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

Fundamental Movement Skills · Lesson 3 of 6

Ready Hands Catching

Learning objective: To catch a ball with two hands from a partner's throw.

Success criteria

  • I can make a ready position with hands out and fingers spread.
  • I can watch the ball all the way into my hands.
  • I can catch with soft hands and pull the ball into my body.

Equipment

  • 30 soft balls of varied size
  • Balloons (latex-free) for warm-up
  • Cones

Organisation & set-up

Pairs facing each other 2 metres apart along cone lines.

PupilDefenderCone→ Movement / pass

Warm-up: Balloon Keepy-Up

6 mins
  1. Each pupil taps a balloon upward using different body parts.
  2. Count how many taps before it touches the floor.
  3. Swap to catch the balloon on 'freeze'.

Skill introduction & demonstration

5 mins

Demonstrate the ready position: feet apart, knees slightly bent, hands out in front, fingers spread like a basket. Watch the ball, reach, then pull it into the tummy.

Ready positionWatch the ballReach and grabPull in to the body

Skill development 1: Self-Feed

6 mins
  1. Throw the ball a little above head height and catch it.
  2. Add a clap before catching.
  3. Try catching after a bounce.

Skill development 2: Partner Catch

8 mins
  1. Partners throw underarm to each other.
  2. Catch with two hands; take a step back after five catches.
  3. Call 'high', 'middle' or 'low' and throw to that height.

Main activity: Catch and Count Circle

10 mins
  1. Groups of five in a circle.
  2. Throw across the circle and call the receiver's name.
  3. Count team catches in one minute; aim to beat the score.

Coaching points & teaching cues

  • Fingers spread like a basket
  • Eyes on the ball
  • Soft hands
  • Pull into the body

Common mistakes & corrections

  • Ball bounces out of hands: Give with the hands - 'soft hands'.
  • Pupil turns head away: Use a balloon or soft sensory ball to build confidence.
  • Hands too close together: Show a 'basket' with thumbs or little fingers touching.

Easier challenges

  • Use a balloon or large soft ball.
  • Partner drops the ball from a short height.

Harder challenges

  • Catch one-handed.
  • Catch a ball thrown slightly to the side.

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

  • How many catches out of ten?
  • Does the pupil watch the ball into their hands?

Plenary & reflection questions

  • What does a ready position look like?
  • Why do we pull the ball in?
  • When did you find catching hardest?