Cricket - Lesson 3

In the third lesson of a cricket series for Year 3 pupils, the primary learning objective is to develop catching skills. The lesson outlines clear success criteria, including the ability to throw and catch from an underarm position, perform overhead catches, and apply these skills in a simple match situation. Key terminology such as 'throw', 'catch', and 'stance' is introduced to help pupils understand and communicate about the sport effectively. The equipment required for this lesson includes balls of a suitable size and weight for the children's age, such as tennis balls, as well as cones, bats, and wickets to set up the playing area.

The lesson is structured with a 10-minute warm-up, a 30-minute main session, and a 10-minute cool-down. During the warm-up, pupils engage in close catching exercises and a catch relay to hone their reflexes and coordination. The main session progresses to catching for distance, with the thrower aiming for the receiver's shoulder or head height, and teaching points emphasise the correct hand positioning and body movement for effective catching. The highlight of the lesson is a game called 'Caterpillar Cricket', where one team bats and the other fields, focusing on teamwork and quick passing to prevent runs. The lesson concludes with a jogging line cool down, incorporating arm circles and a dynamic exercise where the pupil at the back of the line moves to the front using different movements such as walking, skipping, or jogging.