Throwing for Distance - Lesson Plan

In Year 4's athletics unit, Lesson Three focuses on 'Throwing for Distance' and aims to develop students' throwing techniques to maximize distance. The objectives are to accurately replicate a set technique for throwing events, to engage in a range of push, pull, and slinging events, and to understand how body technique affects the distance of a throw. The resources required for this lesson include cones, quoits, hoops, and various balls such as tennis, football, and netball. Key vocabulary terms like 'spin', 'sling', 'pull', 'incremental', and 'explosive' are introduced to enhance literacy in the context of athletics.

The lesson begins with a warm-up where students pair up and sidestep while passing a tennis ball, gradually increasing the distance and then switching to a larger ball to push from the shoulder. The main activity involves exploring different throwing techniques with various implements to see which yields the greatest distance. Students work in pairs, using a hoop to gauge accuracy and experiment with how techniques may vary with different objects. Success is measured by the ability to throw for distance, increase speed of action, and accurately evaluate and mark the throw's projectile. The lesson concludes with a cool down involving seated ball throws in groups of three, focusing on straight legs and successful catches to achieve consecutive passes.