Lesson 4 - Catching & Throwing Skills
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•Year 4
•Health Related Fitness
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How can we use our hands, eyes and feet together to become better at catching and throwing?
Learning Objectives
- To complete actions to develop hand-eye coordination
- To demonstrate throwing and catching skills with increasing accuracy
- To work cooperatively with partners to improve coordination
Key Outcomes
- Students will be able to throw two balls simultaneously with control
- Students will move purposefully to catch a tennis ball after one bounce
- Students will demonstrate improved coordination through progressive challenges
Equipment & Resources Required
Store in central basket for easy distribution
Alternative: Bean bags, small foam balls, juggling balls
Various sizes for different marking purposes
Alternative: Markers, bean bags, chalk lines
For differentiation and support activities
Alternative: Larger foam balls, volleyballs
Key Vocabulary
The ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently
The ability to track objects with eyes and respond accurately with hands
Balanced stance with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, ready to move
Throwing technique with arm moving forward in an underhand motion
Following the ball with your eyes throughout its movement
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic throwing and catching with two hands
- Understanding of ready position and balance
- Experience with ball and wall coordination challenges
Current Skills
- Simultaneous two-ball throwing
- Moving to catch balls after bounces
- Hand-eye coordination under time pressure
Next Steps
- Advanced catching techniques with smaller targets
- Multi-directional movement while maintaining ball control
- Coordination activities with multiple objects
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Maintain ready position throughout all activities - feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent
- Always track the ball with your eyes from release to catch
- Check partner is ready before throwing - eye contact and hands visible
- Use smooth, controlled movements rather than rushed actions
- Encourage fair play and honest self-management during games
- Adapt throwing force based on distance and partner's ability
- Celebrate effort and improvement, not just successful catches
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking coordination is just about throwing hard - emphasise control and accuracy
- Believing you can't improve coordination - stress that it develops with practice
- Focusing only on hands during catching - highlight importance of foot positioning and body balance
- Rushing movements for speed - teach that smooth, controlled actions are more effective
- Giving up after mistakes - explain that errors are part of learning process
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, clear boundaries, regular movement breaks, positive reinforcement system
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment, simplified movements, extra practice time, step-by-step verbal guidance
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual activity schedule, quiet zones available, consistent partner pairing
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls, verbal descriptions of ball flight, tactile markers for boundaries
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written activity cards
physical disability
- Seated catching activities, larger balls, modified throwing distances, alternative equipment
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following multi-step instructions, using descriptive vocabulary for movement, communication skills
Maths
Counting successful catches, measuring distances, understanding spatial relationships and angles
Science
Forces and motion in ball flight, gravity effects on bouncing balls, reaction times
PSHE
Cooperation and teamwork, dealing with success and failure, encouraging others
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location during warm-up, move between pairs/groups during activities for individual feedback
Observation Focus
Watch for correct ready position, ball tracking, throwing technique, and cooperative behaviour
Intervention Points
Step in if unsafe throwing, poor sportsmanship, or students struggling with basic techniques
Demonstration Notes
Use teaching assistant or confident student for partner work demonstrations, exaggerate key techniques for visibility
Verbal Cues
- •'Ready position - feet apart, knees bent!'
- •'Track the ball with your eyes!'
- •'Soft hands for catching!'
- •'Check your partner is ready!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m area, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Even, dry surface suitable for running and sudden direction changes
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check tennis balls are in good condition with no cracks
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or damage
- •Verify adequate equipment quantity to avoid sharing conflicts
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during movement activities
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Slips and falls during quick direction changes
- •Overexertion during competitive activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Establish clear boundaries and movement rules
- •Emphasise controlled movements over speed
- •Teach safe catching technique with hands ready
- •Monitor competitive spirit to prevent unsafe behaviour
- •Ensure adequate spacing between activity areas
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all groups
- •Move between activities to monitor technique and safety
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or frustration
Emergency Procedures
STOP signal for immediate activity cessation, first aid procedures for minor injuries, clear evacuation routes identified