Ball Skills Basics

Overview

Duration: 30 minutes
Class size: 25 Reception students (ages 4-5)
Unit: Ball Skills in Motion (Lesson 1 of 4)
Focus: Introduction to fundamental throwing and catching techniques
Curriculum Links:

• Physical Development - Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework (2021):
  • Moving and Handling: Children show control and coordination in large and small movements.
  • Health and Self-Care: Understand the importance of physical activity and making healthy choices.
• National Curriculum for Physical Education (Key Stage 1) - Programme of Study:
  • Develop fundamental movement skills, including throwing and catching.
  • Engage in competitive and cooperative physical activities.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, children will be able to:

• Demonstrate basic overarm throwing and underarm rolling of a large ball.
• Show simple catching techniques using two hands.
• Understand and describe how force and direction affect the ball's movement.
• Participate confidently in partner throwing/catching activities.

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Resources and Equipment

• 25 soft, lightweight foam balls (approximately 15 cm diameter)
• Cones or floor markers for spacing
• Colourful scarves or beanbags (for warm-up)
• Visual aids: Simple laminated cards showing throwing and catching positions
• Whistle for attention signals

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Lesson Structure

1. Welcome and Warm-Up (5 minutes)

• Gather children in a circle and greet them warmly.
• Introduce the lesson theme: “Today we are going to learn how to throw and catch balls!”
• Warm-up activity:
  • “Magic scarves”: Each child receives a lightweight scarf; the teacher calls out movements (e.g., “Wave high,” “Wave low,” “Drop gently”) to encourage arm movement and coordination.
  • Include gentle jogging on the spot for 1 minute to increase awareness of body movement and heart rate.

2. Introduction: Exploring Throwing and Catching (5 minutes)

• Gather children sitting on the floor to watch a short, vivid demonstration using a ball.
• Teacher shows:
  • How to hold a ball with two hands. Demonstrate an underarm throw rolling the ball on the floor to a target.
  • Show a simple overarm throw with big arm movement, emphasising stepping forward with the opposite foot for balance.
  • Demonstrate catching with two hands softly outstretched in front.
• Discuss briefly in simple language:
  • “What happens when I throw the ball harder or softer?”
  • “Where do you catch the ball? In your hands, yes!”

3. Guided Practice: Controlled Throwing and Catching (12 minutes)

Activity 1: Rolling Ball Partners (6 minutes)

• Organise pairs spaced 2 metres apart using floor markers.
• Each pair receives a foam ball.
• Children take turns rolling the ball underarm to their partner, focusing on gentle control and watching the ball’s path.
• Teacher circulates giving positive feedback: “Well done keeping your eyes on the ball!”
• Encourage children to notice how the ball moves when they roll it softly or hard.

Activity 2: Underarm Throw and Catch (6 minutes)

• Same pairs.
• Children now practise underarm throwing the ball in the air to their partner using two hands to catch.
• Start very close, gradually increasing distance as confidence grows.
• Emphasise stepping forward with the opposite foot during the throw for balance and power.
• Remind to keep eyes on the ball and catch with two hands.
• Teacher prompts reflection: “How does the ball feel when you throw it gently or strongly? What helps you catch better?”

4. Cool Down and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Children gather back in a circle, holding their balls.
• Lead a slow breathing and gentle stretching routine, touching arms up high and reaching down low.
• Invite children to share one thing they enjoyed or found tricky about throwing and catching.
• Reinforce positive attitudes toward practice and teamwork: “You all did brilliantly trying your best!”
• Briefly preview next lesson: “Next time, we will learn fun games to use our throwing and catching skills.”

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• For children needing additional support: Use larger, softer balls for easier catching; pair with a teaching assistant or a confident peer.
• For more able children: Encourage exploring different throwing styles (e.g., flick throw) or catching softly with one hand.
• Ensure all players have space and opportunities to participate safely by using visual markers for distancing.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Ongoing formative assessment through observation of movement coordination, hand-eye coordination, and confidence.
• Use simple praise phrases aligned with effort and improvement (e.g., “Great watching the ball!”).
• Note children who may need further support or extension for future lessons.

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Cross-Curricular Links and Development

• Language Development: New vocabulary - throw, catch, force, gentle, hard, step, ball.
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Working cooperatively in pairs, sharing equipment, taking turns.
• Mathematics: Recognising distances (near, far), counting throwing turns.

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Teacher Tips and Ideas to Impress

• Use exaggerated, playful demonstrations (e.g., ‘superhero throw’ or ‘catch like a crab’) to engage young learners’ imagination.
• Create a visual ‘ball skill steps’ poster to display progress and support understanding.
• Record short videos of children’s attempts (with consent) for self and peer reflection in upcoming lessons.
• Incorporate music during warm-up and cool-down to stimulate rhythm in movements.
• End the lesson by awarding ‘skill stars’ on a chart to celebrate effort and progress, encouraging motivation for the unit ahead.

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This approach not only builds fundamental physical skills but inspires curiosity and teamwork aligned with EYFS and National Curriculum aspirations, making your PE lesson both engaging and educationally robust.