Lesson 1 - Backhand Throw & Catch
Skills To Strategy
•Year 6
•Ultimate Frisbee
•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 I use anticipation and spatial awareness to become an effective Ultimate Frisbee player?
Learning Objectives
- To develop accurate backhand frisbee throwing technique using wrist spin and correct body positioning
- To master consistent two-handed catching using the 'crocodile mouth' technique
- To demonstrate anticipation, spatial awareness, and tactical understanding in game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will send a frisbee accurately using backhand technique with consistent wrist spin
- Students will catch frisbees consistently using two hands in a ready position
- Students will show anticipation, find space effectively, and demonstrate awareness of others during gameplay
Equipment & Resources Required
Check frisbees are not damaged and fly straight before lesson
Alternative: Flying discs, paper plates for indoor practice
Use for court boundaries, target areas, and activity zones
Alternative: Markers, bean bags, spots
Ensure contrast for clear team identification
Alternative: Different coloured t-shirts, armbands
Key Vocabulary
A throwing technique where the frisbee is released across the body using wrist spin
Catching technique using both hands - one above, one below the frisbee like a crocodile's mouth closing
The spinning motion created by snapping the wrist on release to make the frisbee fly smoothly
Balanced stance with weight on balls of feet, hands relaxed, eyes tracking the frisbee
Predicting where the frisbee will go and moving to that position before it arrives
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic throwing and catching skills from previous year groups
- Understanding of simple invasion games principles
- Experience with target games and accuracy challenges
Current Skills
- Backhand throwing technique with wrist spin
- Two-handed catching with crocodile mouth grip
- Anticipation and spatial awareness in game contexts
- Pass and move strategies
Next Steps
- Forehand throwing technique development
- Advanced catching techniques (one-handed catches)
- Complex game strategies and team tactics
- Tournament-style Ultimate Frisbee games
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Sideways stance with dominant foot forward creates optimal throwing position and power transfer
- Wrist snap on release generates essential spin for stable, accurate frisbee flight
- Ready position with weight on balls of feet enables quick reactions and movement
- Crocodile mouth catching technique provides secure two-handed catches
- Anticipation skills develop through reading body language and predicting frisbee flight paths
- Pass and move strategies create space and maintain game flow
- Spatial awareness prevents collisions and improves tactical positioning
Common Misconceptions
- Students think power is more important than technique - emphasise accuracy and spin over strength
- Many believe they should catch with one hand - reinforce two-handed crocodile mouth method
- Some think they can run immediately after catching - clarify no-stepping rule in games
- Students often face forward when throwing - consistently reinforce sideways stance requirement
- Many rush techniques - emphasise smooth, controlled movements over speed
- Some students think Ultimate Frisbee is just throwing and catching - highlight tactical and strategic elements
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with regular changes, clear boundaries and expectations, regular positive feedback, movement breaks as needed
dyspraxia
- Larger, lighter frisbees initially, reduced throwing distances, extra practice time for motor skills, step-by-step movement breakdown
autism spectrum
- Clear routine establishment, visual schedules for lesson sections, quiet zones available if overwhelmed, consistent language and instructions
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured frisbees, provide verbal cues for all movements, buddy system for guidance, tactile markers for court boundaries
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written rule cards, ensure students can see teacher's face when speaking
physical disability
- Seated throwing and catching variations, modified court sizes, adapted grips for frisbees, alternative scoring methods
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting consecutive catches, measuring court dimensions, calculating scores and statistics, angles of throwing trajectory
Science
Forces and motion in frisbee flight, aerodynamics and spin effects, body biomechanics in throwing and catching
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding of directions and movement patterns, mapping court layouts
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when facing challenges, managing emotions during competition, celebrating others' success
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter for visibility of all groups, position centrally during demonstrations, closer monitoring during high-intensity phases
Observation Focus
Watch for correct technique development, safe movement patterns, positive interaction between students, engagement levels
Intervention Points
Step in if technique is unsafe or ineffective, address any behavioural issues immediately, provide additional support for struggling students
Demonstration Notes
Use students as positive examples wherever possible, exaggerate key points for visibility, ensure all students can see demonstrations clearly, repeat key demonstrations multiple times
Verbal Cues
- •'Snap that wrist for spin!'
- •'Ready position - weight on toes!'
- •'Find the space before the frisbee gets there!'
- •'Crocodile mouth - trap it!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large indoor hall or outdoor area minimum 30m x 20m, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Dry, non-slip surface free from debris, adequate grip for quick movements and direction changes
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all frisbees for cracks or sharp edges before use
- •Ensure cones are stable and visible
- •No damaged equipment that could cause injury
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during movement phases
- •Frisbee strikes to head or face
- •Slips and falls during quick direction changes
- •Overexertion during high-intensity activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and adequate spacing between groups established
- •Speed walking only during tag game - no running
- •Teach safe catching techniques to avoid facial strikes
- •Regular water breaks and monitoring for overexertion
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic activities
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students across area
- •Monitor high-activity phases like tag game and sprint activities
- •Check technique regularly to prevent poor habits causing injury
- •Ensure equal participation and no exclusion
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury severity, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required, inform school leadership and parents as necessary