Lesson 4 - Coordination and Multi-Limb Control
Fitness Discovery & Challenge
•Year 3
•Health Related Fitness
•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 train our body and brain to work together more effectively?
Learning Objectives
- To develop hand-eye coordination through catching and throwing activities
- To understand how different body parts work together during movement
- To improve bilateral coordination using two balls simultaneously
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved catching technique with tennis balls
- Students will successfully coordinate throwing two objects at the same time
- Students will explain what coordination means and give examples
Equipment & Resources Required
Pre-distributed around activity area perimeter
Alternative: Bean bags, small foam balls, juggling balls
Used for boundaries, targets, and distance markers
Alternative: Markers, chalk lines, masking tape
Available for students needing larger target/easier catching
Alternative: Size 3 footballs, netballs
Key Vocabulary
The ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently
The ability of the hands and eyes to work together to perform tasks accurately
Using both sides of the body together in a coordinated way
Balanced stance with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, hands ready
Throwing technique where the hand moves forward and upward from below
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic throwing and catching with larger balls
- Understanding of ready position and balance
- Simple hand-eye coordination activities
Current Skills
- Tennis ball catching and throwing
- Bilateral coordination with two objects
- Moving to catch while maintaining control
Next Steps
- Complex multi-ball juggling patterns
- Sport-specific coordination skills
- Advanced reaction time activities
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Coordination improves with practice and requires patience
- Ready position is fundamental to all catching and throwing
- Visual tracking of the ball is essential for successful catching
- Communication between partners enhances cooperation and success
- Fair play and honesty are more important than winning
- Different difficulty levels allow everyone to succeed
- Real-world application extends learning beyond PE lessons
Common Misconceptions
- Coordination is only about hand-eye skills (it involves whole body)
- Some people can never improve coordination (practice always helps)
- Catching is just about hand position (body position and timing crucial)
- Competitive games are only about winning (learning and fairness matter more)
- Coordination activities are only useful in PE (applies to many life skills)
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Frequent activity changes, clear boundaries, movement opportunities throughout, immediate feedback and praise for focus
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment, simplified movement patterns, extra demonstration time, step-by-step instruction breakdown, success criteria adjusted
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet zones available, reduced sensory input options like softer balls
visual impairment
- Use bright yellow or orange tennis balls, provide audio cues for catching, buddy system with sighted partner, tactile boundaries with rope
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for 'swipe' commands, written instruction cards, ensure face-to-face communication
physical disability
- Larger, softer balls for easier catching, seated catching activities, modified throwing distances, peer support for equipment handling
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following complex instructions, using coordination vocabulary accurately, explaining concepts clearly to others
Maths
Counting successful catches, measuring distances between partners, timing activities, calculating success rates
Science
Understanding nervous system response, reaction times, how practice improves neural pathways, physics of ball bouncing
PSHE
Cooperation and fair play, managing frustration when catching is difficult, encouraging others, honest self-assessment
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around the space to observe all students, position at corner for maximum visibility during games
Observation Focus
Watch for coordination development, catching technique improvement, and cooperation between partners
Intervention Points
Step in if students struggling with coordination concepts, unsafe throwing, or unfair play
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements when demonstrating. Show both correct and incorrect technique for comparison. Involve confident students in demonstrations.
Verbal Cues
- •'Watch the ball all the way!'
- •'Ready position - knees bent!'
- •'Gentle throw to help your partner succeed!'
- •'Use both hands to catch!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m clear space, indoor hall or outdoor hard surface
Surface Check
Even, non-slip surface free from water or debris
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Tennis balls in good condition without cracks
- •Cones with no sharp edges or breaks
- •Adequate equipment for all students
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Tennis balls hitting students
- •Collisions during competitive games
- •Slips when moving to catch
- •Overexertion during continuous activity
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established between groups
- •Controlled throwing speeds emphasised
- •Partners check readiness before throwing
- •Adequate spacing maintained throughout
- •Progressive skill building reduces injury risk
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all groups
- •Monitor throwing speeds and distances
- •Watch for fatigue during extended activities
- •Ensure fair play and good sportsmanship
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, seek medical attention if needed