Lesson 1 - Throwing & Catching Under Pressure
Advanced Skills & Application
•Year 6
•Cricket
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How can we maintain accurate throwing and catching skills when under pressure in game situations?
Learning Objectives
- To catch consistently well under pressure using correct technique
- To throw accurately using overarm technique with proper body positioning
- To demonstrate batting technique including safe running between wickets
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate consistent catching under pressure
- Students will show accurate overarm throwing with technical precision
- Students will link cricket skills to perform effective game sequences
Equipment & Resources Required
Check all balls for damage, ensure appropriate firmness for age group
Alternative: Bean bags, softball, foam balls for beginners
Position at North, East, South, West points of diamond shape
Alternative: Cones, markers, or posts if stumps unavailable
Mark clear crease lines at each set of stumps
Alternative: Cones, rope, or tape for ground markings
Key Vocabulary
Throwing technique with arm going over the shoulder for power and accuracy
Ready stance as a fielder with knees bent, hands ready, eyes focused
Catching technique where hands give slightly on contact to cushion the ball
Running technique where bat is slid along ground over the crease line
Practice situation where multiple pairs throw and catch simultaneously
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic underarm throwing and catching
- Simple striking with bat
- Understanding of basic cricket rules
Current Skills
- Catching under pressure
- Overarm throwing technique
- Safe running between wickets
- Linking skills in game situations
Next Steps
- Advanced fielding positions
- Tactical bowling variations
- Complex batting strategies
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Catching technique: soft hands, eye tracking, cushioning on contact
- Overarm throwing: high elbow, side-on stance, complete follow through
- Pressure application: maintain technique quality when distracted or rushed
- Game awareness: link individual skills into effective team performance
- Safety consciousness: spatial awareness and appropriate force in throws
- Teamwork: communication, encouragement and shared responsibility
- Progressive challenge: adapt difficulty to maintain engagement for all
Common Misconceptions
- Hard hands will catch better - actually soft hands cushion and control the ball
- Throwing harder means more accurate - technique and consistency matter more than power
- Individual skills are enough - cricket requires linking skills together effectively
- All batsmen must run every time - it's a strategic choice based on situation
- Catching is just about hand position - whole body positioning affects success
- Pressure always makes performance worse - practice helps maintain skills under pressure
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Use shorter activity bursts with clear boundaries, provide movement breaks, offer specific roles and responsibilities, use positive behaviour support
dyspraxia
- Use larger, slower balls initially, break skills into smaller steps, provide extra practice time, offer alternative success criteria
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structured routines, use visual schedules for activity sequence, offer quiet zones if overwhelmed, maintain consistent rules
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls with different textures, provide verbal descriptions of positioning, use buddy system for navigation, add audible signals for game events
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations and hand signals, provide written instructions, ensure face-to-face communication, use visual score boards
physical disability
- Adapt to seated throwing and catching positions, use lighter balls or bean bags, modify running to wheeling or walking, adjust target sizes
Cross-Curricular Links
Science
Forces and motion in ball flight, trajectory and gravity effects, body mechanics in throwing actions, reaction times in catching
Geography
Compass directions for diamond layout (North, East, South, West), spatial awareness and positioning, mapping field positions
Mathematics
Counting catches and runs, measuring distances for throwing, calculating team scores, understanding angles for fielding positions
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when facing challenges, celebrating others' success, managing disappointment positively
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter of activities for optimal viewing of all students, position centrally during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for correct technique execution under pressure, note students struggling with coordination, assess teamwork quality
Intervention Points
Step in if technique deteriorates significantly, address unsafe throwing, support students experiencing frustration
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate techniques slowly first, then at full speed, use students to demonstrate good examples, emphasise safety throughout
Verbal Cues
- •'Soft hands, cushion the catch!'
- •'High elbow, side-on stance!'
- •'Eyes on the ball throughout its flight!'
- •'Work together, support your partner!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large outdoor area minimum 30m x 40m or sports hall, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from holes, debris or slippery areas
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all balls for proper inflation and no damage
- •Ensure stumps are stable and properly positioned
- •Verify bats have secure handles and no damage
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to head or body during throwing activities
- •Collisions between students during running or game play
- •Trips and falls on uneven surfaces
- •Overexertion during intensive activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established for all activities
- •Adequate spacing between pairs and groups maintained
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
- •Appropriate ball type for age group (tennis balls recommended)
- •Clear rules about entering central areas during games
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students
- •Monitor high-activity areas like diamond cricket centre
- •Watch for students following throws into danger areas
- •Ensure technique demonstration before pressure activities
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required