Sitting - Kneeling - Standing

This activity helps isolate the different components of the overarm throw to make it easier for children to learn the technique. Make it fun and engaging by having a variety of targets and turning it into a game to hit them all.

Set up

Place enough flat markers per child (you can use chalk on pavement, shoes, water bottles etc). A suitable distance away, set up various targets of different sizes and heights. You can use soft toys, chalk drawings on a wall, boxed stacked up etc. Place 3 tennis balls behind each marker. Children start at a marker facing the targets.

How to play
Step 1:
  • Children hold 1 item at eye-level or slightly above and support elbow with non-throwing hand
  • Using the action of forearm only, children flick ball towards targets
  • Once everyone has had 10 throws while sitting, collect balls and progress to the Kneeling stage
Step 2:
  • Children kneel high and position ball in-line with shoulder
  • Using whole arm, children rotate torso to generate power and throw ball towards targets
  • Once children have had 10 throws progress to the Standing stage
Step 3:
  • Children stand at their marker with the ball in throwing hand
  • On Ready, Aim, Fire command, children point at targets with non-throwing hand and step forward and throw ball towards targets
  • Ask children questions about each stage and which throws are the most powerful and why
Variations
Make it easier
  • Stay on any stage as long as you need
Make it harder
  • Try throwing with your non-dominant hand
Activity information
Age: Kindergarten, Pre-Primary, Year 1, Year 2
Participants: 1 +
Equipment: Markers (optional), Tennis balls, Targets, Soft toys (optional), Chalk (optional)
Duration: 10 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Skill teaching

As the activity progresses, it is important children are prepared to overarm throw. Use the following teaching cues to demonstrate this before commencing;

  1. Ready: Stand like a surfer (side-on)
  2. Aim: Make a muscle man (throwing arm bent up above shoulder), point non-throwing arm at target
  3. Fire: Step on the star (step with opposite foot onto star marker) and throw
Activity summary
Physical literacy tips
  • Let children design the targets