Throwing: Soft shot putt/tennis ball/football - Lesson Plan

The fourth lesson in the Year 6 Athletics unit focuses on the skill of throwing, specifically using soft shot putts, tennis balls, or footballs. The lesson objectives are designed to help students accurately replicate the proper throwing technique, understand how to achieve greater distances by refining their stance, comprehend the relationship between the speed of their action and the distance thrown, and develop the ability to recognize good performances. Resources needed for the lesson include cones, hoops, and a selection of balls suitable for throwing exercises. Key terms such as explosive power, coordination, and balance are emphasized as part of the literacy component.

The success criteria for the lesson are clear and practical. Students aim to master the correct stance for shot put, learn to push a ball while maintaining this stance, and release the ball at the optimal angle after a shuffle. The lesson begins with a warm-up called 'DOTS', lasting 5 minutes, where students jog and respond to various commands to prepare them physically and mentally. The main activity involves shot put practice in pairs for 10 minutes, where students progress from pushing a ball while standing, to kneeling, and finally to the correct shot put technique from underneath the chin. A 15-minute shot put competition follows, where students apply their technique in small groups, aiming to improve their throwing distance. The lesson concludes with a 5-minute cool down involving controlled arm swings to help students wind down while still focusing on coordination.