Video  Supports the beginners level

Beginners  Practice the underhand and overhand throwing action many times without a ball first. Then attempt the throws with a ball.

Intermediate  Encourage accuracy when throwing the ball.

Advanced  Increase the throwing distance to further challenge children who have had more experience with throwing. Have them aim for a target or throw to a partner.

Special Needs  All special needs children, sitting or standing or physically challenged can learn to throw a ball.

Demonstrate and explain the two different ways to throw a ball.

Emphasise that the focus of this activity is on the correct way to throw a ball and not on how to catch.

Underhand throw: Practice the arm moments several times before actually throwing the ball. The ball is held in front of the body with relaxed arms. Encourage the children to look where they are throwing and to do a slow controlled throw in an upward, forward direction. The hands are situated under and slightly behind the ball. For beginner level this is a safer and slower throw.

Overhand throw: Practice the arm moments several times before actually throwing the ball. The ball must be held above or behind the head with bent arms, the arms move in an upward, forward direction when throwing.  The overhand or overhead throw generates more speed than the underhand throw, which makes catching more challenging. This throw is best used to gain height or distance.

The arm movements determine the force and direction of the throw.

It is important the eyes look where the ball needs to be thrown.

When practicing the throws, the ball can be thrown through a hoop, at a wall or to an adult.

To prevent accidents have the children take their turn only when given the instruction to do so. This will also encourage better focus from the children and more accurate throwing.

Beginners  The children can stand approximately half a meter away from the first hoop. Encourage the children to look at the point where they want to throw.

Intermediate  Increase the distance if the targets are easily achieved.

Advanced  The children can throw the beanbag with their non-dominant hand. Increase the throwing distance if targets are easily achieved.

Special Needs  All special needs can successfully achieve this activity. Be sure to place the hoops at an achievable distance.

Each group needs three hoops, three beanbags and a marker.

Divide the children into groups according to the number of hoops you have.

Have three hoops in a row, touching, on the floor in front of each group of children. Have the marker or place mat approximately one meter away from the first hoop.

Have the children stand in lines, one behind the other, in front of each row of hoops.

The first child stands on a marker or place mat holding one of the three beanbags.

Using the underhand throw, a beanbag is thrown into each hoop, starting with the nearest hoop.

Encourage the children to keep their eyes on the hoop they are aiming for and to swing their arm in a relaxed way.

Give an example of the intensity needed for the throws by showing an example of a “too gentle”, a “too hard” and then a “just right” throw.

If you have three different color hoops and the same color beanbags, then the same color beanbag can be thrown into the corresponding hoop.  

When each child has thrown all three beanbags, they can collect them and give them to the next child in line.

Younger children could sit while waiting for their turn to ease restlessness.

Keep some distance between the first and second child so that the throwing arm does not hit the child next in line.

Beginners  To begin with, have the target at an achievable height and the throwing distance fairly close.

Intermediate  Increase the throwing distance.

Advanced  Vary the height of the target.

Special Needs  All special needs can achieve this activity. The closer a child is to the target, the lower the target needs to be.

In advance prepare some targets that can be placed on the wall approximately two meters high. The targets can be colored sheets of paper or hand-drawn targets.

Show an example of throwing a ball to a target using the underhand throw. Demonstrate a “too soft”, a “too hard” and a correct throw to help the children understand the force needed for the throw.

Divide the children into groups according to how many targets and balls you have. A ball, a marker and a target are needed for each group.

Have the children stand in a line on or by a marker approximately two meters away from the wall and in line with a target.

The children take turns trying to hit the target with the ball using the underhand throw.

The focus is on throwing the ball accurately at the target. However, the ball will bounce back from the wall after hitting the target. Warn the children that this will happen so they are prepared to either catch it or push it away.

Large, bouncy balls are best for this activity.

If you do not have a wall to use for this activity the ball can be thrown through a hoop or any other safe target that can be held high by an adult.

For the overhand throw, be sure the children understand that the ball may bounce back off the wall with speed and they need to be ready to catch it.

Have the children wait for their turn two or three meters away so they do not get hit by the ball when it bounces off the wall.

Be sure there is nothing breakable on the wall where balls are being bounced.

Beginners  The children can stand approximately half a meter away from the first hoop. Encourage the children to look where they want to throw.

