TECHNIQUE
Today we are going to learn how to throw underhand to a partner.
IMPORTANCE
Underhand throwing to a partner is important because it improves your hand-eye coordination and accuracy.
VOCABULARY
Palm: the inner surface of the hand between the wrist and fingers.
Underhand: a throw made with the arm or hand below shoulder level.
When throwing underhand to a partner, it is important to:
1. Face your partner.
2. Bring your throwing arm back.
3. Step with your opposite foot while your throwing arm swings forward.
4. Let go of the ball when your palm is pointing at your partner.
5. Follow through with your throwing arm.
PRACTICE
- I will divide the class into teams of two. Ro Sham Bo to decide who will throw first. One teammate will stand on the baseline, the other will stand five feet away from him/her. When I say, "GO!" throw the ball underhand to one another and see how many complete passes you can make. If you drop the ball at any point, restart your count.
POKEMON GO
TIME
10-20 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
4-28 students per game
EQUIPMENT
12 fuzzy balls (2 red, 2 yellow, 2 blue, 2 green, 2 orange, 2 purple)
20 short cones
10 tall cones
STORYLINE
Today we are playing Pokemon Go! In this game, you and your teammate are trying to catch all the Pokemon. Your goal is to find a hidden Pokemon and throw it underhand to your teammate.
INSTRUCTIONS
- I will divide the class into teams of two.
- When I say, “GO!” run to any cone on the field.
- When you find a Pokemon underneath the cone, stand three feet away from your partner and make three complete underhand throws and catches with it.
- If you drop the Pokemon, you have to start over.
- Hide the Pokemon back underneath the same cone you found it.
- Try and catch all the different color Pokemon.
- Before each new game, I will select two students responsible for moving and hiding the Pokemon to different spots.
Game 1: Play as indicated above.
Game 2: Increase the number of throws and catches.
Game 3: After students have made their complete throws and catches, they may hide the Pokemon under a different cone.
Game 4: Reduce the number of Pokemon each round.
Exit Ticket: Students throw underhand to the teacher to put the ball away.
TEACHING TIPS
- Approach:
- Students will most likely be able to see the Pokemon underneath the cones. Encourage them to still keep the location of all the Pokemon a secret from other teams.
- ELL Accommodation:
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation:
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
- Allow students extra time to master the skill.
- Reflection:
- When throwing, step with your __________ foot while your throwing arm swings forward.
- I encouraged my partner today by...
FOUR CORNER CATCH
TIME
15-25 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
4-28 students per game
EQUIPMENT
1 playground ball per 2 students
11 short cones
Optional: 24 fuzzy balls
STORYLINE
Today we are playing Four Corner Catch. Your goal is to be the first team to have all members catch a ball while throwing underhand to your allied team.
INSTRUCTIONS
- I will divide the class into four teams.
- Each game, your team will be allied with one other team.
- When I say, “GO!” throw a ball underhand to your allied team and get in the ready position to quickly receive a ball.
- When you catch a ball, sit down.
- We will begin a new game when everyone has caught a ball.
Game 1: Play as indicated above. Team 1 and Team 2 throw to one another. Team 3 and Team 4 throw to one another.
Game 2: Team 1 and Team 3 throw to one another. Team 2 and Team 4 throw to one another.
Game 3: Team 1 and Team 4 throw to one another. Team 2 and Team 3 throw to one another.
Variation: Play with fuzzy balls instead of playground balls.
Exit Ticket: Students throw underhand to the teacher to put the ball away.
TEACHING TIPS
- Approach:
- Remind students to only throw underhand.
- Divide teams equally based on athletic ability.
- Safety:
- Remind defending students to use the ready position to catch the ball.
- ELL Accommodation:
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation:
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
- Allow students extra time to master the skill.
- Reflection:
- When throwing, step with your __________ foot while your throwing arm swings forward.
- I encouraged my partner today by...
RUSHING RIVER
TIME
10-20 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
No restrictions
EQUIPMENT
2 long jump ropes
1 playground ball per 2 students
5 short cones
STORYLINE
Today we are playing Rushing River. In this game, your goal is to throw underhand to a partner and catch the ball as many times as possible while the river grows larger and larger.
INSTRUCTIONS
- I will divide the class into partners.
- Ro Sham Bo to decide who will begin with the ball.
- When I say, “GO!” you must make a certain number of complete throws and catches with your partner. This number will increase each game.
- Once you have made the required number of throws and catches, sit down so I know you are ready to move onto the next game.
- If your ball falls into the river, quickly retrieve it before an alligator eats it.
- The river will widen at the beginning of each game.
- You must stay behind the river boundary when you are throwing or catching.
Game 1: Play as indicated above. Students have to make three complete passes before widening the river.
Game 2: Students have to make five complete passes before widening the river.
Game 3: Elimination round. If your ball drops in the swampy river, then an alligator has eaten it. You may practice throwing and catching the ball with your partner somewhere in the field.
Exit Ticket: Students throw underhand to the teacher to put the ball away.
TEACHING TIPS
- Approach:
- Let students catch the ball at least three times before widening the river.
- Safety:
- Remind students to use the ready position when catching the ball.
- ELL Accommodation:
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation:
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
- Allow students extra time to master the skill.
- Reflection:
- When throwing, step with your __________ foot while your throwing arm swings forward.
- I encouraged my partner today by...