Athletics - Lesson 4

In the fourth lesson of a Year 6 athletics programme, students are introduced to a variety of throwing events with the aim of competing successfully. The lesson's objectives are to ensure pupils can employ the correct techniques for all throws, accurately measure distances, and challenge themselves to achieve further distances. Key vocabulary such as 'javelin', 'shot putt', 'overhead heave', 'chest push', 'cricket throw', 'measuring', 'distance', and 'challenge' are introduced. To facilitate the activities, equipment such as tape measures, cones, foam javelins, junior shot putts, basketballs, netballs, and junior cricket balls are required. The lesson begins with a warm-up that involves quick catches with a tennis ball while moving around, focusing on communication, underarm throws, and two-handed catches, with variations and extensions to increase the difficulty.

The main part of the lesson lasts 40 minutes and includes five different throwing activities: javelin, shot putt, overhead heave, chest push, and cricket throw. Pupils are divided into groups and rotate through each activity, taking turns to throw, record scores, and measure distances. Each activity has specific instructions regarding the technique and how to measure throws. For example, in the javelin throw, pupils have a small run-up but must not cross the throwing zone line, and distances are recorded to the nearest 10cm based on the first point of contact with the ground. The lesson emphasises correct technique for each event and encourages pupils to improve their scores with each attempt. The session concludes with a cool-down activity involving a group cricket throw, where points are scored for the furthest throw based on the first bounce. Pupils reflect on the different equipment's throwing dynamics and discuss their enjoyment of the lesson.