Catch with Control

Overview

Unit: Ball Skills Bonanza (Lesson 9 of 10)
Lesson Title: Catching Skills
Total Time: 40 minutes
Class Size: 6 students
Key Stage: Key Stage 2
Year Group: Year 3 (Ages 7–8)
National Curriculum Focus:
PE – Physical Education
Pupils should be taught to:

“use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and in combination” — (KS2 National Curriculum for PE, DfE)
“develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance”

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Learning Objectives

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

• Use the correct hand positioning when attempting to catch a small ball
• Track and move towards a moving ball
• Successfully catch a ball thrown from varying distances

Most students will be able to:

• Adjust positioning to improve their chance of catching
• Catch consistently from a distance of 3–5 metres

Some students will be challenged to:

• Catch with one hand while in motion
• Provide peer feedback using key vocabulary

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Equipment Needed

• 6 soft foam balls or tennis-sized catching balls
• 10 flat cones (various colours)
• 1 whistle or bell
• Stopwatch or timer (tablet or watch)
• 6 catching bibs (optional for team tasks)
• Whiteboard and pen for starter discussion
• Catching skill cards (with images showing hand positioning and footwork)

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Vocabulary Focus

• "Ready Position"
• "Eyes on the ball"
• "Move to catch"
• "Soft hands"
• "Body behind the ball"

Display these on the board and refer to them throughout the session.

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Warm-Up (8 mins) — Ball Bounce Blitz

Purpose: To get students moving and tracking balls visually.

Activity:

• Each student gets a soft foam ball.
• On signal, they start bouncing the ball gently on the ground and catching it.
• Introduce movement: students bounce and catch while slowly walking around the space.
• Challenge levels:
  • 1 point for a stationary bounce+catch
  • 2 points for moving
  • 3 points for opposite hand catches

Team Dynamic: Students cheer each other on and call out total points.

🎯 Teacher Focus: Observe hand-eye coordination. Offer gentle corrections using vocabulary. Reinforce soft hands and relaxed fingers.

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Skill Development (15 mins) — Catch it if you Can

Drill-Based Carousel (3 stations x 5 mins)

Split the class into 3 pairs. Each station rotates every 5 minutes. Setup stations by using cones to define spaces.

Station 1: Catch & Step

• One partner stands still and the other gently throws underarm from 1m.
• Progress to 2m, then 3m.
• Focus: Soft hands, catching with both hands, stepping into the catch.

Station 2: Catch on the Move

• Students jog slowly side to side between cones (2m apart).
• Partner throws the ball into their path; student must track and catch while moving.
• Extension: Catch using only one hand.

Station 3: Reaction Catch

• One student stands with back turned to their partner.
• Partner says their name and throws ball.
• Upon hearing name, student turns and attempts to catch it.
• Focus on sharp reactions and footwork.

🎯 Teacher Tip: At each station, ask students to self-assess their effort/challenges using a show of fingers (1-5 scale). Prompt feedback with guided questions: "What made that catch harder?", "Where were your hands?"

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Team Challenge Game (10 mins) — Catching Rounders Lite

Setup:

• Mark out a 6m x 6m grid with cones.
• Students in two teams of 3.

How to Play:

• One team lines up on the edge of the box, and one ‘pitcher’ throws the ball gently to a ‘catcher’ who must run and catch it inside the space.
• If caught cleanly, the team scores 1 point.
• Rotate pitchers and catchers every attempt.

Variation:

• Add an “accuracy zone” where harder throws gain more points.
• Use special 'double points' rounds where the catcher must move more than 2 metres before the catch.

🎯 Teacher Focus: Emphasise collaboration and communication – students should call for the ball and give each other tips.

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Cool Down & Reflection (5 mins) — Ball Yoga & Talk

Movement:

• Students sit in a circle, legs crossed.
• Use balls as stability tools: balance them on knees, heads, hands.

Calming stretches:

• Reach for toes with ball
• Side twists with ball in hand
• Shoulder rolls while passing the ball in slow motion

Discussion Prompts:

• “What helped you catch better today?”
• “Did anyone surprise you with a great catch?”
• “When was it hard to catch and why?”

🎯 Reflection Strategy: Pair-share, then volunteers speak briefly to the class.

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Assessment for Learning

During Lesson:

• Observational feedback during drills
• Self-assessment using 1–5 fingers at stations
• Peer praise and corrections during the team challenge

End of Lesson:

• Use a “Catch it Meter” poster. Students place their names under:
  • “I’m Learning to Catch”
  • “I'm Catching Well Now”
  • “I’m a Catching Star!”
    This is non-competitive and highlights self-progress.

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Differentiation

Support:

• Larger, slower-moving balls
• Shorter distances
• Stationary positions

Challenge:

• Increase throwing distance
• Use one hand only
• Partner throws with added movement (bounce, side throw)

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Teacher Wow Factor 💡

To elevate engagement — consider ending the lesson with a quick snapshot video on a tablet (with school-approved devices), showing each learner’s best catch moment. Compile them next week in the final session to celebrate progress.

Include a weekly challenge card for home:

“Catch with a family member 10 times in a row without dropping. Try from different distances!”

Print as a postcard-style handout.

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Cross-Curricular Link

Maths: Counting successful catches, using simple addition and tally charts during the warm-up and game phases.
PSHE: Perseverance, resilience and teamwork — handling mistakes positively.

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Next Lesson Preview (Lesson 10 of 10)

🏁 The Grand Catch-Off — A conclusion celebration where students demonstrate everything they’ve learnt — catching, throwing, and movement — in team and individual challenges.

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Teacher Notes

• Use positive reinforcement and keep instructions short and energetic.
• Use the small group size of six to give frequent personal feedback.
• Praise effort over 'success' to build confidence and willingness to try riskier catches.

“Remember – great catchers never stand still. They move to meet the ball!”

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✅ This lesson is fully aligned with the expectations of the UK National Curriculum for Key Stage 2 PE, specifically focusing on fundamental movement skills, object control, and collaboration.