Lesson 4 - Long Barrier & Ball Stopping
Fielding Mastery
•Year 3
•Rounders
•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 fielders use their whole body as a barrier to prevent runs being scored?
Learning Objectives
- To learn and apply the long barrier technique to stop ground balls effectively
- To understand when and why to use different fielding methods in games
- To develop accurate rolling and retrieving skills under pressure
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate the long barrier technique with correct body positioning
- Students will apply fielding skills effectively to reduce opposition scoring
- Students will work collaboratively as a fielding team to support each other
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around activity areas
Alternative: Tennis balls, foam balls for safety
Used for gates, bases and boundaries
Alternative: Markers, spot markers, bean bags
To distinguish teams clearly
Alternative: Team bands, different coloured shirts
Key Vocabulary
A fielding technique where you position your whole body behind the ball to prevent it going past you
The team activity of stopping, catching and throwing the ball to prevent runs
Putting the ball on the base before the runner arrives to get them out
Getting the ball and returning it quickly to the right place
A ball that is rolling or bouncing along the ground
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball rolling and catching skills
- Understanding of batting and fielding roles
- Experience of racing rounders games
Current Skills
- Long barrier technique for ground balls
- Accurate rolling between bases
- Team fielding coordination
Next Steps
- Catching high balls and throws
- Advanced fielding positions
- Game tactics and field placement
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Body positioning is crucial - always get behind the ball path for long barrier
- Two hands are safer and more secure than one hand for scooping
- Team communication is essential for effective fielding
- Start with gentle rolls and build up speed gradually
- Celebrate successful techniques even if the outcome isn't perfect
- Long barrier is a safety technique - it's okay if hands miss the ball
- Practice makes permanent - focus on correct technique over speed
Common Misconceptions
- That fielding is less important than batting - emphasise both roles are equally crucial
- That the long barrier is only for when you miss with your hands - explain it's a proactive safety technique
- That throwing hard is always better - teach accuracy over power
- That individual skill matters more than teamwork - reinforce cooperative elements
- That mistakes mean failure - frame errors as learning opportunities
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries and expectations, use positive movement breaks
dyspraxia
- Allow extra practice time for technique, use larger equipment, provide step-by-step visual guides, celebrate small improvements
autism spectrum
- Provide clear visual schedule of lesson structure, allow quiet break space if needed, use consistent routines and language
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations and hand signals, written instruction cards, ensure student can see teacher's face when speaking
physical disability
- Adapt to seated long barrier position, use larger balls for easier handling, modify distances and allow walking
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Technical vocabulary development, giving clear instructions to teammates, descriptive language for technique
Maths
Counting successful stops and team scores, measuring distances between bases, calculating team averages
Science
Forces and motion - how ball speed affects stopping difficulty, friction between ball and ground
Geography
Directional language and spatial awareness, mapping movement patterns around the pitch
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when making mistakes, celebrating others' success
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter for visibility of all groups, position behind fielding teams during games to observe technique
Observation Focus
Watch for consistent long barrier use, team communication, safe play and positive attitudes
Intervention Points
Step in when students not using correct technique, when games become too competitive, or if safety concerns arise
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate at student eye level, use exaggerated movements for visibility, repeat key points multiple times
Verbal Cues
- •'Body behind the ball!'
- •'Two hands to scoop!'
- •'Talk to your team!'
- •'Roll accurately to your target!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m hall or outdoor area with clear boundaries
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from stones, holes or slippery areas
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Use only soft rounders balls - no hard cricket balls
- •Check cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Ensure adequate ball inflation for safe handling
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collision between students during running
- •Ball strikes from hard throwing
- •Knee injury from incorrect kneeling on hard surfaces
- •Trips and falls during dynamic movement
Risk Mitigation
- •Establish clear boundaries between activity areas
- •Enforce rolling only rule - no hard throwing
- •Check for soft surface before kneeling activities
- •Maintain adequate spacing during all activities
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for clear view of all activity areas
- •Monitor game intensity to prevent over-competitiveness
- •Watch for correct long barrier technique to prevent injury
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, appropriate first aid response, contact school first aider if needed