Advancing Shot Put Skills

---

Overview

Grade Level: 11th Grade
Subject: Physical Education – Shot Put
US Curriculum Alignment: High School Physical Education Standards (SHAPE America, National Physical Education Standards):

• Standard 2: Demonstrates the knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness.
• Standard 3: Applies knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics related to movement and performance.
• Standard 4: Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others.

Lesson Duration: 140 minutes (2 hours, 20 minutes)
Class Size: 7 students

---

Lesson Objectives

1. Cognitive Objectives:

   • Identify the fundamental rules, techniques, and biomechanics of shot put.
   • Understand the safety measures necessary when practicing or competing in shot put.

2. Psychomotor Objectives:

   • Demonstrate proper grip, stance, glide, and release techniques for shot put.
   • Develop explosive power and coordination through progressive throwing drills.

3. Affective Objectives:

   • Build self-confidence and perseverance while attempting to improve personal shot put distance.
   • Foster teamwork and peer feedback to enhance learning.

---

Lesson Content

Sections

1. Theory (30 minutes)
2. Warm-Up & Conditioning (15 minutes)
3. Technical Development (45 minutes)
4. Application Drill & Activity (35 minutes)
5. Cooldown and Reflection (15 minutes)

---

Lesson Activities

1. Theory: Introduction to Shot Put (30 minutes)

Content:

• Historical context of shot put as a track-and-field event.
• Equipment overview: shot sizes and weights for men’s and women’s events, relevant to standards for competitive track.
• Techniques: Grip, stance, glide/rotation, release, and follow-through.
• Understanding biomechanics (base of support, center of gravity, and angles of release).
• Discussion on safety etiquette during training and competition.

Instructional Strategy: PowerPoint with visual aids, video demonstration clips of professional athletes, and teacher-led discussion.

Differentiation: Provide printed handouts of key technical points and mechanics for students who might prefer written material for future study.

Resources/Materials:

• Visual aids (printed diagrams and photos of technique).
• Projector and laptop for video demonstration.
• Handouts on technique and safety.

---

2. Warm-Up & Conditioning (15 minutes)

Content:
Dynamic stretching and cardio preparation with focus on muscles used in shot put execution: legs, glutes, shoulders, and core.

Activity:

1. 3-minute dynamic jog around the gym/track.
2. Dynamic stretches (teacher-led group session):
   • Arm circles (forward/backward – 10 reps).
   • Walking lunges with torso twist (10 meters).
   • Medicine ball overhead throws (3-pound ball, 10 reps).
3. 3 explosive bounding drills (forward two-leg bounds for distance).

Differentiation: Assign varied medicine ball weights based on individual strengths and accommodate those with mobility restrictions by modifying stretches.

Resources/Materials:

• Medicine ball (2-3 different weights).

---

3. Technical Development (45 minutes)

Content: Segmented practice on key motions (grip, stance, glide/rotation, and release).

Activity Breakdown:

• Grip and Stance (10 minutes):

  • Demonstrate proper finger positioning and wrist alignment for grip.
  • Practice starting stance in the shot put circle.

• Glide/Rotation Drills (20 minutes):

  • Beginners start with glide: Place cone markers for foot placement.
  • Advanced students introduced to rotational technique.
  • Practice without release to refine footwork and balance.

• Release and Follow Through (15 minutes):

  • Focus on optimal release angle (teacher demonstrates the effect of different angles using foam balls).
  • Progressively incorporate completed motion of the throw (with low-weight shots).

Differentiation: Students struggling with form will work briefly one-on-one with the teacher. Advanced students will perform full sequence drills at a faster pace or begin experimenting with rotational techniques.

Resources/Materials:

• Practice shots (5-6 lbs for girls, 10-12 lbs for boys).
• Foam balls for initial release practice.
• Cones or floor markers for glide foot positioning.

---

4. Application Drill & Activity (35 minutes)

Content: Competitive application of learned skills in small group settings.

Activity:

1. Distance Challenge:

   • Each student records a series of five throws using complete shot put mechanics.
   • Measure distances and track personal improvements.

2. Feedback Circles:

   • Pair students for peer feedback (one throws, the other observes and gives constructive critique).
   • Teacher rotates among groups to monitor and provide additional input.

Differentiation:

• Students with weaker throws will compete in a modified “target accuracy” drill instead of distance challenges.
• Stronger throwers will be encouraged to add a slight rotational element to their glide for improved power.

Resources/Materials:

• Measuring tape.
• Score sheets for tracking distance.

---

5. Cooldown and Reflection (15 minutes)

Content:

• Cooldown to relax muscles and prevent soreness.
• Group discussion to reflect on the day’s performance.

Activity:

1. Slow lap around the track or walking stretch.
2. Static stretches: Shoulder rolls, quad holds, butterfly stretch, and hamstring stretch (positioned in a circle for guided instruction).
3. Reflective sharing: Students set one goal to achieve before the next lesson (e.g., improve distance by 2 feet, refine glide/rotation step).

Differentiation: Variations in cooldown stretches will accommodate students with flexibility limitations, with teacher modeling alternatives.

Resources/Materials:

• Reflection handouts with a short self-assessment section (e.g., “What did you improve on today? What do you want to focus on next time?”).

---

Formative Evaluation Strategies

• Observation Checklist: Teacher tracks individual improvement on grip, stance, glide/rotation, and release.
• Peer Feedback: Evaluate the quality of student feedback during pair activity.
• Distance Tracking: Measure improvement in throw lengths across the session and provide individual feedback.
• Exit Reflection: Review students’ submitted goal-setting responses for insight into their understanding and self-awareness.

---

Materials/Resources Summary

• PowerPoint slides or printed diagrams (grip, stance, release).
• Videos of professional shot put athletes performing techniques.
• Practice shots (variety of weights).
• Measuring tape, floor markers, cones.
• Medicine balls.
• Handouts (technique overview, self-assessment reflection sheets).

---

Teacher Notes

• Emphasize safety at all times — especially during throwing practice.
• Ensure students rotate roles during peer assessments for equitable practice time.
• Provide consistent positive reinforcement to build student confidence.