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Lesson 3 of 6
  • Year 3

Throwing overarm

I can understand how, when and why to throw a ball overarm with power and distance.

Lesson 3 of 6
New
New
  • Year 3

Throwing overarm

I can understand how, when and why to throw a ball overarm with power and distance.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: to throw overarm, stand side on with opposite arm to foot, arm and elbow high and finish by extending the arm.
  2. Move: when fielding over a distance, we need to use an overarm throw to powerfully return the ball to a target.
  3. Think: evaluating strengths and weaknesses in our technique develops an accurate and powerful overarm throwing action.
  4. Feel: practising our overarm throw until we improve our technique, shows determination and integrity.
  5. Connect: collaborating with our partners and helping each other improve our throwing technique shows respect.

Keywords

  • Accuracy - the ability to control where we throw an object

  • Overarm - throwing a ball in which you stretch your arm over your shoulder.

  • Powerful - the ability to use force when aiming at different targets

Common misconception

Pupils generate a throwing action using the the arm only.

Encourage pupils to use all the body, rather than just the arm when throwing, to help generate power and balance when throwing over a greater distance.


To help you plan your year 3 physical education lesson on: Throwing overarm, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use objects as a visual guide for children to throw over to help see the trajectory of the throw through the air
Teacher tip

Equipment

30+ cones; balls and various throwing objects; hoops (1 between 2)

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What do you call the ability to control where an object is thrown?

effort
force
Correct answer: accuracy

Q2.
How can we show support for teammates when they make a mistake?

Correct answer: help them
call their name
take their go

Q3.
What throwing technique can help with accuracy?

overarm
Correct answer: underarm
lob

Q4.
What can help us to hit the target?

speed
Correct answer: control
distraction

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What parts of the body are needed to throw an overarm throw?

the arm only
arm and shoulder
Correct answer: whole body

Q2.
What can help to improve our throwing accuracy?

Correct answer: practise
nothing
power

Q3.
What might be the result of using too much power when throwing towards a target?

not reached
hit
Correct answer: overshot

Q4.
What can we build when working with others to improve our throwing technique?

strength
Correct answer: trust
points