Throw, Catch, Play

Year Level

Year 2

Duration

45 minutes

Class Size

25 students

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Curriculum Alignment

Australian Curriculum v9 – Health and Physical Education

• Content description:
  AC9HP2M02 – Investigate different ways of moving their body, manipulating objects and space, and draw conclusions about their effectiveness.
  AC9HP2M03 – Participate in a range of physical activities in natural and outdoor settings, and investigate factors and settings that make physical activity enjoyable.

• Achievement Standard:
  By the end of Year 2, students perform fundamental movement skills such as throwing and catching with objects of different sizes and weights and participate in minor games that involve cooperation and safe participation.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate effective throwing and catching techniques using netballs.
2. Participate cooperatively in inclusive minor games involving ball handling skills.
3. Understand spatial awareness and teamwork while playing group ball games.
4. Reflect on how different throwing and catching techniques affect game play.

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Equipment Needed

• 25 netballs (size appropriate for Year 2 children)
• Cones to mark out game areas
• Whistle
• Name tags or coloured bands to separate groups

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Lesson Outline

1. Warm-Up and Introduction (8 minutes)

• Gather students in a circle.
• Begin with an energising warm-up focusing on movements that prepare arms and hands for ball skills (e.g. arm circles, wrist rotations, gentle throws to self).
• Briefly discuss the importance of throwing and catching in games like netball and other group activities.
• Objectives shared clearly in kid-friendly language: "Today we will practise throwing and catching and have fun playing games like Tunnel Ball and Golden Child!"

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2. Skill Introduction: Throwing and Catching (10 minutes)

• Demonstrate correct technique for throwing a netball:

  • Grip the ball with fingers spread.
  • Step forward with the opposite foot.
  • Push the ball towards your partner softly and accurately.

• Demonstrate catching:

  • Eyes on the ball.
  • Hands ready in a ‘W’ shape, fingers spread.
  • Pull ball into chest to secure catch.

• Pair up students (preferably mixed ability to encourage support).

• Students practise under teacher supervision, giving positive feedback and gentle correction.

• Emphasise safety and spatial awareness when throwing.

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3. Activity 1: Tunnel Ball (12 minutes)

• Setup:
  Students form lines (tunnels) facing forwards with legs apart.
• How to Play:
  Each team has one netball. The ball is passed through each player’s legs down the line and back. Students must work together to move the ball effectively without dropping it.
• Skills Focus:
  Soft throws, accurate passing, eye contact, and teamwork.
• Teacher observes, encourages, and prompts reflection on effective passing.

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4. Activity 2: Golden Child (12 minutes)

• Setup:
  Create a playing area with cones. Designate one "golden child" in each team.
• How to Play:
  Teams try to throw the ball to their "golden child" who is positioned away from the main group. Only the golden child can catch the ball to score points. Students have to work on throwing, catching, moving, and strategic teamwork.
• Skills Focus:
  Throwing for distance and accuracy, catching on the move, team roles, and communication.
• Practice safe play and fair participation.

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5. Cool Down and Reflection (3 minutes)

• Gentle stretching focusing on arms and shoulders.

• Sit in a circle and discuss:

  • What helped you throw and catch better today?
  • How did your team work together in the games?
  • What was fun or challenging?

• Encourage positive feedback from peers and self-assessment.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment during activities:
  Teacher observes student’s throwing and catching skills and teamwork participation, providing supportive feedback.
• Peer and self-reflection:
  Encourage children to share what they learnt and what they found difficult.
• Teacher anecdotal notes:
  Record observations on individual skill development to inform next lessons.

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Differentiation

• For students needing support:
  Use larger, softer balls or reduce throwing distance.
• For advanced students:
  Increase throwing distance or introduce moving while catching.

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Safety Considerations

• Ensure playing area is clear of obstacles.
• Teach safe ball handling and respecting personal space.
• Use age-appropriate balls to avoid injury.
• Supervise games closely to manage fairness and safety.

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Teacher Tips for WOW Impact

• Capture short video clips of student playing to show movements and progress, then replay to reinforce learning visually.
• Encourage students to invent their own ball game rules in small groups at lesson end, fostering creativity and problem solving related to movement and teamwork.
• Include First Nations Australian traditional games or references where possible to add cultural richness and context.

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This lesson plan aligns specifically with the Australian Curriculum content descriptions AC9HP2M02 and AC9HP2M03 for Year 2 Health and Physical Education, addressing throwing, catching, object manipulation, and participation in minor games .