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Lesson 4 - Hitting Accuracy Techniques

Softball Basics

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Year 7

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Softball

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Big Question

How can changing your body position completely change where the ball goes?

Learning Objectives

To understand and develop knowledge of the correct methods of hitting the ball and turning the body
To perform the correct techniques of hitting, turning body, backing up and retrieving the ball
To understand and know the correct techniques of hitting the ball in different directions

Key Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate correct batting technique including grip, stance, backswing and follow-through
Students will understand how body position and stance affect the direction of the ball
Students will be able to hit the ball with increasing accuracy towards designated targets
Students will work cooperatively in small groups rotating through batting, pitching and fielding roles

Equipment & Resources Required

Softball Equipment

8-10 (1 per group of 4)

Check for damage, ensure appropriate length for Year 7 (28-30 inch)

Alternative: Rounders bats, plastic cricket bats for beginners

Small Balls

11 (some spare for lost balls)

Check balls are properly inflated and seams intact

Alternative: Tennis balls for nervous students, foam balls for SEND adaptations

Bases

12-16 (3-4 per game area)

Position to mark batting areas and fielding zones

Alternative: Flat markers, mats, painted spots

Hoops

30-40 mixed

Use cones for target areas, hoops for fielding zones

Alternative: Chalk lines, rope circles, painted markers

Tees

9 (1 per group initially)

Adjust to student waist height, stable base essential

Alternative: Traffic cones with foam padding on top, DIY tees

Mitts

15-20 (optional but recommended)

Various sizes available, demonstrate correct wear

Alternative: Bare hands for catching, gloves for protection

Dish Cones

16-20 (2 per target area)

Set 2 cones 2 metres apart to create hitting gates

Alternative: Hoops, skittles, chalk circles

Bibs

30 (for team identification)

Different colours for rotation tracking

Alternative: Team bands, coloured markers

Key Vocabulary

Grip

The way hands hold the bat, with dominant hand on top and hands close together

Stance

The body position before hitting, with feet shoulder-width apart and side-on to the target

Backswing

The backward movement of the bat before swinging forward to hit the ball

Follow through

The continuation of the swing after making contact with the ball

Tee

A stand that holds the ball stationary at hitting height for practice

Batter

The player attempting to hit the ball

Pitcher

The player who throws the ball underarm towards the batter

Catcher

The player positioned behind the batter to catch missed balls

Target hitting

Aiming to hit the ball through or towards specific markers or areas

Body position

The angle and orientation of the body which determines where the ball will travel

Wrist roll

The rotation of wrists during follow-through to generate power and control

Backing up

Positioning behind another fielder to collect the ball if they miss it

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic understanding of softball rules and positions from previous lessons
Experience with fielding and catching techniques
Awareness of safe equipment handling
Understanding of pitching mechanics from lesson 3

Current Skills

Correct batting grip and hand placement
Side-on stance with proper weight distribution
Coordinated backswing and follow-through
Understanding relationship between body position and ball direction
Hitting accuracy towards targets
Wrist roll technique for power generation

Next Steps

Advanced hitting techniques including bunting
Hitting moving pitches at different speeds
Base running after hitting
Full game situations with batting strategies
Understanding when to hit to different field positions

Milestone Indicators

Student can grip bat correctly without prompting

Student maintains side-on stance throughout swing

Student makes consistent contact with ball from tee

Student adjusts stance to change ball direction

Student hits through target cones 3+ times out of 5 attempts

Key Teaching Points

Correct grip is fundamental - dominant hand on top, hands touching, knuckles aligned, firm but not tense hold
Side-on stance with front shoulder pointing at target determines ball direction
Eyes must track the ball from release/tee all the way to contact point - never look away
Smooth controlled backswing going back past rear shoulder, not jerky or rushed
Wrist roll during follow through generates power and control - like turning a door handle
Body position is the steering wheel - wherever front shoulder points, ball will travel
Safety protocols non-negotiable - fielders 10m away, ready signals, no bat throwing, controlled swings only

