Aiming and Accuracy

Curriculum Area

Physical Education (PE) – Key Stage 1
National Curriculum for England – Year 1

Specific Focus:

• Physical Competence: Developing accuracy in underarm throwing.
• Cognitive Skills: Judging distance and adjusting throws.
• Social & Emotional Development: Working collaboratively and taking turns.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Improve their aiming skills using an underarm throw.
2. Practise adjusting their throw based on target distance.
3. Develop teamwork and sportsmanship by supporting peers.

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Equipment

• 12 soft sponge balls (for safety and ease of handling)
• 6 hoops or target markers (different sizes to increase difficulty)
• 6 small cones to mark throwing lines
• 6 buckets or baskets

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Lesson Structure (30 minutes)

1. Warm-up (5 minutes) – ‘Target Walk’

• Students move around the space in different ways (e.g., walking, hopping, skipping).
• When the teacher calls “TARGET!”, students freeze and point to the nearest object they could aim at using an underarm throw.
• Teacher briefly discusses what makes a good target (size, distance, position).

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2. Main Activity (20 minutes) – ‘Hit the Target’

Part 1: Partner Challenge (10 minutes)

• Students work in pairs. Each pair has a hoop and a ball.
• One student stands at a set starting line while their partner holds the hoop (stationary).
• The thrower aims to land the ball inside the hoop using an underarm throw.
• After five throws, partners swap roles.
• Increase challenge: Move the hoop further each round or make it smaller.

Part 2: Team Accuracy Relay (10 minutes)

• Split the class into 6 small teams (4 students per team).
• Each team has a bucket placed at different distances.
• Each player gets two attempts to throw a ball into the bucket.
• If the throw lands in the bucket, they earn a point for their team.
• The team with the most points at the end wins.
• Increase challenge: Smaller buckets or different throw distances.

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3. Cool Down (5 minutes) – ‘Slow Motion Throw’

• Students move in slow motion, pretending to throw in different ways (big stretch, tiny flick, gentle roll).
• Discuss what they have learned about aiming and distance.
• Quick peer discussion: “What helped you throw accurately?”

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Assessment & Differentiation

Assessment

• Observe students' ability to adjust their throw based on distance.
• Listen for peer support and encouragement.
• Check for consistent underarm throw technique.

Differentiation

• Support: Allow some children to stand closer or use larger targets.
• Challenge: Introduce smaller hoops or further distances.

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Reflection & Next Steps

• Next Lesson: Introduce moving targets or a competitive throwing game.
• Teacher Reflection: Which students showed strong accuracy? Who needed extra support? Were students engaged?

This lesson builds on previous skills by increasing challenge levels while keeping activities fun and active!