Shot Put Fundamentals

Overview

This 45-minute session is designed for Year 9 students (age 13-14) to develop the ability to perform the shot put using correct technique, in line with the National Curriculum for England Physical Education programme of study. This lesson focuses on improving physical competence, understanding biomechanical principles, and encouraging safe participation.

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National Curriculum References

• Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), Physical Education Programme of Study
  • Pupils should be taught to:
    • Use a range of tactics and strategies to overcome opponents in direct competition through team and individual games (including athletics)
    • Develop their technique and improve their performance in other competitive sports
    • Analyse their performances and demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best
    • Understand and apply the basic principles and rules of athletics events for safety and fairness

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Learning Objectives

• Cognitive:

  • Understand the key phases and correct technique of the shot put, including grip, stance, glide, and release.
  • Identify safe practices and rules in shot put to prevent injury.

• Psychomotor:

  • Perform the shot put using the correct technique with increasing control and power.
  • Improve consistency in shot put distance through feedback and adjustment.

• Affective:

  • Show confidence and resilience when practising and attempting new physical skills.
  • Demonstrate co-operation when supporting peers’ learning.

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Resources

• Shot puts (or suitable weighted soft balls if real shot puts are unavailable)
• Markers or cones to measure distance
• Measuring tape
• Stopwatch or timer
• Open hard surface, e.g. athletics throwing circle or gym hall with safety zones
• Whiteboard or flipchart for explanations and demonstrations

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction and Warm-up (7 minutes)

• Gather students and briefly introduce the lesson focus: mastering the shot put.
• Begin with dynamic warm-up exercises relevant to shot put: arm circles, shoulder stretches, lunges, squats, and light jogging to increase heart rate and loosen muscles.
• Explain the importance of warming up for safety and performance.

2. Explanation and Demonstration (8 minutes)

• Use clear, age-appropriate language to break down the shot put technique into key phases:
  • Grip: Position of the shot against the neck/fingers, not the palm
  • Stance: Sideways on, feet shoulder-width apart
  • Glide: Smooth sliding movement to generate momentum (for beginners, start with simple standing throw)
  • Release: Pushing the shot with a powerful extension of the arm, following through
• Demonstrate the full action slowly, then at competition pace.
• Engage students by asking questions about body position and movement cues.
• Highlight common mistakes and how to avoid them.

3. Guided Practice (15 minutes)

• Divide the class into pairs or groups of three for peer-assisted learning and safety monitoring.
• Station 1: Grip and stance drills, practising holding the shot and adopting correct posture.
• Station 2: Practice the glide or standing throw for beginners, focusing on movement technique without release initially.
• Station 3: Full shot put throw with measured attempts, allowing students to apply grip, stance, glide, and release.
• Circulate providing individualised feedback, emphasising technique over distance at this stage.
• Encourage students to use verbalisation (e.g., "push," "slide," "extend") to reinforce skill memory.

4. Independent Challenge and Assessment (10 minutes)

• Students complete 3 measured shot put throws using correct technique aiming for improvement or personal bests.
• Teachers observe and record performance data focusing on:
  • Technique accuracy according to taught phases
  • Consistency and effort
  • Application of safety rules
• Peer assessment can be integrated: feedback on technique and encouragement using a simple feedback rubric (e.g., grip, stance, glide, release).

5. Cool Down and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Lead a light cool-down involving shoulder stretching and deep breathing to reduce muscle tension.
• Group discussion/reflection: ask students what was challenging, what they improved, and how using the correct technique helped.
• Reinforce the importance of technique for performance and injury prevention.

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Assessment Criteria

• Can the student correctly demonstrate each phase of the shot put?
• Does the student perform the shot put safely and within rules?
• Has the student shown measurable improvement or greater consistency during the session?
• Does the student engage in peer feedback positively and respectfully?

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Differentiation

• Lower ability: Use soft shot puts, focus on standing throws without glide, extra support from teacher or peers.
• Higher ability: Introduce advanced technique aspects e.g., rotational throw or refining glide, encourage self-analysis using performance data.
• Physical/SEN needs: Adapt equipment, reduce weight, clearly scaffold instructions, ensure safety zones personalised.

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Cross-Curricular Links

• Science: Biomechanics of movement – how force, momentum, and muscle power affect the shot put distance.
• Maths: Measuring distances and calculating averages or improvements.
• PSHE: Emphasising fairness, respect, and healthy competition.

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Teacher Reflection Prompts

• Did students understand and internalise the technique phases?
• How effectively did peer feedback support learning?
• Were all students engaged and challenged appropriately?
• How could feedback and demonstration be adapted for future lessons?

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This plan is designed to maximise student progression against the National Curriculum expectations by blending knowledge, skill, and personal development in alignment with PE statutory guidance.