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: 'Gripping bat tightly gives more power' - Correction: Tense grip actually reduces bat speed and control. Firm but relaxed grip like holding a bird allows wrists to move freely generating more power.
Misconception: 'Facing forward toward pitcher is correct stance' - Correction: Side-on stance is essential. Facing forward prevents proper hip rotation and limits power. Front shoulder must point at target.
Misconception: 'Hitting harder means better swing' - Correction: Technique and timing are more important than power. Controlled swing with proper follow through generates more power than wild swinging.
Misconception: 'You change ball direction by swinging differently' - Correction: The swing stays the same! Only your body position/stance angle changes to aim the ball in different directions.
Misconception: 'Follow through doesn't matter - only contact counts' - Correction: Follow through is essential for power, control and injury prevention. Stopping swing at contact loses power and can strain muscles.

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Short activity bursts with frequent rotation to maintain engagement. Clear boundaries marked visibly. Active roles emphasised - minimise waiting time. Immediate specific feedback frequently. Movement breaks built in naturally through rotations. Simplified instructions - give one step at a time. Proximity to teacher in demonstrations. Positive behaviour reinforcement frequently. Option to be group leader/demonstrator to channel energy positively.

dyspraxia

Extended practice time with technique - don't rush. Break down batting action into smaller component parts. Larger lighter bat for easier control. Foam balls reducing fear of hard ball. Lower tee position for easier contact. Reduce complexity - focus on one technical element at a time. Allow more attempts (7 hits instead of 5). Visual cue cards showing batting sequence. Verbal cues given rhythmically ('1-stance, 2-back, 3-swing'). Partner support for setup and positioning.

autism spectrum

Clear visual schedule showing lesson sequence with pictures. Reduce sensory overload - quieter environment if possible, avoid too many competing sounds. Clear routines for rotations - same sequence each time. Quiet zone available if needed for regulation. Social stories before lesson about softball expectations. Allow fidget tools when waiting turn. Predictable role assignments - student knows in advance which position they'll have. Advance warning of transitions with visual timer.

visual impairment

Use bright yellow softballs with high contrast. Audible balls (bells inside) for tracking. Verbal descriptions of demonstrations - describe every movement clearly. Buddy system with sighted peer providing guidance. Reduce distance between pitcher and batter. Use beeper cone for target hitting. Tactile demonstration - student feels teacher's grip and stance.

hearing impairment

Visual demonstrations emphasised - demonstrate every instruction, don't just explain verbally. Use written instruction cards for complex sequences. Visual signals for start/stop (flags or lights rather than whistle). Position student where they can see teacher's face for lip-reading. Buddy interpreter if student uses sign language. Simplified visual diagrams showing batting technique sequence.

physical disability

Seated batting position using tee at appropriate height. Lighter plastic bat or shorter bat for easier control. Larger target areas to hit toward. Wheelchair users can participate as batters and fielders in modified zones. Reduce pitch distance significantly (4-5m). Allow two-handed catching or use of adapted mitts. Support from TA to position and stabilize if needed. Alternative role as scorer or coach if preferred.

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Calculating points totals for teams. Measuring distances to targets (metres). Estimating angles of ball flight and stance adjustments. Counting successful hits and calculating percentages (e.g., 4 out of 5 = 80%). Understanding geometry of fielding positions - angles and triangulation.

Science

Understanding forces - force applied by bat transfers to ball. Newton's third law - action/reaction in batting. Trajectory and projectile motion of ball flight. Biomechanics of movement - levers in the swing (bones as levers, joints as fulcrews). Cardiovascular system response to exercise - heart rate increase during activity.

Geography

Directional language - left field, right field, centre field. Understanding spatial positioning and field layout. Using positional vocabulary - behind, in front of, adjacent to. Reading and creating diagrams showing fielding positions from aerial view.

