Instructions
An underarm throw is used to propel an object over a short distance accurately. It involves the transference of weight forwards as the straight-throwing arm swings through from the back to the front to release the object at hip height.
- Stand facing the direction of the throw
- Hold the object in the throwing hand
- Step forwards with the opposite foot to throwing arm
- Swing the throwing arm backwards and then forwards, keeping it extended and relaxed
- Release the ball in front of the body at approximately hip height
- Follow through in the direction of the throw, with the throwing hand pointing to the target
Safety
Ensure…
- children only throw when instructed
- a throw line and the target are clearly identified
Opportunity to develop
- Co-ordination
- Manipulative skills
- Spatial awareness
- Sending skills
- Accuracy
If you see
| Observation | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Object does not reach target | Releases the object too early and with little back swing of the arm. Does not step forward as object is released | Throw over obstacles. Practise stepping and swinging. Place markers on the floor to step forwards onto. |
| Object ‘pops’ up vertically in the air | Releases the object too late | Instruct child to release object when hand is pointing at target |
Can you see?
- the child’s eyes focused on the target?
- the child stepping forward onto the opposite foot to the throwing hand?
- the child taking their throwing arm back as they step forward?
- the child releasing the object in front of them at hip height?
- the child following through by pointing towards their target?
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Mostly No
- Throw a bean bag against a wall. Throw a bean bag to land on the floor.
- Throw at a large target; throw into practitioner’s hands in the ‘ready’ position.
- Use nursery rhymes to encourage the swing back and rock-step movement e.g. ‘See Saw Marjorie Daw’. Refer to a pendulum action.
- One child stands in front of the other. Child behind holds an object on the palm of their hand for the front person to reach behind, pick up and throw – in one continuous action.
- Throw large soft balls against a wall.
- Place coloured spots on the floor to encourage the child to step onto the opposite foot to the throwing hand.
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Yes and No
- Throw a bean bag against a target on the wall, e.g. spots, circles, squares, or to land in an area marked out on the floor, e.g. circle, square, roped area.
- Throw a beanbag for distance. Place ropes / chalk lines and encourage the child to throw beyond these.
- Throw a bean bag / ball to land on the other side of a target, e.g. poles across cones, net, bench.
- Throw large soft balls against a target on the wall, e.g. spots, circles, squares.
- Throw different sized, shaped and coloured objects and balls.
- Throw the ball to travel between hip and waist height. Throw ball through hoops or poles positioned at between hip and waist height.
-
Mostly Yes
- Throw for accuracy – ask the child to throw a bean bag into a hoop, box or area
- Throw a bean bag to hit a box or cone on the floor, or land in the box
- Throw a greater distance
- Throw a bean bag / ball over a greater height
- Throw a smaller ball at a target on the wall
- Throw to partner’s hands in the ‘ready’ position as they move within their garden
- Throw bean bags to land in hoops; introduce a simple scoring system
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Challenge
- Throw a ball accurately underarm to hit a target, standing on a line, on a beam, on a wobble spot
- Throw a ball accurately underarm to be caught by a partner by their knees, above their head, away from their body, close to their body
- Throw a ball underarm against a wall and catch one-handed
- Throw two balls underarm against the wall, use one hand then swap to use the other hand, catch one-handed with the non-throwing hand and then pass the ball to the throwing hand, juggling circuit – change throwing/catching hand
- Throw underarm using any combination of the above from a wobble spot, using a variety of balls
- Throw underarm using any combination from above using both hands alternately and a variety of balls
- Throw a ball in response to a range of cues, using both hands alternately
- Combine dribbling with hands, bouncing, catching, throwing and fast feet in response to a range of cues, following a range of pathways