PEVOLVE
← Throwing & Catching Foundations
FreeKS1Year 1, Year 240 mins

Fundamental Movement Skills · Lesson 2 of 6

Underarm Target Throw

Learning objective: To throw underarm accurately at a target.

Success criteria

  • I can swing my arm back and through like a pendulum.
  • I can step with my opposite foot towards the target.
  • I can hit a hoop target from 3 metres three times out of five.

Equipment

  • 30 soft balls or beanbags (one per pupil)
  • 15 hoops
  • 20 cones
  • Large targets (skittles or buckets)

Organisation & set-up

Spread hoops on the floor in rows. Each pair has one hoop and two beanbags. Throwing line 2-3 metres from the hoop.

PupilDefenderCone→ Movement / pass

Warm-up: Beanbag Balance

6 mins
  1. Pupils move with a beanbag balanced on a body part.
  2. On the signal, swap the body part (head, shoulder, back of hand).
  3. Finish passing the beanbag around the body.

Skill introduction & demonstration

5 mins

Demonstrate the underarm throw: eyes on target, swing arm back, step forward with opposite foot, release at waist height, finish with hand pointing at target.

Eyes on targetSwing backStep and releasePoint at the target

Skill development 1: Hoop Hits

8 mins
  1. Throw beanbags into the hoop from the line.
  2. After three hits, take one step back.
  3. Partner counts and gives one tip.

Skill development 2: Colour Targets

6 mins
  1. Use three hoops at different distances worth 1, 2 and 3 points.
  2. Pupils choose their challenge.
  3. Record personal best score.

Main activity: Clean Your Garden

10 mins
  1. Two teams in halves of the area separated by a line of cones.
  2. Each team throws beanbags underarm into the other team's 'garden'.
  3. On the stop signal, count beanbags - the team with fewer wins.
  4. No throwing at people; underarm only.

Coaching points & teaching cues

  • Eyes on target
  • Opposite foot forward
  • Release at waist height
  • Follow through

Common mistakes & corrections

  • Throw goes too high: Release earlier, at waist height.
  • Same foot steps forward: Practise 'step-swing' without the beanbag first.
  • Throw lacks power: Swing further back before releasing.

Easier challenges

  • Move closer to the target; use a bigger target such as a mat.

Harder challenges

  • Throw at a smaller or moving target.
  • Throw with the non-dominant hand.

Inclusion & SEND adaptations

Adaptations

  • Use larger, softer or brighter balls (e.g. beanbags, balloons, sensory balls) for pupils who find tracking difficult.
  • Offer a seated or stationary version of each task; pair with a supportive peer.
  • Use visual cue cards and demonstrate rather than relying only on verbal instructions.

Maximising participation

  • Keep groups small (2-4) so every pupil has many turns.
  • Avoid elimination games; use points or personal bests instead.
  • Rotate roles (thrower, catcher, coach, scorer) so everyone has a purpose.

Assessment opportunities

  • Count hits out of five.
  • Watch for opposite-foot step.

Plenary & reflection questions

  • What helps you aim?
  • When do you let go of the beanbag?
  • How did your score change after your partner's tip?