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation in small groups rotating roles. Managing emotions when struggling or making mistakes - resilience. Fair play and sporting behaviour in game situations. Leadership opportunities leading warm-up and coaching peers. Communication skills giving and receiving feedback. Setting and working toward personal goals.

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Stand at perimeter of activity space where you can see all batting groups simultaneously. During skill introduction, position centrally for all students to see demonstrations. During game application, circulate between areas but maintain awareness of all groups.

Observation Focus

Primary focus: batting technique consistency (grip, stance, backswing, follow through). Secondary focus: safe equipment handling and spatial awareness. Tertiary focus: understanding of body position/direction relationship. Watch for students struggling or showing frustration - intervene early.

Intervention Points

Step in immediately if: unsafe bat handling, fielders too close, students walking through active area, technique deteriorating significantly, conflict or negative interactions, students off-task or disengaged. Provide whole-class intervention if more than 30% showing same error.

Demonstration Notes

Demonstrate all batting technique components in slow motion first, then full speed. Show from multiple angles - front, side, and rear. Demonstrate both right-handed and left-handed if possible. Use exaggerated movements to make key points visible (e.g., wrist roll). When showing body position concept, demonstrate same swing with different stances showing ball direction change dramatically. Use confident student to demonstrate if teacher demonstration difficult to see.

Verbal Cues

•'Soft hands on the grip - hold the bird gently!'
•'Side-on stance - point that front shoulder!'
•'Watch the ball all the way to the bat!'
•'Smooth backswing - like pulling back an arrow!'
•'Roll those wrists through - turn the door handle!'
•'Follow through over the opposite shoulder!'
•'Your body is the steering wheel - point where you want it to go!'
•'Fielders ready? Thumbs up? Now pitch!'
•'Call it! Who's got it? Everyone else back up!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 40m outdoor space or large sports hall. Multiple batting areas require 10m x 15m per group with 5m separation between areas. Clear run-off space 10m beyond fielding positions.

Surface Check

Dry, even grass or artificial surface free from holes, stones or debris. Indoor hall must be clean with non-slip surface. Check for wet patches after rain - relocate if unsafe.

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Inspect all bats for cracks, splits or splinters before use - remove damaged equipment
•Check softballs are properly inflated and seams intact - discard worn balls
•Ensure batting tees have stable bases that won't tip over
•Verify all cones have no sharp edges or cracks
•Check mitts for broken straps or damaged padding

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Bat strikes - batter hitting fielders, catchers or other students
•Ball strikes - fast-moving balls hitting students in face or body
•Bat throwing - students releasing bat during or after swing
•Collisions - fielders running into each other chasing balls
•Slips and falls - running on wet surfaces or tripping over equipment
•Muscle strains - inadequate warm-up or over-exertion

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established with cones - students remain in designated areas
•Minimum 10m distance between batter and fielders enforced at all times
•Catcher positioned to SIDE of batter never directly behind
•No swinging bat until fielders give 'thumbs up' ready signal
•Batters instructed to place bat down gently after hitting, never throw
•Groups hitting away from centre in circle formation prevents ball path crossing
•Adequate spacing between batting areas - minimum 5m separation
•Fielders taught to call 'I've got it!' to prevent collisions
•Backing up positions taught to reduce collision risk
•Comprehensive dynamic warm-up preparing muscles and joints
•Regular water breaks to prevent exhaustion
•Progressive skill building - tee before pitched ball
•Teacher circulates continuously monitoring all groups

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position at edge of activity area for maximum visibility of all batting stations
•Circulate between groups but maintain overview of whole class
•Monitor high-activity game situations most closely
•Watch for fatigue or frustration leading to unsafe behaviour
•Check equipment handling throughout - intervene immediately if unsafe
•Ensure TA or additional adult supervises one game area directly if available

Emergency Procedures

Immediate STOP command (whistle and raised hand) for any safety concern. All students freeze and put equipment down. Assess situation - if injury, send responsible student for first aider while others sit quietly. Administer appropriate first aid or support. Complete accident report if required. Resume activity only when safe to do so.