Catching Skills Development

Year Level

Year 2 (Ages 7-8)

Duration

45 minutes

Class Size

20 students

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Unit

Ball Skills and Aquatic Fun
Lesson 4 of 10

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Lesson Description

This lesson focuses on engaging students in targeted activities to enhance their catching skills. Students will practice catching with different sized balls to improve confidence, hand-eye coordination, and accuracy. The activities cater to varied abilities and encourage cooperative learning in pairs and small groups.

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Curriculum Alignment

South Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education (Years 1-2)

• Content Descriptor: AC9HP2M01 - Practise fundamental movement skills and apply them in a variety of movement situations
• Focus: Developing object control skills, specifically catching, with increasing accuracy and confidence
• Additional Descriptor: AC9HP2M05 - Apply strategies to work collaboratively when participating in physical activities
• Personal and Social Capability: Working cooperatively in pairs and groups during activities

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the session, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate catching techniques with balls of different sizes and textures.
• Show improved hand-eye coordination and timing while catching.
• Collaborate effectively with peers during catching activities.
• Reflect on their own catching performance and identify ways to improve.

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Resources

• Variety of balls: large foam balls, tennis balls, small rubber balls
• Cones to mark activity zones
• Whistle or clapper for timing activities
• Soft mats for safety during movement games

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up (8 minutes)

• Activity: "Follow the Leader Movement Game"
  Students follow teacher's movement cues (jogging, side-stepping, jumping). Introduce arm movements simulating catching motions.
• Purpose: Warm up muscles and develop coordination needed for catching.
• Curriculum link: Emphasise body movement and spatial awareness in different directions .

2. Introduction to Catching Skills (5 minutes)

• Teacher demonstrates correct catching technique:
  • Eyes on the ball
  • Hands forming a ‘basket’ shape for chest-level catches
  • Soft hands for catching smaller balls releasing gently
• Use different balls to show handling techniques.
• Discuss safety: appropriate distance, catching with care, and watching the ball at all times.

3. Partner Catching Practice (12 minutes)

• Students pair up using different sized balls.
• Activity 1: Chest catch and return from close distance.
• Activity 2: Step back and throw-catch sequence increasing distance slowly.
• Teachers circulate, providing positive feedback and verbal cues to improve catching form.
• Safety: Use soft foam balls for students less confident or with developing skills.
• Curriculum focus: Working cooperatively and supportively in pairs .

4. Small Group Catching Challenge (10 minutes)

• Group of 4 students stand in a square approx 2 - 3 meters apart.
• Pass the ball around clockwise and then counter-clockwise.
• Incorporate different balls to increase challenge.
• Add a ‘time challenge’ to pass and catch a number of times without dropping.
• Encourage students to support and cheer friends to build confidence and enjoyment.

5. Reflection and Cool Down (5 minutes)

• Gather students sitting in a circle.
• Ask prompting questions:
  • What helped you catch better today?
  • Was a big ball easier or harder than a small ball?
  • How did working with your partner or group help?
• Gentle stretching with arm movements and deep breathing.
• Reinforce importance of practice and patience in skill development.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment through observation of catching technique, ability to catch consistently, and cooperative skills during activities.
• Provide individual and group verbal feedback focusing on:
  • Hand positioning
  • Eye focus tracking the ball
  • Teamwork and encouragement
• Encourage self-assessment by asking students to rate their confidence in catching on a simple scale (e.g., show 1-5 fingers).

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Differentiation

• For students needing additional support: Use larger, softer balls and reduce distances.
• For advanced students: Challenge with smaller balls or introduce movement before catching (e.g., catching on the run).
• Use visual cues and demonstration for varied learning styles.

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Safety Considerations

• Use soft balls to minimise injury risk.
• Ensure enough space between groups.
• Clear rules on not throwing balls too hard.
• Supervise activities closely to maintain safe play and manage pacing.

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This lesson plan provides a comprehensive, scaffolded approach to developing catching skills aligned with South Australian Curriculum standards for Year 2 Physical Education. The integration of different ball sizes and cooperative activities enriches skill development and builds student confidence, combining physical, social, and cognitive learning outcomes seamlessly.