Striking and Fielding Skills

Context

This lesson is designed for Year 3 and 4 students (ages 7 to 9 years) in New Zealand to develop foundational skills in striking and fielding games, specifically focusing on T-ball as an exemplar. The lesson follows the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh for Physical Education, Phase One, emphasising active participation, skill development, and understanding basic game rules and strategies.

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Learning Objectives (WALT)

• We Are Learning To:
• Develop and demonstrate underarm and overarm throwing techniques with correct body mechanics and stance.
• Practise correct grip, stance, and swing technique for striking a ball off a tee.
• Understand and adopt the ready position when catching a small ball.
• Apply basic rules and conventions of striking and fielding games, including safe base running.
• Participate collaboratively in a modified striking and fielding game applying learnt skills.

Curriculum Reference

• Movement Concepts and Motor Skills: Develop competence in a range of movement skills and techniques, including throwing, striking, catching, and running.
• Relationships with Others: Engage positively and contribute to group activities, understanding rules and conventions.
• Achievement Objectives: Participate actively in physical activities, showing control and coordination with developing techniques for striking and fielding games.
• Competencies: Thinking (to apply strategies), Using language, symbols, and texts (to understand game rules), Relating to others (teamwork and respect).

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Success Criteria

• Students consistently show a low, stable stance with knees slightly bent and weight forward during underarm throws.
• Students perform an overarm throw with coordinated hip and shoulder rotation.
• Students grip the bat correctly and demonstrate a smooth, controlled swing at the tee.
• Students maintain a ready position (feet shoulder-width apart, hands open) when preparing to catch.
• Students understand the concept of “not out” when safely waiting at a base.
• Students participate cooperatively in a mini-striking and fielding game, applying skills learned.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For students needing support: Use larger, softer balls and allow partner throws at close distances. Provide one-on-one guidance on stances and grips.
• For advanced learners: Challenge with varied throwing distances and speeds. Encourage tactical thinking about base running and fielding positions.
• Dyslexia-friendly adaptations: Use clear, large-font instructions on worksheets with supportive visuals and minimal text. Provide verbal instructions and demonstrations.

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Lesson Duration

50 minutes Class size: 14 students

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Resources

• Large softballs suitable for catching and throwing
• T-ball stands with foam bats
• Cones to mark bases
• Whistle or timer
• Printed worksheet with illustrations and key terminology for grip, stance, and ready positions (worksheet-1)
• Slide deck covering lesson flow, key skill demonstrations, and game rules (slides-1)

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction and Warm-up (7 minutes)

• Open with the introduction slides showing images of T-ball in action and a provocative question: “How can we strike and catch like a pro?”
• Brief warm-up incorporating dynamic movements (e.g., jogging, arm circles) linked to upcoming skills.
• Teacher outlines the WALT and success criteria.
• Demonstrate underarm and overarm throw positions briefly.

2. Skill Focus: Throwing Practice (15 minutes)

• Explain and demonstrate:
• Underarm throwing: low, stable stance, knees slightly bent, weight forward.
• Overarm throwing: hip and shoulder rotation prior to release.
• Students pair up for partner throwing drills:
• Start with close distances for underarm throws, focus on stance.
• Progress to overarm throws with hips/shoulders emphasis.
• Teacher circulates to provide feedback, using key points from the throwing technique slides.
• Distribute the grip, stance and throwing technique worksheet for students to label and discuss in pairs.

3. Skill Focus: Striking from the Tee (8 minutes)

• Using the tee and foam bats, teach:
• Correct grip and stance.
• Controlled swing technique.
• Students take turns to strike the ball off the tee using these skills.
• Encourage observation and peer feedback, guided by questions on striking technique slides.

4. Skill Focus: Ready Position for Catching (5 minutes)

• Demonstrate the ready position: feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands open and ready.
• Practice catching soft tosses from a short distance.
• Emphasise safe techniques (e.g., watching the ball, soft hands).

5. Game Application: Mini T-ball Match (10 minutes)

• Set up mini bases with cones.
• Divide class into two teams (7 each).
• Rotate roles: batting, fielding, and base running.
• Teacher reinforces:
• Running safely around bases.
• Defending team tries to get batters/runners out by tag or catch.
• Batter safely waiting on base is not out.
• Encourage students to apply skills learned.

6. Plenary and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Regroup and discuss:
• What did we do well today?
• What throwing and striking techniques helped us?
• How did knowing the rules help us play safely?
• Collect the worksheet.
• Summarise key learning points using plenary slides.

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Extension Activities

• For advanced students: Introduce game tactics such as strategic base running or fielding positions.
• Create a “challenge lane” where students attempt hits at various distances.
• Incorporate peer coaching roles to develop leadership and reflective skills.

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Additional Notes

• Maintain inclusive language and keep instructions clear and repeated as necessary.
• Use positive reinforcement to encourage participation and effort.
• Incorporate cross-curricular language skills by introducing key vocabulary during the lesson.

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