Target Games - Week 1

Stage 1 - Phase two

Equipment

Marker cones
Hoops and buckets
Tennis balls
Hitting tees
Bats

Download the Target Games - Week 1 activity card to support teaching before and during the sport session.

FMS focus: Two-hand strike

Learning intention

Students are developing proficiency in the two-hand strike.

Success criteria.

Stands side-on to target area.
Eyes focused on the ball throughout the strike.
Hands next to each other, bottom hand matches the front foot.
Steps towards target area with front foot.
Hips then shoulders rotate forward.
Ball contact made on front foot with straight arms.
Follows through with bat around the body.

Explicit teaching of the two-hand strike

About the skill

The two-hand strike is a manipulative skill in which force is applied to an object using an implement, in this case a bat. It forms the foundation to more advanced games and sports-specific skills, such as: the strike in Tball, baseball and softball; the drive in cricket and hockey; the golf swing; and ground strokes in racquet sports, handball and volleyball. Because of the variability of ball tosses, performing the two-hand strike from a T-ball stand is the focus in this resource. Although these striking actions may differ slightly in performance, the same mechanical principles apply to both.

View 'The Get Skilled Get Active - two-hand strike video' to support the explicit teaching of the two-hand strike.

Model the skill:

Model the two-hand strike to students while explaining the movements needed to effectively strike:

- Stand side-on.
- Keep your eyes on the ball.
- Position your hands so they match your feet.
- Use a big swing.
- Step forward and swing.
- Contact the ball with straight arms.
- Swing and follow through.

Guided practice with immediate teacher feedback:

Students form groups of four and stand next to a t-ball stand. One student is the batter and the other students are the fielders. The fielders move about ten metres away from the t-ball stand and field the ball when it is hit. The batter performs the following instructions:

stand to the side of the t-ball stand
rest the centre of the ball above the top of the t-ball stand
take a small step back so that the front foot can step towards the target area during the swing and strike
step towards the target and hit.

The fielder chases the ball and returns it to the batter. Students should have five turns at the two-hand strike and then swap positions.

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 - Long ball

Skill focus: Two-hand strike

Equipment: Marker cones, tee, bat, balls

How to play: To hit a ball, off a hitting tee, as far as possible to a designated area.

Mark out a batting line with a batting tee.
Mark out designated areas for the ball to be hit to: marked lines, cones, fence, etc.
Commence hitting.

L-o-n-g throw - Playing for Life Activity Card

FMS consolidation activity - L-o-n-g throw

Skill focus: Overarm throw

Equipment: Balls, marker cones

How to play: A cooperative game in which a ball is thrown between two players. If the ball reaches the catcher on the full, both the catcher and the thrower step back. If it is dropped, both take a step forward. The winning pair is the one that has retreated the furthest.

Distribute one ball per pair.
Use 2 markers to establish a ‘gate’ that the ball has to pass through.
Players are equidistant from a marker.
The winner is the pair who are the greatest distance from the gate markers when the stop signal is given

Modified small-sided games

It's game time!

Teams play each other in the game outlined below.

Bucket and hoop

Equipment: Hitting tee, tennis balls, buckets, hoops, marker cones.

How to play: A ball is hit, off a hitting tee, into a hoop or a bucket to score points. There are 2 roles – a hitter and a collector. (Play in pairs.)

Hitters: