Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 10
Pitching and catching techniques
I can pitch and catch a softball with a variety of techniques.
- Year 10
Pitching and catching techniques
I can pitch and catch a softball with a variety of techniques.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Move: a full circular rotation of the arm is executed before releasing the ball in a windmill pitch.
- Move: catching the ball with the glove and securing with the throwing hand gives a high certainty of making the catch.
- Think: throwing a variety of pitches, including fast and slow balls, reduces the chances of the batter hitting it.
- Feel: a fly ball offers more time to get into position but also to doubt yourself. This is overcome through practice.
- Connect: feedback should be given sensitively, but if individuals are confident, they typically handle more criticism.
Keywords
Fly ball - a ball hit high in the air that will likely be caught by a fielder
Crocodile bite - using both hands to secure the ball like a crocodile’s jaws snapping shut
Windmill pitch - underarm pitching technique used in fast-pitch softball, where the pitcher makes a full 360-degree circular motion with their throwing arm before releasing the ball
Common misconception
Pupils may field fly balls by putting their arm up in the air then running to where they think it'll land.
Teach pupils to beat the ball to the landing spot by running fast - something which can't be done with one arm in the air - then position themselves to catch.
To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Pitching and catching techniques, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Pitching and catching techniques, 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 4 physical education lessons from the Striking and fielding games: evaluate and improve performance in softball unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
tennis rackets, softballs, tennis balls, softball gloves
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
