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Lesson 4 - Target Hitting Techniques

Striking Basics

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Year 2

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Striking & Fielding

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45 min

Big Question

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

Tennis Rackets

10-12

Various sizes for different hand sizes

Alternative: Plastic paddles, small cricket bats

Cricket Equipment

6-8

Child-sized cricket bats preferred

Alternative: Rounders bats, softball bats

Rounders Equipment

6-8

Lightweight rounders bats suitable for Year 2

Alternative: Baseball bats, short cricket bats

Tennis Balls

20-25

Mix of regular and softer balls for safety

Alternative: Soft practice balls, foam balls

Soft Dodgeballs

15-20

For body part hitting activities

Alternative: Foam balls, bean bags

Small Balls

15-20

Easy to grip for hand hitting

Alternative: Ping pong balls, small rubber balls

Hoops

15-20

Various sizes for different target difficulties

Alternative: Buckets, marked zones with cones

Cones

20-25

For marking target lines and boundaries

Alternative: Markers, chalk lines

Tee Stands

8-10

For static ball hitting practice

Alternative: Plastic bottles, makeshift stands

Key Vocabulary

Target

A specific area or zone you aim to hit the ball towards

Contact

The moment the bat or hand touches the ball

Follow through

Continuing the hitting movement after contact with the ball

Self-feed

Dropping or throwing the ball to yourself before hitting it

Underarm bowl

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

Consistent contact with ball using different equipment

Accurate hitting to designated targets

Understanding of equipment advantages and disadvantages

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

Lesson 4 - Target Hitting Techniques

How can we use different equipment and techniques to accurately hit a ball to specific targets?

Learning Objectives

Key Outcomes

Equipment & Resources Required

Key Vocabulary

Skill Progression Pathway

Prior Learning

Current Skills

Next Steps

Milestone Indicators

Key Teaching Points

Common Misconceptions

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

dyspraxia

autism spectrum

visual impairment

hearing impairment

physical disability

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Science

Geography

PSHE

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Observation Focus

Intervention Points

Demonstration Notes

Verbal Cues

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Surface Check

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

Risk Management

Key Risks

Risk Mitigation

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

Emergency Procedures

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