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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can catch balls in a variety of positions and throw with accuracy over different distances.

      Key learning points

      1. Move: throwing involves standing sideways on, swinging the throwing arm from behind the body to the front to release.
      2. Move: catching requires you meet the ball with your hands, cup/grasp the ball and cushion it into the waist
      3. Think: power comes from an overarm throw and accuracy with underarm throws.
      4. Feel: helping teammates to improve their catching and throwing skills shows excellent integrity.
      5. Connect: to be compassionate to teammates receiving the ball, adjust throwing style and speed.

      Keywords

      • Underarm throw - a throwing action where the arm doesn't go above the shoulder

      • Overarm throw - a throwing action where the arm is raised above the shoulder

      • Accuracy - being able to throw the ball exactly where you want it to go

      Common misconception

      Pupils often throw with a stiff arm and do not step into their pass with the opposite foot, resulting in inaccurate and unbalanced throws.

      Ensure that pupils can throw with the correct technique from a static position before adding any movement.

      Teacher tip

      Always provide different balls for pupils to select to help them develop good throwing and catching technique.

      Equipment

      1 ball per pupil (choice of different sized balls), A stack of cones of various colours.

      Content guidance

      Risk assessment required - physical activity

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What are we demonstrating if we have good control when throwing?

      power
      agility
      Correct answer: accuracy

      Q2.
      What is the name of the players who try to prevent batters from scoring?

      batters
      Correct answer: fielders
      bowlers

      Q3.
      Which skill is improved in a game if we communicate well about our tactics?

      speed
      Correct answer: decision making
      integrity

      Q4.
      Where should you aim when throwing to a teammate?

      their head
      the floor
      Correct answer: their chest

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Which throw will you use if you need to generate more power to throw over a long distance?

      Correct Answer: overarm throw, overarm

      Q2.
      What position should you stand in when throwing the ball?

      squate position
      Correct answer: sideways on
      one foot

      Q3.
      What skill are you showing if you help your teammates to improve their throwing and catching?

      Correct answer: integrity
      overconfidence
      lack of communication

      Q4.
      What can you do to help a teammate who is struggling to catch the ball?

      Correct answer: recuce throwing speed
      avoid them
      increase throwing speed

      To help you plan your 7 physical education lesson on: Catching, throwing and roller ball games, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...