Chapter 25
Throwing and Catching
Chapter 25 Key Points
Throwing and Catching

The skills of throwing and catching go hand in hand

Teachers must initially focus on throwing and catching as
separate skills

Later the skills are combined into more game-like
situations
Chapter 25 Key Points
Throwing

A basic movement performed to propel an object away
from the body

Basic pattern consists of:
1) grasping the object with one or both hands
2) the preparatory phase
3) the propulsive phase
4) the follow-through phase

A wide range of throwing abilities are found within an
elementary class

Observe and assess each child’s skill level

Design instructional tasks accordingly
Chapter 25 Key Points
Catching

Is receiving and controlling of an object by the body or its
parts

Initial catching reaction in young child is to:
1.
Fend object off
2.
Use body (i.e. the chest) to help trap the ball as
arms surround it

Wide range of catching abilities in the elementary class

Using soft textured objects during catching
tasks, assess students’ developmental
characteristics

Then plan appropriate instructional tasks
accordingly
Chapter 25 Key Points
Teaching Throwing and Catching
Precontrol Level Tasks
 Children at precontrol of catching are usually also at
precontrol of throwing
 Provide multitude of experiences in both skills.
 Teach throwing first (in static)
 For catching, focus on child catching throws made
directly to him/her.
Chapter 25 Key Points
Teaching Throwing and Catching (cont)
Control Level Tasks
 Provide throwing experiences in relatively static contexts
e.g.
• Different speeds
• Different distances
• Over/under
• At various targets
 Provide catching experiences
• Using both hands on either side of body
• At different levels
Chapter 25 Key Points
Teaching Throwing and Catching (cont)
Utilization Level Tasks

Since throwing can be done smoothly in various static
situations, introduce tasks in dynamic e.g.

Throw whilst traveling

Throw accurately at moving targets

Jump to throw

Since catching can be done consistently in static,
introduce unpredictable, dynamic tasks, e.g.

Catch whilst moving in relationship to various
objects and/or people.
Chapter 25 Key Points
Teaching Throwing and Catching (cont)
Proficiency Level Tasks
– At this level children can throw and catch in complex
game like experiences entailing:
• Unpredictable and dynamic contexts
• Different relationships to an opponent
• Rapid changes in speed, directions and levels
Chapter 25 Key Points
Teaching Throwing and Catching (cont)
Activities found in text

Identifies Tasks
Identifies Challenges

Assessment ideas found throughout chapter
Progression Spiral for Developing the Skill Theme of
Throwing and Catching
• PROFICIENCY LEVEL
Playing passball
Playing team handball (modified)
Playing four-person football
Playing Frisbee football
Playing half-court basketball (modified)
Playing Hit the Pin
Playing Keep Away
Throwing to avoid a defender
Running the bases
Playing Frisbee Stretch
• UTILIZATION LEVEL
Throwing while in the air
Catching to throw quickly to a target
Catching to throw quickly to a partner
Playing Frisbee Golf
Target backaway
Throwing for distance and accuracy
Throwing to a moving target
Throwing to make a partner move to catch
Throwing on the move
Throwing and catching while traveling
Moving to catch
• CONTROL LEVEL
Bench Bounce Catch
Throwing and catching over a net with a partner
Throwing and catching with a partner
Throwing for distance
Throwing a ball against a wall and catching the rebound
Catching with a scoop
Throwing a Frisbee
Throwing backhand to a target
Throwing to high targets
Throwing underhand to hoops
Bowling for targets
Hit the Can
Throwing overhand at a stationary target
Catching in different places around the body
Throwing an object to different levels and catching it
Bouncing a ball to self and catching it