Overhand Throwing

Physical Education Lesson Plan

S: PE
T: Overhand Throwing
O: K: To practice correct form while throwing overhand.
1st: To practice hitting objects while throwing overhand using correct form.
P: Teacher explanation and demonstration.

1. Overhand Throwing

You should step forward with the foot opposite of your throwing hand. The amount of force you use relates to the distance you throw. Hold the ball with your thumb, index finger, and middle finger. The ball should be by your ear when you start your throw. Keep your elbow as high as your shoulder, even during your unwind. As you throw, point your elbow toward your partner and then snap your elbow and wrist as you let go of the ball. Your arm should follow through across your body after you let go of the ball.

2. Bowling Pins and Yarn Balls

Each student will get one bowling pin and one yarn ball. The bowling pin is set near a wall. The students should go about 10 steps away from the bowling pin. From that spot they practice throwing and trying to knock the bowling pins over.

3. Frisbees and Bean Bags

Each student will get one Frisbee and one bean bag. Lean the Frisbee up against the wall. The students should go about 10 steps away from the Frisbee. From that spot they practice throwing and trying to knock over the Frisbee.

4. Clean up the Environment

Playing area: Grassy field, blacktop, or gymnasium
Players: Entire class
Equipment: One spongy Nerf ball for each student (20-32 balls that should be the same size of a baseball or softball)
Skill: Overhand throwing

Divide the class in half for two teams. The preset boundary should be about the size of a basketball court. I have played this in the field using cones to show the middle divider. I have also played this on an outdoor volleyball court using the net (at tennis height) to show the middle.

One team is on one side, the other team on the other side. Their side is their town or community. Each student has one ball. The balls are to represent trash or litter. No one wants trash in their town.

When a teacher says “go”, all students start throwing trash over the middle boundary. All throws should be overhand throwing. Any “trash” they find, they need to pick up and throw over the divider as fast a possible. They are only to throw one ball at a time.

When the teacher blows the whistle, everyone should freeze. No one should throw any more balls. Each team gets together in a circle and counts how many pieces of “trash” their team has. Whoever has the most loses. The losing team should do 15 jumping jacks. Then start over again.