Net and court games - Week 3
Stage 1 - Phase one
Equipment
20 marker cones
tennis balls or soft round ball (1 per pair of students)
4 volleyballs or similar
Download the Net and court games - Week 3 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.
Eyes are focused on target area throughout the throw.
Stand side-on to target area.
Throwing arm moves in a downward and backward arc.
Steps towards target area with foot opposite throwing arm.
Hips then shoulders rotate forward.
Throwing arm follows through, down and across the body.
Explicit teaching of the overarm throw
About the skill
The overarm throw is a manipulative skill frequently used in many sports, such as cricket, softball and baseball. The action is also used in athletics with the javelin, with the overhead serve and smash in tennis, volleyball and badminton and passes in netball and basketball.
View 'The Get Skilled Get Active - Overarm video' to support the explicit teaching of the overarm throw.
Key components of the overarm throw:
Eyes focused on target area throughout the throw.
Stands side-on to target area.
Throwing arm moves in a downward and backward arc.
Steps towards target area with foot opposite throwing arm.
Hips then shoulders rotate forward.
Throwing arm follows through, down and across the body.
Modelled and guided practice
Revise the components of the overarm throw. Partners face each other standing about five metres apart. Students stand side on, with their nonthrowing arm pointing towards their partner. Students use a variety of soft objects to perform the overarm throw. The focus of this activity is the components of the overarm throw, rather than the catch. As students perform the overarm throw remind them of the skill components:
Look at your target.
Point to the target (with your nonthrowing 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.
Independent practice with immediate teacher feedback:
Mark out a square area in a grid formation so that multiple games can be played. Students form teams of three, with two teams standing in a square to play against each other. Each game needs one ball. The object of the game is to throw the ball between team members and keep it from the opposition. Students pass the ball to their team, only holding it for moments before it gets passed. The opposing team attempts to intercept the ball to gain possession. When a whistle is blown every few minutes the student holding the ball is awarded one point for their team and gives it to the other team.
Skill development games
Choosing teams
In a sport education approach, affiliation is promoted by students being a member of the same team over a period of time. It is intended that students remain in these teams for the duration of each sport program for the skill development and the modified small-sided games, so that they can develop and learn together.
Place students in equal teams, 4 teams is optimal, at the beginning of the skill development session. Strategies for forming groups can be found in the Game-based learning in sport and physical activity e-learning course.
To further promote affiliation students can decide on a team name.
Once the teams are determined you can add the team and student names to the Net and court games draw.
FMS focus activity - Rebound ball
FMS: Overarm throw and catch
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 focus activity - Throw, throw, throw
FMS:Overarm throw
Equipment: Markers to separate groups, bean bags, tennis balls, or soft foam balls (1 per student)
How to play: 2 groups of equal size face each other. Each player has a throwing object (tennis ball, soft foam ball, bean bag). On a signal, players throw their ball or bean bag over a line in the direction of the opposite team. After a set period, balls are counted to see who has the fewest balls.
Divide the group into 2 teams.
Play for a set period (e.g. 30 seconds). That can be a lot of throwing!
Encourage different strategies (e.g. gatherers and throwers work together).
Players should ‘throw fast and throw smart’!
Modified small-sided games
It's game time!
Teams play each other in the game outlined below.
Keep up the ball
Equipment: 16 marker cones to mark out a flat, square (15m x 15m) playing area for each team, 4 large balls, pencil and paper per team
How to play: A team of players try to keep a ball off the ground by passing it to each other.
Each team begins in their own playing area.
Teams count how many consecutive passes without the ball touching the ground they can do.
Team leader records number of consecutive passes.
The team with the most passes after 10 minutes wins.
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.
