Ball Skills - Lesson 1

The first lesson in Ball Skills for Reception children focuses on developing their confidence in moving and coordinating while holding an object. The learning objectives are clear: pupils should be able to explore different ways of moving a beanbag, roll a ball along their body, and roll and retrieve a tennis ball. To achieve these goals, a variety of equipment is required, including hoops, beanbags, large balls, and tennis balls. The lesson starts with a warm-up game called 'Rabbit Holes', where pupils navigate around hoops laid out on the floor and must quickly find safety in a hoop when instructed, simulating a rabbit avoiding a fox. This activity not only gets the children moving but also sharpens their awareness of space and the need for control.

During the main 30-minute session, the children are introduced to beanbag familiarisation exercises. They are encouraged to explore various movements with the beanbag, such as walking and balancing it on their head, sliding it along the floor, and small throws and catches. These activities help to improve their control and coordination. The session progresses to ball familiarisation, where pupils switch to using balls, performing similar tasks while sitting and standing, focusing on continuous control of the ball with their hands and fingers. The lesson concludes with a cool-down activity called 'Over & Under', where pairs of pupils pass a large ball to each other in different ways, reinforcing the skills practised during the lesson. This structured approach ensures that by the end of the session, pupils have not only engaged in physical activity but have also developed key ball-handling skills.