Underarm Throwing Basics

Unit: Manos en Acción: Object Control

Lesson 3 of 10

Year Level: Prep (Foundation) Class size: 20 students Duration: 50 minutes Setting: Large indoor or outdoor area

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Curriculum Alignment

Victorian Curriculum Health and Physical Education 2.0 – Foundation

Content Descriptions:

• VCHPEM087: Experiment with different ways of moving their body safely and manipulating objects and space.
• VCHPEM088: Explore fundamental movement skills and concepts (including object control such as throwing) in various physical activities.

Achievement Standards:

• Students demonstrate greater control when manipulating objects and show awareness of spatial awareness and safety when moving. They follow movement instructions and show developing throwing techniques with different objects.

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Understand and practise the basic underarm throwing technique.
• Use body positioning and follow-through for effective throws using soft objects like beanbags and scarves.

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Success Criteria (“I can” statements)

• I can stand and face my target correctly when throwing.
• I can throw a beanbag or scarf using an underarm throw with correct arm movement.
• I can follow through after releasing the object to help it reach the target.
• I can play fairly and keep myself and others safe while throwing.

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Equipment Needed

• 20 soft beanbags
• 20 scarves (lightweight, colourful)
• Target cones or hoops (5 sets)
• Marked throwing lines with tape or cones
• Whistle for teacher cues

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Retrieval (Active Warm-up): 7 minutes

Activity: “Catch and Throw Relay”

• Students form 4 teams.
• Each team lines up behind a cone.
• Students take turns throwing a beanbag underarm to the next teammate standing 3–4 metres away and catching the beanbag.
• Emphasise safe movement and ready position before throwing/catching.
• Teacher models correct underarm throw quickly before game starts.

Purpose: Reinforce previously learned basic throwing/catching and spatial awareness skills in a fun, fast-paced game.

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2. Goals (WALT and Success Criteria): 4 minutes

• Clearly explain the WALT and “I can” success criteria using simple language.
• Introduce key Spanish vocabulary naturally:
• lanzar (to throw)
• brazo (arm)
• seguir (to follow through)
• seguro (safe)

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3. Learning – I Do, We Do, You Do (Total 12 minutes)

I Do (5 minutes)

• Teacher demonstrates the underarm throw using a beanbag.
• Focus on:
• Body facing target (turn feet forward)
• Holding beanbag below waist
• Swing arm gently forward underarm
• Follow through (arm continues forward after release)
• Keeping eyes on the target
• Use simple cues: “Turn, Swing, Follow” – model 3 times slowly, then with natural pace.

We Do (4 minutes)

• In pairs, students practise the underarm throw facing each other 2 metres apart.
• Teacher provides feedback, checks arm swing and follow through, and prompts safety (stay behind the line, no throwing too hard).
• Use questions to check understanding: "¿Dónde estás mirando cuando lanzas?" (Where are you looking when you throw?)

You Do (3 minutes)

• Students practise throwing scarves to a target cone 3 metres away independently.
• Teacher observes and offers encouragement and corrections as needed.
• Use verbal feedback highlighting successes (“Great follow-through, Sofía!”).

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4. Consolidation (Game-based Practice): 18 minutes

Game: "Beanbag Target Throw" (small-sided game)

• Set up 5 stations with cones or hoops as targets.
• Students rotate through stations throwing underarm beanbags aiming at targets.
• Scoring: 1 point for a beanbag landing inside or touching a target hoop/cone base.
• Encourage team cheering and positive comments (¡Bien hecho!).
• Teacher circulates, supports students needing help with technique or confidence.
• Differentiation:
• Support: Use larger or softer beanbags, stand closer to target (1.5–2m).
• Extension: Try throwing with the non-dominant arm or from a kneeling position for challenge.

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5. Show Me What You Know (Reflection and Demonstration): 5 minutes

• Quick partner discussion: Students tell their partner one thing they did well and one thing to improve.
• Volunteers demonstrate their best throw to the class.
• Teacher links back to “I can” statements, asking students to self-assess.
• End with a class cheer for effort and teamwork.

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Behaviour and Safety Expectations

• Stay inside designated playing areas.
• Always throw objects underarm and at safe targets only.
• Respect personal space: avoid running into others.
• Listen carefully to instructions and stop immediately on whistle.
• Encourage and support classmates with kind words.

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Notes for Teachers

• Keep the atmosphere fun, supportive, and active to maintain engagement.
• Use brief clear instructions and model frequently to maintain focus for Prep students.
• Integrate Spanish key vocabulary naturally and use gestures to support comprehension.
• Use positive reinforcement to build confidence and encourage risk-taking within safe boundaries.
• Manage equipment and transitions efficiently to maximise movement time and reduce downtime.

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This lesson demonstrates progression in the unit "Manos en Acción: Object Control" by building underarm throwing skills specifically focusing on body positioning and follow-through, appropriate for Prep students. It closely aligns with the Victorian Curriculum Health and Physical Education 2.0 content descriptions and achievement standards, ensuring students explore fundamental movement skills with emphasis on safety, inclusion, and engagement through meaningful game-based learning.

If you would like, I can prepare detailed lesson plans for the remaining lessons in this unit or provide adaptations for different classroom contexts.