Rounders Activity Guide
Activity Overview
Rounders in Key Stage 2 Primary PE introduces pupils to striking, fielding and tactical decision-making through a simple bat-and-ball game that is easy to organise and adapt. Early lessons often focus on safe striking technique, accurate throwing and catching, and understanding how to run between bases. As pupils progress through the key stage, they begin to develop more controlled batting, quicker decision-making when running, and improved fielding skills such as backing up teammates and stopping the ball effectively. Common KS2 activities include striking off a tee, throwing-and-catching circuits, fielding drills, and small-sided rounders games that allow pupils to apply skills in realistic but manageable situations.
Below you’ll find key information on Rounders, free KS2 lesson plans, and a range of resources suitable for teaching Rounders confidently throughout Key Stage 2.
Key Rounders Information
Age Range
Rounders is taught to children in Key Stages 1 and 2 through our Hit Catch Run and Rounders units.
❌ Foundation/Reception
✅ Key Stage 1
✅ Key Stage 2
Rounders Rules
Our rounders rules guide is a comprehensive list of the rules of rounders, as played by Primary school aged children in Key Stage 2. To aid printing we've made this available as a downloadable PDF file.
Rounders Glossary
Our rounders glossary provides a comprehensive guide to the naming conventions and terms used in Primary PE / KS2 Rounders. This glossary is available as a downloadable PDF file.
Free Rounders Lesson Plan & Unit of Work
Year 3 Rounders
To be able to play simple rounders games. Apply some rules to games and develop and use simple rounders skills.
Year 3 Rounders Lesson 1
- Hit a stationary ball into space
- Get into the best body position to field a ball
- Retrieve and throw the ball as a fielder
We are learning: to get into the best body position to field a ball Activity: Assessment for Learning Task
Paid Subscriber Content
At the The PE Hub, we offer 24 lesson plans for Rounders, covering the whole of Key Stage 2. Lesson Plans are grouped into manageable units of work and designed to make it straightforward to teach rounders across Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.
All our lesson plans come with detailed downloadable resources as standard. We have 30 individual teaching resources specifically for rounders available to paid subscribers to The PE Hub
Rounders FAQs
Is rounders part of the primary PE national curriculum?
Rounders is cited in the Key Stage 2 national curriculum as an example of a suitable activity for teaching competitive games. As with the other cited examples (netball, hockey etc) teaching rounders isn't mandatory, but it is commonly used at Key Stage 2 to meet the requirement for competitive games. It allows pupils to develop striking and fielding skills, apply simple tactics, and work as a team in a structured game setting.
What skills should pupils learn in KS2 rounders?
KS2 pupils typically learn safe striking technique, throwing and catching with accuracy, running between bases and basic decision-making when batting or fielding. As pupils progress, they begin to judge when to run, how to place the ball, and how to support teammates in the field.
How can rounders be adapted for primary school pupils?
Rounders can be adapted by using larger or softer balls, batting from a tee, reducing pitch size and limiting the number of fielders involved. These adaptations help keep the game inclusive, improve success rates and support skill development for all pupils.
What equipment do I need to teach primary PE rounders?
A basic rounders setup includes rounders bats, balls (often softer training balls), posts or markers for bases, cones and bibs. Full pitches are not required as most KS2 rounders lessons can be delivered safely on school fields or playgrounds using adapted layouts.
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