Underarm target throw
Ready when: Overarm throw (b3) done.
What you are learning
Aim and control: an underarm throw at targets at three distances, stepping forward with the opposite foot. It teaches how hard to throw for each distance, and the rules of a throwing area.
Words on this card Throwing line
- Throwing line
- The line a thrower stays behind.
Set up
3 hoops (or chalk circles) at 3, 5 and 7 m from a throwing line; 3 bean bags or rolled socks per child.
Weather: dry ground, nobody in the throwing direction
Show it first for the one teaching
- Face the hoop, a bean bag in your throwing hand.
- Swing the arm back and then through, low, like bowling a ball.
- Step forward with the opposite foot as the arm comes through.
- Let go gently toward the hoop.
Your part while they practise
Stand behind the thrower, check the field is clear, then say "throw"; fetch only when all have thrown, at a walk.
Step by step
- 3 bags at the near hoop.
- 3 bags at the middle hoop.
- 3 bags at the far hoop.
- Wait for everyone, then walk to collect.
How much: 9 bags a round, 4 rounds 10 min a session 2 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Hoop points
1 point for the near hoop, 2 and 3 for the others; the best total from 9 bags wins.
Who plays: 1 to 4, taking turns.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- Each player has 9 bags: 3 for each hoop, near to far
- Take turns, one bag each, on "throw"
- Collect at a walk only when everyone has thrown
- Fair play
- A younger player stands one step nearer.
- Points
- A bag in the near hoop scores 1, the middle hoop 2, the far hoop 3.
- Fouls
- No points for that bag
- Stepping over the line
- Throwing before "throw"
- An overarm throw
- Winning
- The highest total from 9 bags.
- 6 points for 1 star
- 10 points for 2 stars
- 14 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
The near hoop only.
Throw with the other hand.
What you will see, and what to say
- the bag flies over the hoop
Swing low, let go soft
A smaller swing for the near hoop. - the child steps with the same-side foot
Opposite foot steps forward
Right hand throws, left foot steps.
Self-check
2 of 3 bags land in each hoop, near to far.
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 accuracy, the step into the throw.
awiseathlete.com/sports/athletics/athletics-b8