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Athletics · Basic · b3

Overarm throw

Park or court 8 min 2 players Park, ground or field

Ready when: Run, stop and change direction (b1) done.

Start a session

What you are learning

Two throws: underarm for aim, and overarm for distance. The overarm throw is side-on, arm up with the elbow bent, letting go just past the head; it is the base of the javelin. And the throwing rules: throw one way, wait behind the line, fetch at a walk.

Words on this card Shot put, Javelin, Throwing line, Side-on
Shot put
Pushing a heavy ball from the neck, not throwing it.
Javelin
A throwing spear. Children use foam ones.
Throwing line
The line a thrower stays behind.
Side-on
Standing with a shoulder, not the chest, toward where you aim.

Set up

A throwing line, a landing area marked with cones in three colours (1, 2 and 3 points). Bean bag, foam javelin or a rolled sock.

Weather: dry ground

The base setup for athletics

Show it first for the one teaching

  1. Underarm: face the hoop, swing the arm back and through, step forward with the opposite foot and let go toward the hoop.
  2. Overarm: stand side-on, the shoulder of your other arm pointing at the cones.
  3. Throwing hand up by the ear, elbow bent.
  4. Step forward and throw, letting go just past your head.

Your part while they practise

Be the retriever; walk to collect while the thrower waits behind the line.

Step by step

  1. 10 underarm throws into a hoop, stepping into each throw.
  2. 10 overarm throws for distance, side-on, arm up, elbow bent.
  3. Score each throw by the cone row nearest where it landed.
  4. Wait behind the line; collect together, at a walk.

How much: 10 underarm and 10 overarm throws 8 min a session 3 days a week

Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.

The game: Three hoops

Hoops at three distances score 1, 2 and 3 points; the best total from 10 throws wins.

Who plays: 2 or more, taking turns.

How to play, turn by turn
Turns
  1. Put three hoops at three distances in front of the throwing line
  2. Take turns: one overarm throw each, from behind the line
  3. When everyone has thrown, walk out together to collect
  4. 10 throws each
Fair play
The grown-up throws with the other hand.
Points
In the near hoop 1 point, the middle hoop 2, the far hoop 3.
Fouls
No points for that throw
  • Stepping over the line
  • Throwing before the area is clear
  • Walking out before everyone has thrown
Winning
The highest total after 10 throws each.
Stars
  1. 8 points for 1 star
  2. 14 points for 2 stars
  3. 20 points for 3 stars

Easier or harder

Easier

A lighter object, a closer target.

Harder

Throw with the weaker hand or from one step.

What you will see, and what to say

  • the throw goes straight up Aim at the far coneLook at the target and throw toward it, not at the sky.
  • the child faces the target square on Side on, then throwShoulder to the target first, then turn as you throw.
  • someone walks out early Wait behind the lineEveryone fetches together, after the last throw.

Self-check

6of 10

6 of 10 throws land past the first cone row.

Stop and get a coach when

Pain in the shoulder or elbow.

Fitness for this

Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.

This card trains throwing, coordination.

awiseathlete.com/sports/athletics/athletics-b3