Softball and basic rules
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can apply fundamental softball rules and safety considerations to games.
Key learning points
- Move: pitchers send the ball directly over home plate and between the batter’s armpits and knees, into the strike zone.
- Think: batters make quick judgements about a pitch’s trajectory to avoid striking out.
- Think: dropping the bat carefully before running after a fair hit will avoid other players getting injured.
- Feel: learning skills and rules for a new game from a different culture can be exciting.
- Connect: by drawing on the experience within a group, you can support each other to grasp new rules/techniques/tactics.
Keywords
Strike - when a batter swings at a pitch but fails to hit it, or when a batter does not swing at a pitch that is accurately over the plate
Pitch - a ball delivered by the pitcher to the strike zone for the batter to attempt to hit
Pitcher - the fielder responsible for pitching (bowling) the ball
Common misconception
For many pupils, softball may be a totally new game. It's a game with a lot of different rules from the striking and fielding games they will already know such as rounders and cricket.
Learning the intricacies, language and rules of the game in the first lesson and playing a version which includes most of the main rules, will allow pupils to relate to, and see sense in what they learn later in the unit, to the game itself.
Teacher tip
Have some fun making the umpiring calls! Enthusiastic calls of "stee-rike one!" "play ball!" "safe!" and "you're out!" can really help create an engaging atmosphere around the game.
Equipment
additional materials. softball gloves, balls, bat, softball bases
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What must members of a batting team do when running?
Q2.What do we call it when fielders work together to get the ball back from a deep position?
Q3.What is the safest way for a fielder to catch the ball?
Q4.How do we ensure the batter has a fair opportunity to hit the ball from the bowler?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How can we support others when learning a new game?
Q2.Where, in relation to the batter, must a pitch be delivered to hit the strike zone?
Q3.What decision do you need to make if you think the pitch is going outside of the strike zone?
Q4.What is an important safety consideration after you hit the ball as the batter?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Softball and basic rules, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Softball and basic rules, 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.