Striking and Fielding

Striking and fielding games such as kickball and wiffle/tee ball offer dynamic opportunities for students to build motor skills, develop teamwork, learn basic rules, and engage in cooperative play. This unit is designed to promotor physical, cognitive, and social development through activities that emphasize cooperation, peer support, and positive participation. The goal is for students to have meaningful participation in the activities to contribute to team success. This unit is based on the learn, practice, play model to support student development.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate basic striking and fielding techniques used in kickball and wiffle/tee ball. (kicking, batting, catching, throwing).

• Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of striking and fielding rules during game play

• Students will demonstrate sportsmanship and teamwork during game play.

Unit Plan

This unit is 5 days - building on introductory skills and progressing over the days. 

Day 1

• Baserunning tag

• Kicking demonstration

• Kicking practice

• Race to the Bases 

Day 2

• Kickball demonstration and rules

• Kickball game

Day 3

• Throwing and catching demonstration

• Throwing and catching practice

• Hitting demonstration

• Hitting practice

• Race to the bases

Day 4

• Wiffle/tee ball demonstration

• Wiffle/tee ball game

Day 5

• Review rules

• Kickball or Tee ball game choice

General Modifications for Kickball

Equipment:

• Lighter/larger ball

• Have bases number/colored for easy identification

Skill and Rule Adaptions

•  Allow stationary kick/kick until fair

  • • Throw for those who cannot kick

• Allow for partner runner

• Everyone kicks before switching

• Get back to pitcher before runner reaches base = Out

General Modifications for Wiffle/Tee Ball

Equipment:

• Use lightweight bats

• Use larger/lighter balls

• Use tee

• Have bases number/colored for easy identification

Skill and Rule Adaptions

•  Use a tee and allow until hit fair

  • • Could throw after 3 strikes

• Allow a partner runner

• Everyone bats before switching

• Get back to pitcher before runner reaches base = Out

Assessment:

• Skills checklist - kicking/striking, catching/fielding

• Rules and teamwork observation

• Sportsmanship reflection

Instructional Keys

• Break skills into smaller steps

• Use visual aids

• Use repetition and practice time

• Pair students for peer support or peer tutoring

• Emphasize teamwork and cooperation over winning and losing