Striking and fielding games - Week 1

Stage 1 - Phase two

Equipment

Marker cones
Bases
Balls
Variety of targets
Chalk
Hoops

Download the Striking and fielding games - Week 1 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.

Model the skill:

Model the overarm throw to students while explaining the movements needed to effectively throw:

Say to the students:

- 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.

Guided practice with immediate teacher feedback:

Introduce students to the components of the overarm throw. Students stand facing a partner and perform the overarm throw with a beanbag as the skill components are given:

Stand side-on and focus your eyes on the target.
throwing arm moves in a downward and backward arc.
step towards the target area with foot opposite throwing arm.
rotate hips and then shoulders forward.
throwing arm follows through, down and across the body.

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.

FMS focus activity - Bullseye

Skill focus: Overarm throw

Equipment: Indoor or outdoor playing area, Chalk to form 3 concentric circles on the wall, throw-line 3 metres from target, one small ball or similar per player, e.g. sponge ball, softball, tennis ball, bean bags. A non-rolling ball or object is best.

How to play: Players in small groups roll or throw a ball to a target aiming to score maximum points.

Each player rolls or throws the ball to the target area.
One throw per player before balls are retrieved.
Repeat for a given number of rounds, e.g. 5 throws for each player.

Bullseye - Playing for Life Activity Card

FMS consolidation activity - Cat and mouse

Skill focus: Sprint run

Equipment: Base plates (or marker cones)

How to play: Two teams to race each other around the bases of a baseball diamond

Set up a baseball diamond with base plates spaced at correct distances apart.
Divide players up into two teams, cat and mouse.
Line the two teams up behind home plate.
The mouse is released to run around the bases. The cat is then released and chases the mouse around the bases. Release time can be varied based on ability.
Both cat and mouse must touch every base.
Continue until all players have had a turn at running around the bases.

Modified small-sided games

It's game time!

Teams play each other in the game outlined below.

Target, throw and run

Equipment: Marker cones, targets, ball, hoop (launchpad)

How to play: A ‘thrower’ throws a ball at a target and then runs to a base and back before fielders place the ball on the ‘thrower’s’ area. Play with 5 or more.

Setting up:

Marked area (‘launch pad’) for the thrower.
Fielders spread out but not on the line between the thrower and the target.
Set up a base about 3 metres away to run around (e.g. cone marker).
Target – choose an ‘achievable’ target. Experiment according to the group.
Any balls suitable for throwing or rolling.

Playing:

Ball is thrown at target and the thrower runs around the base. A bonus point is received for a hit.
The fielders collect and throw the ball to team-mates and attempt to place it on the ‘launch pad’ before the thrower returns.
If fielders beat the thrower, the thrower becomes a fielder and the fielder the new thrower – ensure all fielders have a turn.