Throwing and Catching

Overview

Unit: Fundamental Movement Fun
Lesson: 4 of 6
Duration: 30 minutes
Class size: 25 Reception students (ages 4-5)
Subject: Physical Education
Theme: Developing basic throwing and catching skills using soft balls
Curriculum Link:

• Physical Development – Moving and Handling (Early Years Foundation Stage Framework)
• Physical Education Programmes of Study – Fundamental Movement Skills (Primary National Curriculum)
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Encouraging cooperation and turn-taking

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Learning Objectives

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

• Demonstrate basic throwing skills with control and direction.
• Demonstrate basic catching skills focusing on tracking the ball and using two hands.
• Participate cooperatively in partner and small-group activities.
• Show improved hand-eye coordination during throwing and catching tasks.

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Resources Needed

• 25 soft foam balls (one per child)
• Hoops or circle markers (5-7 depending on activity space)
• Cones to mark boundaries
• Soft target boards (optional for aiming practice)
• A colourful floor map or taped markings for positioning
• Visual cue cards showing throwing and catching steps (for visual learners)

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Lesson Structure

1. Welcome and Warm-up (5 minutes)

Purpose: Prepare the children physically and mentally for activity, promote body awareness

• Begin with a fun “Follow My Leader” warm-up:
  • Simple stretches (reach for the sky, touch toes)
  • Gentle jogging on the spot or walking around the space
  • “Freeze and Throw”: When the teacher says “Throw!”, children pretend to throw an imaginary ball; on “Freeze!” they stop and balance.

Teacher Tips: Use lively music softly in the background to motivate movement; encourage naming body parts during stretches.

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2. Skill Introduction: Throwing Basics (6 minutes)

Focus: Teach correct throwing stance and motion appropriate for Reception children (underarm throw)

• Gather children in a circle, with a soft ball each.
• Model key points for throwing:
  • Hold ball with one hand (dominant hand)
  • Stand sideways to target, feet shoulder-width apart
  • Swing arm gently backward, then forward to release ball aiming at a partner or target
• Use a large mirror or the reflective surface if possible so children can watch themselves
• Use the visual cue cards showing “Hold, Swing, Release”

Activity:

• In pairs, children practise rolling the ball gently towards each other to build confidence with aiming, under teacher supervision.

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3. Skill Introduction: Catching Basics (6 minutes)

Focus: Teach children to track the ball and use two hands to catch

• Demonstrate: “Watch the ball, hands ready like a cupcake” (cupping hands gently)
• Show catching from a standing partner throwing gently underarm from short distance
• Encourage practice of listening and focusing, using visual cues: eyes on the ball, hands ready ahead of the body
• In pairs, children practise catching soft balls rolled or gently tossed underarm, varying distances slightly as skill improves

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4. Partner Challenge: Catching and Throwing Relay (8 minutes)

Setup:

• Create 5 groups of 5 children, each forming pairs standing about 2m apart inside marked circles
• Each pair has one ball

Activity:

• Children take turns throwing the ball to their partner and then moving back one step after each successful catch, increasing distance gradually
• Partner who receives the ball throws next
• After 4 successful throws and catches, groups celebrate with a cheer!
• Teacher encourages praise for effort and persistence

Differentiation: Allow slower or less confident children to catch rolled balls rather than thrown initially

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5. Group Game: “Balloon Pop Catch” (5 minutes)

Purpose: Consolidate skills with fun, fast-paced activity focusing on eye-hand coordination

How to play:

• Teacher tosses multiple soft balls/balloons into the air (one per group or shared)
• Children must catch or tap the balloons softly without dropping them
• If a balloon drops, count how many times it touches the floor; aim to keep it in the air as a group
• Children shout encouragement to teammates, promoting social skills and teamwork

Variations: Use flashing lights or rhythm claps to time throws and catches to add sensory engagement

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6. Cool Down and Reflection (End, 2 minutes)

• Gentle stretching seated or standing: reach for toes, slow deep breaths
• Circle time discussion: Ask children what they enjoyed and what was tricky
• Reinforce that practice helps skills improve
• Praise all children for effort, share stickers or stamps for participation

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Assessment and Evidence

• Informal observation of children’s ability to throw and catch with basic control
• Notes on children’s cooperation and turn-taking during activities
• Use of photographic or video recording (with parental consent) to track progression over unit
• Feedback from children during reflection to gauge confidence and enjoyment

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Teacher Reflection Prompts

• Did all children engage and feel successful?
• Which children needed more support or challenge?
• How effective were the visual and verbal prompts?
• Could the space or equipment be adjusted for better flow?

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Additional Tips for Success

• Use positive reinforcement generously; for example, “I love how you watched the ball!”
• Offer slow-motion demonstration if a child is struggling
• Maintain high energy but calm transitions between activities
• Encourage children to talk about how the ball feels when throwing or catching to develop kinaesthetic awareness

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This lesson plan supports the holistic development of Reception children by focusing on fundamental skills in an engaging, inclusive, and physically supportive environment. It aligns closely with the Early Years Foundation Stage and promotes lifelong physical literacy.