger, lighter equipment, slower ball delivery, provide extra practice time, simplify technique instructions
autism spectrum
- Provide clear station rotation schedule, offer quiet zone for breaks, use visual timetable for lesson structure
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of target locations, employ buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for station changes, written instruction cards at each station
physical disability
- Provide seated hitting options, use lighter equipment, adjust target distances, allow static ball placement
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting successful hits, measuring distances to targets, calculating group scores, understanding angles of ball direction
Science
Forces applied to balls, trajectory and flight paths, friction between bat and ball, energy transfer during hitting
Geography
Directions and angles of ball travel, spatial awareness of targets, mapping station positions around area
PSHE
Turn-taking and fair play, celebrating others' successes, perseverance when learning new skills, team cooperation
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move continuously between stations and groups, position for maximum visibility of all students
Observation Focus
Watch for safe equipment handling, fair turn-taking, technique development, and positive cooperation
Intervention Points
Step in for unsafe behaviour, provide technique tips, resolve conflicts, encourage reluctant participants
Demonstration Notes
Use enthusiastic demonstrations, involve students in showing good technique, provide visual examples at each station
Verbal Cues
- •'Watch the ball all the way to your bat!'
- •'Follow through towards your target!'
- •'Great choice of equipment for that shot!'
- •'Remember to take turns fairly!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large indoor hall or outdoor area, minimum 20m x 15m clear space
Surface Check
Non-slip surface free from water, debris, or obstacles
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •All bats checked for damage, splinters, or loose parts
- •Balls inflated to appropriate levels
- •Hoops and cones have no sharp edges or cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to other students
- •Collisions during ball collection
- •Equipment handling injuries
- •Trips over scattered equipment
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries between stations and groups
- •No ball collection during active hitting
- •Supervised equipment distribution and collection
- •Adequate spacing between all activities
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Adult positioned to observe multiple stations
- •Regular scanning for unsafe behaviours
- •Clear sight lines maintained at all times
- •Quick access to first aid if required
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately with whistle signal, assess injury, apply appropriate first aid, contact office if serious