Athletics - Lesson 2

The second lesson in Reception athletics focuses on developing effective jumping and throwing techniques. Pupils are expected to master three key skills by the end of the session: throwing using a chest push, throwing with an overarm pull technique, and jumping to land safely at varying distances. Essential terms such as 'jumping', 'throwing', 'chest push', 'pull', 'overarm', 'take-off', and 'landing' are introduced to enrich the children's athletic vocabulary. The lesson requires a variety of equipment, including cones, large soft balls, beanbags, and hoops, to facilitate the activities planned.

The session starts with a 10-minute warm-up game called 'Frogs And Flies', where children practice two-footed jumping and quick movements while understanding the concept of a safe zone ('home'). The main part of the lesson, lasting 30 minutes, is divided into two activities. The first is 'Push And Pull Throws', where pupils work in pairs to practice overarm throws with beanbags and chest push throws with balls, focusing on correct body positioning and eye coordination. The second activity is 'Long Jump Practice', where children jump into hoops from a standing start, experimenting with different arm positions to understand their effect on jump distance. The lesson concludes with a 10-minute cool-down called 'Pick The Apples', encouraging pupils to reflect on the athletic skills they have demonstrated throughout the lesson, such as skipping and reaching movements.