Equipment
20 marker cones
Bean bags, tennis balls, soft rubber or foam balls (1 per student)
Volleyballs or soft foam balls (1 per pair of students)
Download the Week 2 Net and Court Games - Overarm throw activity card to support teaching before and during the sport session.
FMS focus: Overarm throw
Learning intention
Students are developing proficiency in the overarm throw.
Success criteria
Student:
Eyes are focused on target area throughout the throw.
Stand side-on to target area.
Steps towards target area with foot opposite throwing arm.
Throwing arm follows through, down and across the body.
When proficient in the above, student:
Throwing arm moves in a downward and backward arc.
Hips then shoulders rotate forward.
Explicit teaching of the overarm throw
Model the skill
Introduce students to the components of the overarm throw by modelling and explaining the movements needed. Say to students:
Look at your target.
Point to the target (with your non-throwing arm).
Stand side-on.
Step forward and throw.
Follow through, down and across your body with your throwing arm.
Swing your arm down and back as you prepare to throw.
Step, throw and follow-through down and across your body.
Guided practice
Use existing playground markings or make lines on the ground with chalk or masking tape as markers. Use a verbal cue, such as: “Step forward and throw”.
Ask students to step off these markers towards their target. Use demonstration and verbal cues such as “follow through, down and across your body” to focus students’ attention on the follow-through motion of the throwing arm.
Skill development games
FMS focus activity - Rebound ball
FMS: Overarm throw
Equipment: Any type of ball depending on the experience and ability level of the players (One per 3 players) and open space near a wall (players at least 2 metres away).
How to play: A player throws a ball at a wall and stands back for a second player to catch the ball – the activity continues this way. Play with 2 or 3.
The first player throws the ball at the wall and moves quickly to the end of the team, allowing the second player to move up and catch the ball. Continue down the line.
Allow a period for players to experiment with the best method of throwing.
Stop the practice and share ideas with the whole group, recommence play.
CHANGE IT
Practise individually – allow individual practice to build skill and confidence.
A player with less advanced coordination and motor skills can be included by another player standing close and sending a short throw or simply passing the ball.
Players may use a softball glove or Velcro® mitt and suitable ball as an inclusive strategy.
FMS consolidation activity - Shuttle ball
FMS: Catch, sprint run
Equipment: One ball per team of players, markers or tape to identify 2 lines about 3 metres apart.
How to play: A cooperative game. A ball is thrown to a catcher. The thrower runs to take the place of the catcher and the catcher in turn runs to join players at the thrower’s line. Teams of 3 or more.
Player 1 throws the ball to Player 2 and then runs to Line B.
Player 2 throws the ball to Player 3 and then runs to Line A.
Repeat this pattern until the ‘stop’ signal is given.
Modified small-sided games
It's game time!
Teams play each other in the game outlined below.
Wulijini
Wulijini provides cooperative play or competition options. The competition option relies on teamwork to cover a court in defence or to ‘find space’ and ground the ball in attack.
Equipment: A volleyball or a covered sponge ball, markers to set out playing areas.
How to play: Two teams on either side of a court catch and throw the ball back as many times as possible. The aim is to set a record for the whole group. Wulijini can also be played with the aim being to get the ball to hit the ground in the opposition’s half.
Reflection
2 stars and a wish
Ask students - what are 2 things you feel you did well today?
What are you going to try and improve on next week?
Students can answer reflection questions as a whole class, small group or in pairs.