Throwing: accuracy vs distance
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore the differences between throwing for accuracy and throwing for distance.
Key learning points
- Move: when throwing for distance, stand sideways on, arm up, elbow bent, releasing the bean bag just past your head.
- Move: when throwing underarm for accuracy, step into your throw and aim towards the target.
- Think: if we release the beanbag too late it will go towards the floor but if we release too early it will go too high.
- Feel: focus on remaining positive and determined even when we are finding throwing challenges difficult.
- Connect: we should evaluate the performance of our partners to encourage them to improve their performance.
Keywords
Throwing - using your hand to send an object through the air to a specific target or area
Distance - the length of space between two points. This might mean how far an athlete has thrown an object
Power - the ability to use force to throw an object over a greater distance
Common misconception
When pupils follow through on their throw, they use excessive force which causes them to lose balance, impacting the throw and often causing them to step over the throwing line.
Ensure pupils understand the consequences of stepping over the throwing line - foul throw.
Teacher tip
Allow pupils to extend their learning with a small run up before overarm throwing, but only when they are secure with the sideways standing technique. Having strong balance and good technique is essential before progressing.
Equipment
Worksheet: throwing for distance: personal best, 3 beanbags between 2, 3 hoops between 2, 30+ cones.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which throw is best for distance throwing?
Q2.Which word is a planned set of actions?
Q3.What can help with your balance when sprinting around a curve?
Q4.What’s the benefit of explaining tactics to your team?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which word do we use to describe how far an athlete has thrown an object?
Q2.Where will the object go if you release it too late when throwing?
Q3.How can you help your partner to improve their throwing?
Q4.What's the consequence of losing your balance due to using too much force on your follow through, and stepping over the throwing line??
To help you plan your 3 physical education lesson on: Throwing: accuracy vs distance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 physical education lesson on: Throwing: accuracy vs distance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 2 physical education lessons from the Athletics: athletic challenges unit, dive into the full primary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.