1. Connect – completing cooperative tasks by communicating clearly with a partner
2. Acquire a new skill – learn new ball tricks
3. Mindfulness – learn to narrow the focus to improve the clarity of mind

1. Connect – I can complete tasks by communicating clearly with my partner
2. Acquire a new skill – I can move the ball in lots of different ways
3. Mindfulness – I can narrow my focus to improve the clarity of my mind

• Engage in cooperative activities
• Master Basic movements like throwing and catching
• Develop coordination

L Describe what hand-eye coordination is

N Count in multiples of 2

Each child needs to have a ball to themselves.  Explain that they will move about the space performing different tricks with their ball (see videos).

Show each trick and give the children a chance to practise first.  Spend several minutes on each skill.

Once they have had a chance to practise, explain that they are free to move about the space carrying their object.

When instructed, they need to stop and perform any trick they have learnt or maybe a different trick they create.  Reinforce that they must always be in control of the ball.

Development: Stop the children and each time do the same skill for 3 or 4 goes.  Once this skill has been consolidated, move onto the next.

Extension:  Can children develop any of their own ball skills to perform?

Pass the parcel – Give half of the class a small object to throw (e.g., tennis ball, beanbag).  Explain that they are going to run about the space.  When they hear a command (a whistle or a shout), a child holding a ball must find a child without equipment to ‘Pass the Parcel with’.  This involves them standing opposite each other about 1 metre apart and throwing the ball for the partner to catch.  Once thrown and caught, they carry on running about the space.

Development: Change the equipment to make catching easier.  Stand closer.  Try rolling and sliding the equipment.

Extension: Increase the number of throws to Pass the Parcel (make sure it is an odd number to swap over who carries the object).  Change the equipment, e.g. different-sized balls.

Pairs throwing – see supporting video

1. Get children into pairs stood opposite each other roughly 1m apart.  Each child needs a small object that can be thrown and caught in one hand, e.g. tennis ball or beanbag.
2. Both children must start with the object in their right hand, held down by their side.
3. When both children are ready, they should use an underarm throw to throw their object to their partner AT THE SAME TIME.  They should then try to catch the object thrown by their partner in their left hand.
4. Repeat from stage 1, but the object is thrown in the left hand and caught in the right hand.
5. Children should then repeat these stages, so the objects are being thrown repeatedly.

NB Explain to children that hand-eye coordination is where their eyes and hands coordinate simultaneously to complete a task, such as catching a ball, throwing a ball, or reaching to pick something up.

Development: Use a 2-handed catch to start to get the feel of throwing and catching.  Try rolling or sliding instead of throwing.

Challenge: Increase the distance between the pairs when throwing.  Ask the children to count in 2’s every time they catch a thrown object.

Extension: Encourage a pair to perform continuous throws and catches without pausing in between

Cyclical Breathing

Children should find space to lie down on their backs and place a beanbag on their chest or the upper part of their tummy.

• Explain to the children it needs to be a tranquil and calm environment to allow everybody to focus their minds. Instruct the children that you will do three counts of four quietly and calmly.
• During the first count of four, they should slowly breathe in. During the second count of four, they should hold their breath. On the final count of four, they should breathe out.
• Tell the children that their focus should be on the beanbag on their chest during the breathing exercise. They should watch it rise, stay still and then fall with each breath and notice how it mirrors their chest when breathing. Repeat this as many times as you like.

to improve hand-eye co-ordination through ball skills

Pairs Throwing Activity

• Using an underarm throw, the object should travel in an arc shape to the intended target.
• Eyes should be focused on the object being received rather than the one being thrown.
• Partners should communicate with a clear countdown so that they are throwing at the same time and should try to receive the object at the same time.

1. Why is it important that both balls are thrown simultaneously?
2. What is hand-eye coordination?
3. How do you think doing mindful breathing regularly might benefit you?