Stocking Striking

Children hitting ball off tee

An activity you can play at home to improve striking skills and hand-eye coordination!

Set up

Place a rolled-up pair of socks, a bouncy ball, or a small weighted toy in each leg of a pair of stockings and hang them from a tree, ceiling or doorway. If you don't have any stockings, be creative and use something else (like a string) to hang your striking target. Use a cardboard roll, or an object of similar length, as your bat.

How to play
Step 1:
  • When you have enough space to yourself, begin trying to hit the stocking!
Step 2:
  • Count how many times you can hit it in a row, or see who can hit it the highest!
Variations
Make it easier
  • An adult or older child stands to the side (out of the way) and holds the stocking by the neck to reduce the amount the target swings
  • Use a wider bat
Make it harder
  • Tie knots in the stockings to raise the target higher
  • Use a skinnier bat
  • Try blindfolded!
Activity information
Age: 3-5 years, Kindergarten, Pre-Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4
Participants: 1 +
Duration: 10 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Skill teaching

Encourage children to use the following striking teaching cues;

  1. Hands together
  2. Ready: stand side on to the stocking 
  3. Eyes on the target
  4. Step & Swing – step with the front foot towards the target
Physical literacy tips
  • Tie knots in the stockings to raise the target higher for taller children