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Unit 2 Skill Development and Success Criteria

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Throwing

Learning cues. These learning cues are for the overarm throw.

Grasp the ball in one hand.  Position yourself side on to target. Step forwards with opposite foot towards target. Follow through with your throwing arm - in the direction of the target.

Discovering

Activities in this phase focus on exploration of a variety of throwing experiences involving a variety of balls. Characteristics of the throwing at this stage include the following:

 

  • body faces the target

  • swing back with the arm and the weight transfer to back foot are limited

  • body rotates very little during the throw

  • no transfer of weight forwards

  • follow-through is forwards and downwards

Developing

Areas of focus in this phase are practising a variety of throwing actions in different and relatively static contexts, varying the distance of the throw and throwing at a stationary target. The characteristics of throwing at this phase are listed below:

  • arm is swung back and then forwards, high over the shoulder

  • the body, including trunk and shoulders, turns towards the throwing side

  • definite weight transfer from back foot to front foot

  • children tend to step forward on the same foot as their throwing arm

Consolidating

Applying different throwing actions to changing environments, like throwing to a moving target, is the focus of learning in this phase. Characteristics of this phase are listed below.

 

  • throwing arm is swung far back in preparation for forward swinging action

  • opposite arm is raised for balance/direction

  • there is a definite turning of the body through legs, hips and shoulders

  • weight transfers from back foot to front foot, with a step with the opposite foot

  • to the throwing arm

NB: For the follow on resource for throwing click the THROWING and CATCING (2)* button located beneath catching section below

Catching

Discovering

Developing

Consolidating

  • body positioned directly in path of the ball

  • eyes follow the flight path of the ball into the hands

  • arms ‘give’ on contact to absorb the force of the ball

  • hands and fingers spread to receive the ball,

    with thumbs in opposition to each other

     

Learning cues

Move your body directly in the path of the ball. Secure a wide base of support. Adjust your hand position for the height of the ball. Thumbs in for balls above the waist. Thumbs out for balls below the waist. Present a large surface area for the catch (e.g. fingers spread, hands in cup). Keep eyes on the ball until contact is made. Pull the ball/object into your body – body ‘gives’ with the catch.

 

  • body may turn away to avoid catch

  • arms held straight out in front of the body

  • body movement is passive until the point of contact

  • the body, rather than the hands, is used to catch the ball

  • palms of the hands are face up and the catch is more like a scoop

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • eyes may close at contact with the ball

  • arms tend to trap the ball – ‘crocodile’ catch

  • children tend to hold out their hands in opposition to each other, with

  • thumbs up

  • hands attempt to squeeze the ball

  • catching is poorly timed and uneven

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

NB: For the start of the resource for catching click the THROWING and CATCING (1)* button located beneath throwing section above

Kicking

Learning cues:

Stand behind the ball and slightly to one side. Keep eyes on the ball. Step forward placing non-kicking foot next to the ball. Swing kicking leg back, bent at knee, and bring through fast to contact ball. Hit ball on the shoelaces for a low ball, and with the inside of the foot for a ground ball. Follow-through in the direction of the target

Discovering

Developing

Consolidating

Activities in this phase focus on exploration of kicking a variety of stationary balls, kicking at large targets, and tapping or controlling a ball along the ground. Children at this phase find it difficult to make contact with the ball. Characteristics of striking with the feet and trapping for the discovering phase are listed below:

Striking with the feet

  • movements are stiff, the trunk remains erect

  • backswing of the kicking leg is limited

  • there is very little follow-through

  • pushing rather than striking action is displayed

  • contact with the ball is inconsistent

Trapping

  • children have difficulty in getting in line with the object

  • the body is stiff and there is no ‘give’ with the ball as it makes contact

The focus of learning in this phase is on practising kicking a variety of balls (stationary and moving) with different parts of the foot, at various speeds and directions and developing accuracy and distance. Characteristics:

Striking with the feet

  • kicking leg tends to remain bent throughout action

  • follow-through is limited to forward movement of the knee

  • steps are taken towards the ball

Trapping

  • movements lack fluidity, and are poorly timed and sequenced

  • eyes don’t track the ball

  • children ‘give’ with the ball and can trap a rolled ball

     

Children in this phase enjoy applying their striking skills to more unpredictable situations. Combining striking skills with dodging, running and strategy provides the focus for learning in this phase. Characteristics are listed below:

Striking with the feet

  • approach to the ball is from a run or a leap

  • leg swing is longer, the kicking action is initiated at the hip

  • trunk bends at the waist with a slight lean backwards

  • follow-through is high and in the direction of the path of the ball

Trapping

  • eyes track the ball

  • body ‘gives’ on contact

  • children can trap objects approaching from a variety of levels and at various angles and speeds

     

Striking

Learning cues (Volleying with the hands)

Keep eyes on the ball. Position body directly underneath and in line with the ball. Strike the ball by extending the arms and legs.

Striking surface should be flat – like a pancake. Follow through in the direction the ball is to go.

Discovering

Developing

Consolidating

Children in this phase find it difficult to contact the ball in one motion, and need to explore striking a variety of lightweight objects that are easy to track and strike. Characteristics of this phase are described below:

 

  • children find it difficult to track or judge the path of the ball/balloon

  • they find it difficult to move underneath the line of the ball

  • they tend to slap the ball on contact

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

Children in this phase are able to consistently control the direction as well as the force of the strike. Activities in this phase focus on practising striking in a range of contexts, working with a partner or striking a ball after it rebounds from a wall. Characteristics of this phase are described below:

  • children still find it difficult to track the ball

  • they move to the line of the ball

  • the striking action is mainly from the arms and hands, with little follow-through

  • from the legs

  • they have little control over the direction of the flight of the ball

Children in this phase can control the ball with consistency in more unpredictable environments. They are able to judge the flight path of the ball, and position their body to hit the ball and to pass accurately. Characteristics of performance in this phase are described below.

 

  • children move consistently underneath and to the line of the ball

  • good contact with fingertips or hand

  • effective use of extension of legs and arms – force summation

  • control the direction of the flight of the ball

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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