Year 3 Rounders Lesson 1

Purpose: This activity introduces children to key rounders fielding positions and terminology in a fun, active way.

Set-Up: Children move around within an appropriately sized area, avoiding others.

How to Play: Call out different rounders commands. Children must react quickly and perform the correct movement or body position.

• Long Barrier – Pupils’ have to make the correct long barrier position. One knee down, ensuring there is no gap between the foot and knee on the floor.
• Backstop – Bend your knees slightly and bring your hands together in front of your chest, ready to catch.
• Rounder! – Change direction quickly and show some form of acceleration as if they are attacking the bases.
• Overhead – Jump high and stretch your arms up as if catching a ball above your head.

Extension:

• Double Commands – Call two actions in a row, e.g. “Backstop then Overhead!”
• Trick Calls – Use a fake command to test listening skills

Look for: Quick reactions to commands. Performing the correct command. Refining actions and movements during the game. Enjoyment and enthusiasm.

Recap the movements from the starter activity and discuss how each action helps fielders during a game of rounders.

• Long Barrier – Used to stop a ball rolling along the ground
• Backstop – Used to stop or collect balls that travel behind the batter
• Attacking the Ball – Running quickly towards the ball to stop the batter scoring points
• Overhead Catch – Catching a ball that is hit high into the air

Explain that good fielders should always:

• Watch the batter closely
• Be aware of where the ball is
• Turn to face the ball as soon as it is hit
• Stay in a ready position so they can react quickly

Fielding Game Set-Up: Children play in groups of 4 using a small sponge or tennis ball, two cones and one hoop.

How to Play:

• One player is the batter, and the other three are fielders
• The batter throws the ball into the playing area, then runs between two cones to score points
• The fielders work together to collect the ball as quickly as possible
• Once collected, the ball must be placed or “stumped” inside the hoop to stop the batter running
• The ball must not be thrown into the hoop
• After 3 throws, players rotate roles

Look for: Fielders in a ready position before the throw. Eyes watching the batter and then the ball. Quick reactions and movement towards the ball. Correct long barrier technique for rolling balls. Attempts at controlled catching. Teamwork and communication between fielders. Quick and controlled stump into the hoop. Batter running quickly with agile turns and change of pace.

How to Play: Play 4 or 3 fielders vs 1 batter.

• The batter strikes the ball and runs to one of four marked scoring zones (use cones or throw down spots) before the fielders return the ball to the base.
• Each batter has 3–4 attempts before swapping roles.

Striking Options:

• Kick the ball (use a larger soft ball)
• Self-feed using a tennis racket or paddle bat
• Strike from a batting tee using a rounders or paddle bat

Easier: Throw or kick the ball instead of hitting it. Reduce the size of the playing area.

Harder: Introduce a bowler. Increase the size of the field. Award different points for each zone.

Look for: Safe use of bats at all times. Being ready in the field on toes, shoulders facing the batter. Quick reactions from fielders. Moving to the line of the ball. Using an appropriate way to attempt to stop the ball in the field, e.g. catch, long barrier or chasing etc. Accurate throws back to other fielders. Stumping the base, not throwing the ball into the hoop. Communication between fielders.