Fun with Fielding

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Overview

Key Stage: KS2
Year Group: Year 5
Lesson Duration: 40 minutes
Class Size: 30 pupils
Curriculum Area: Physical Education
Activity Focus: Striking and Fielding Games
National Curriculum Link:

Pupils should be taught to use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and in combination; play competitive games, modified where appropriate, and apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will be able to:

• Accurately throw a ball at a moving target in a fielding context
• Begin to anticipate and react to a batter’s actions
• Work collaboratively in small groups to cover space and return the ball efficiently
• Apply tactical thinking in fielding scenarios

Success Criteria:

• I can stop or catch a moving ball in a small-sided game
• I can throw the ball accurately towards a target under pressure
• I can communicate effectively with my team when fielding

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Resources and Equipment

• 20 foam balls or tennis balls
• 10 plastic bats
• 30 coloured flat markers (to outline bases/positions)
• 10 large soft cones (as targets)
• 15 bibs (half class)
• Stopwatch or timer
• Whiteboard or chalkboard for explaining rules
• Whistle

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Lesson Structure

❗ Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Activity: “Rolling Relay”

• In groups of 5, pupils line up behind a cone.
• First pupil rolls the ball to a partner 10m away who fields it and runs back to the group.
• Emphasis on stopping the ball cleanly and returning it to the group safely.
• Encourages movement and re-familiarising pupils with ground fielding movements from the last lesson.

Progression Tip: Change rolling to underarm throw once they are confident.

🔄 Recap & Introduction (3 minutes)

• Gather pupils and briefly recap last lesson: “What did we learn about fielding the ball from the ground?”
• Introduce today's focus: fielding a moving ball and sending it to a target while under pressure from a batter or runner.

Use a whiteboard to draw a quick diagram of the main activity.

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Main Activity: "Striker Sprint and Field" (20 minutes)

🌟 Game Setup

Split into 6 groups of 5 (5 groups playing, 1 umpires/balls monitor—rotate every 5 minutes).
Each group has:

• 1 striker
• 2 fielders
• 2 runners

Mark out: a “batting square”, two bases (10m apart), and a throwing cone for the fielders to send the ball to.

How to Play:

• The striker hits a ball off a batting tee or underarm fed ball into the field.
• Runners try to complete as many runs between two cones before the fielders collect the ball and throw it to a target cone (the “stumps”).
• Once the ball hits the cone or is held at the cone, runners freeze.
• Rotate striker, runners, and fielders every 2 minutes.

Key Skills:

• Fielders must trap or stop the ball and quickly send it to the cone using an overarm or underarm throw.
• Introduce communication cues such as “YOURS”, “MINE”, or “SEND IT”.

Challenge/Extension:

• Fielders begin 5–10m further back and must sprint in to collect the ball.
• Add a second ball and runner for chaos decision-making.

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Game: "Zone Zap Fielding" (8 minutes)

A fast-paced, competitive mini-game to end on a high! Perfect for encouraging tactical positioning:

Setup:

• Divide the pitch into 3 zones (left, centre, right)
• 3 fielders defend each zone
• 1 striker hits the ball randomly into a zone (either off tee or underarm bowl)
• Fielders work together to return it to the middle cone
• If returned within 5 seconds of hitting the zone — 1 point to fielders
• If late — 1 point to striker

Rotate strikers to ensure everyone has a go.

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Cool Down (3 minutes):

Activity: ‘Fielder’s Freeze’

• Pupils jog slowly in a circle. On whistle, freeze in a fielding pose.
• Call out different throws (“overarm!”, “rolling!”, “underarm!”) and pupils mime the movement while holding their pose.
• Return to circle and slow until stationary.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe communication and collaboration between players
• Assess the accuracy and decision-making of throws under pressure
• Use questioning to prompt tactical thinking:
  • “Why did you choose that zone?”
  • “What was most effective for stopping runs?”

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Differentiation

Support:

• Have TAs or challenge buddies support children needing guidance with team roles
• Use larger balls or shorter distances for specific groups

Stretch:

• Task the high attainers with setting up or adjusting their own zones
• Use non-dominant hand for fielding or throwing
• Role of 'captain fielder' to instruct team mates

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Reflection and Plenary (1 minute)

Ask:

• “What worked well in your team’s fielding today?”
• “What will you do differently next time to stop more runs?”
  Highlight great examples of communication and teamwork.

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Looking Ahead

In next week’s session, students will explore:
Striking for placement – using eyes and body position to hit the ball away from fielders to maximise running opportunities. They'll begin to apply offensive tactics to beat a defensive team.

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Teacher's Toolbox: Quick Tips

• Use high energy music to enhance warm-up
• Involve pupils in rule adjustment for ownership
• Post-lesson journaling: Ask pupils to sketch their fielding positions and reflect on their movement

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This lesson encourages not just physical development, but also builds communication, strategy, and confidence — all core pillars of KS2 Physical Education.