Lesson 1 - Ready Position and Catching
Individual & Team Skills
•Year 3
•Handball
•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 use our body position to become catching champions?
Learning Objectives
- Use the ready position to catch effectively with correct body positioning
- Perform underarm throws efficiently and accurately to teammates
- Apply catching and throwing skills in simple game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate the ready position with bent knees, hands together, and eyes tracking the ball
- Students will successfully catch balls from stationary positions using correct technique
- Students will execute accurate underarm throws to partners standing 2-3 metres away
Equipment & Resources Required
Pre-positioned around the playing area perimeter for easy collection
Alternative: Foam balls, tennis balls, or playground balls for different skill levels
Used to identify defenders in game activities
Alternative: Coloured bands, pinnies, or different coloured shirts
Mark playing area boundaries and safe zones
Alternative: Markers, spots, or natural boundaries
Key Vocabulary
The correct body position to prepare for catching - hands together like a bowl, knees bent, eyes on the ball
A throwing technique where the ball is released below shoulder height with an underhand motion
Following the ball's movement with your eyes from the thrower to your hands
Stopping or catching a ball that is being passed between other players
The player trying to stop the other team from passing or scoring
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball familiarisation from Year 2
- Simple throwing and catching with large balls
- Understanding of personal space and following instructions
Current Skills
- Ready position for catching
- Two-handed catching technique
- Underarm throwing with accuracy
- Basic game application
Next Steps
- Overarm throwing techniques
- Catching while moving
- Defensive positioning in games
- Team tactics and communication
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Ready position is fundamental - hands together like a bowl, knees bent, eyes on ball
- Catching requires tracking the ball with eyes from thrower to hands
- Underarm throwing uses opposite foot forward and smooth arm swing
- Accuracy is more important than power in throwing
- Communication and encouragement improve team performance
- Practice makes progress - celebrate improvement over perfection
- Game skills develop through applying techniques under pressure
Common Misconceptions
- Students think they need to throw hard to be accurate - emphasise gentle, controlled throws
- Many children close their eyes when ball approaches - stress importance of watching ball all the way
- Some believe catching is just about hands - teach whole body involvement with ready position
- Students may think game rules don't matter - reinforce fair play and rule adherence
- Children often rush when under pressure - encourage taking time to use proper technique
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with regular changes, clear boundaries marked visually, frequent positive feedback, movement breaks as needed
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment for easier handling, extra practice time for skill development, simplified movement patterns, additional verbal cues
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of lesson activities, quiet zones available if needed, consistent routines, advance warning of activity changes
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for guidance, audio cues for ball location
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written key points on display, peer support for communication
physical disability
- Seated versions of catching practice, modified equipment (larger/lighter balls), adjusted distances, alternative roles in games
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Vocabulary development with technical terms, communication skills during partner work, following and giving instructions
Maths
Counting consecutive catches, measuring distances between partners, calculating group scores in keep away games
Science
Understanding forces in throwing, discussing how muscles work during catching, exploring balance and coordination
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, managing emotions during competitive activities, resilience when learning new skills
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around the perimeter for optimal viewing of all groups, central position during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for correct ready position adoption, throwing technique, and positive interaction between students
Intervention Points
Step in if throwing becomes too forceful, students are struggling with technique, or game play becomes unfair
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for ready position, demonstrate throwing technique slowly multiple times, involve confident students in demonstrations
Verbal Cues
- •'Bowl hands together!'
- •'Bend those knees!'
- •'Eyes on the ball!'
- •'Soft throws to help your partner!'
- •'Step and point!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m playing area with clear boundaries and no obstacles
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from stones, holes, or slippery areas that could cause falls
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all balls are properly inflated and free from damage
- •Ensure bibs are clean and in good condition
- •Confirm cones have no sharp edges or cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball striking students in face if thrown too hard
- •Collisions between students during game activities
- •Slips and falls on unsuitable surfaces
- •Contact between defenders and attackers in keep away game
Risk Mitigation
- •Emphasise gentle throwing throughout lesson
- •Establish clear boundaries and safe spacing
- •Reinforce no-contact rule for defenders
- •Progressive skill building before competitive elements
- •Continuous supervision of all activities
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all groups during game play
- •Monitor throwing force especially during partner work
- •Watch for fatigue affecting decision-making and safety
- •Ensure fair play and rule adherence in competitive activities
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess severity, provide appropriate first aid, seek additional support if required