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Big Question

How can developing ambidextrous skills and proper fielding techniques help us become more effective rounders players?

Learning Objectives

  • Develop accurate underarm bowling at consistent height
  • Improve ground fielding techniques and tactical decision-making
  • Demonstrate leadership skills in game situations

Key Outcomes

  • Students will bowl accurately with proper grip and technique
  • Students will select appropriate fielding techniques for different situations
  • Students will show leadership qualities during competitive activities

Equipment & Resources Required

Rounders Equipment
15

Distributed around activity areas and spare balls available

Alternative: Tennis balls or foam balls for less confident students

Cones
36 (3 sets of 12 for warm-up)

Set in rows of 2, spaced 2 metres apart for warm-up activity

Alternative: Markers or bean bags

Hoops
6-8

Used as bowling targets at 5-metre distance

Alternative: Targets made from cones or chalk circles

Sun Markers
As needed

Three courts marked out for Danish Longball games

Alternative: Cones or painted lines

Key Vocabulary

Ambidextrous

Able to use both hands equally well for skills and activities

Underarm bowling

A bowling technique where the ball is released below shoulder height with an underhand motion

Ground fielding

Techniques for collecting balls that are rolling or bouncing along the ground

Backlift

The upward movement of the bat before striking the ball

Leadership

Taking responsibility and guiding others to achieve team goals

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

  • Basic throwing and catching skills
  • Simple underarm bowling technique
  • Understanding of team games

Current Skills

  • Accurate bowling with consistency
  • Ground fielding technique selection
  • Leadership in competitive situations

Next Steps

  • Advanced tactical awareness in fielding positions
  • Batting technique with backlift
  • Complex game strategies and captaincy

Milestone Indicators

1
Consistent accuracy in bowling through target
2
Quick decision-making in fielding situations
3
Confident leadership during game activities

Key Teaching Points

  • Ambidextrous skills significantly improve fielding effectiveness by allowing appropriate hand selection
  • Loose bowling grip with fingertip release creates better accuracy and consistency than tight gripping
  • Different fielding situations require different techniques - one-handed for quick reactions, two-handed for controlled collection
  • Leadership in sports takes many forms including encouragement, organisation, and helping others improve
  • Tactical awareness develops through understanding game situations and making good decisions under pressure
  • Self-assessment helps students take ownership of their learning and development
  • Safety in striking games requires proper technique, awareness of others, and following established rules

Common Misconceptions

  • Students believe they must always use their dominant hand - emphasise efficiency of using nearest hand to ball
  • Thinking that bowling hard equals bowling accurately - stress control and technique over power
  • Assuming leadership means being the loudest person - highlight quiet leadership through example and support
  • Believing that fielding technique is always the same - teach adaptability based on ball speed and direction
  • Misconception that mistakes mean failure - emphasise learning opportunities and improvement through practice
  • Thinking that only team captains can show leadership - encourage all students to find leadership opportunities

SEN Adaptations

ADHD
  • Shorter activity segments with frequent changes, clear boundaries for movement, regular movement breaks, specific roles and responsibilities in team games
dyspraxia
  • Larger, softer balls for easier handling, simplified movement patterns, additional practice time for coordination, step-by-step skill breakdown with visual aids
autism spectrum
  • Clear routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet zone available for breaks, predictable team groupings, advanced warning of activity changes
visual impairment
  • Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of all demonstrations, use tactile markers for court boundaries, buddy system for navigation
hearing impairment
  • Ensure visual demonstrations are clear, use hand signals for communication, provide written instruction cards, use visual cues for game rules
physical disability
  • Seated bowling and catching variations, modified distances for throwing, adapted grips for equipment, alternative roles in games such as scorer or tactical advisor

Cross-Curricular Links

Science

Understanding forces in bowling and throwing, trajectory and angle concepts, reaction times in fielding

Geography

Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding of directions and relative positions on court

PSHE

Leadership development, teamwork skills, resilience when facing challenges, celebrating others' success

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move between activity groups during skill development, central position for game overview with ability to quickly access all courts

Observation Focus

Technical skill development in early sections, leadership behaviours during games, safety compliance throughout

Intervention Points

Step in immediately for safety concerns, provide technique correction during skill practice, facilitate discussion during reflection time

Demonstration Notes

Use clear, exaggerated movements for technique demonstration, involve students in demonstrating good examples, connect demonstrations to game applications

Verbal Cues
  • 'Loose grip, fingers not palm!'
  • 'W-shape hands for catching!'
  • 'Use the nearest hand to the ball!'
  • 'Below head height only!'
  • 'Encourage your teammates!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large outdoor area or sports hall, minimum 30m x 40m with additional space for three courts

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from obstacles, check for any holes or uneven areas

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks
  • Check all balls are properly inflated and in good condition
  • Inspect rounders bats for cracks or splinters
  • Ensure cones and hoops are stable and visible
  • Verify court boundaries are clearly marked

Risk Management

Key Risks
  • Ball strikes from throwing activities
  • Collisions during running games
  • Unsafe bat handling during Danish Longball
  • Slips and falls on potentially wet surfaces
Risk Mitigation
  • Clear boundaries established for all throwing activities
  • Emphasis on below head-height throwing only
  • Proper bat carrying technique taught and monitored
  • Adequate spacing between activity groups maintained
  • Safe running routes clearly defined in game area

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points
  • Position to observe all three game courts simultaneously
  • Monitor throwing techniques and ball heights closely
  • Watch for safe bat handling throughout Danish Longball
  • Ensure equipment collection is organised and safe
Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately on whistle signal, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or seek medical assistance, ensure other students remain safe and calm