Intermediate  The children can throw the bean bag with their other hand as well.

Advanced  The children can throw the bean bag with their other hand as well as increase the throwing distance.

Special Needs  For wheelchair-bound children, a hoop can be rolled or thrown past them. This activity is possible for all special needs.

The children, each holding a beanbag, stand or sit in a line, one behind the other, at a ninety-degree angle three to five meters away from the adult.

The adult who has all the hoops nearby, rolls a hoop, one at a time, past the line of children.

The child with a turn stands on or by a marker with one leg forward and throws a beanbag through the hoop using the opposite hand as it passes in front of them.

If the child holds the beanbag with their right hand they should put their left leg forward. This encourages correct lateral movement and helps with balance and more accurate throwing.

If you are the only adult with a group of children it is best to have as many hoops as possible to enable continuous rolling. A wall that stops the hoops will make them easier to collect.

Say the name of each child before rolling the hoop to ensure they are ready for their turn and focused on throwing their beanbag at the right time.

When all the children in the line have had a turn they collect their beanbags and line up for another turn.

This activity can be done outdoors if you have a hard surface for rolling the hoops. A child can always assist with catching the hoops.

If outdoor play is not possible, roll the hoop down a passageway, have your child stand in a doorway and as the hoop comes past them they have to throw the bean bag through it. Quite a fun challenge don’t you think?

When positioning the groups for the activity, keep in mind the space needed for rolling the hoops and the distance the beanbags will cover when thrown through the hoops.

Avoid positioning the children where they may get hit by a rolling hoop or a beanbag.

Beginners  Have the children stand fairly close to begin with and let them have several chances, throwing one at a time.

Intermediate  Increase the throwing distance

Advanced  Have the children change places so they learn to throw from different angles. Children at the end of the line need to throw harder for example.

Special Needs  An activity for all special needs children and one that is enjoyable and beneficial in many ways.

Have the children stand next to each other in a line holding a beanbag. If you have a marker have them stand on or next to it or on a place mat.

The adult stands six to eight meters away from the children in one spot with feet together.

One by one, each child throws their beanbag underhand towards the adult’s feet.

Encourage the children to focus on the distance they need to cover with the throw and to think about how gently or powerfully they need to throw the beanbag for it to reach the target.

The one who tosses a beanbag closest to the adult’s feet is the winner.

The children can then collect their beanbags and return to their places only after everyone has had a turn. The children will enjoy this activity so repeat as time allows.

Be sure the children understand that they must throw the beanbag underhand.

Only use safe objects for throwing if you need to substitute beanbags for something else.

Video  Supports all levels

Beginners  Do gentle throws from as close as one and a half meters and increase the distance as confidence and ability improves. Do not try the overhand throw until the underhand throw is mastered.

Intermediate  Increase the distance for both throws as the children become more competent with throwing and catching.

Advanced  Encourage accuracy and speed with the overhand throw. Alternate the throws to practice focus and concentration. 

Special Needs  Throwing and catching can be down in a standing or seated position enabling all special needs to do the activity. Be sure the hands are held correctly when catching and to keep the eyes on the ball at all times.

Have the children stand next to each other in a line with half a meter of space between them.

Underhand throw:

Throw the ball using the underhand throw to each child. The child must catch the ball with two hands and then throw it back to the adult in the same way.

When throwing the child must look and aim the ball at the tummy area of the person who will catch the ball.

When catching the arms must be held in the correct catching position with elbows close to the tummy area, hands apart and eyes looking at the oncoming ball.

Overhand or overhead throw:

Throw the ball using the overhand throw to each child. The child must catch the ball with two hands and then throw it  back to the adult in the same way.

When throwing the child must look and aim the ball to the head area. 

When catching the arms must be held head height in front of the head area with the hands apart ready to catch the oncoming ball which will come quite quickly towards the hands if thrown correctly. 

Tips:

Say each child’s name to be ensure they are focused and ready to catch the ball.

Be sure the children stand with feet apart for the underhand throw to aid balance. For the overhand throw one leg can be forward to aid the force and direction of the throw.

If a child misses the catch more than twice move on to the next child.  Be sure to correct as well as encourage those who struggle.

Be sure the children keep a safe distance away from each other for this activity. Having them stand on markers will help them keep their places.