Movement skills/concepts

Striking with a long implement (golf club) in different directions, at different speeds and towards a stationary target, relationships (with objects) and body awareness.

Set-up

Golf clubs, a variety of small light (foam or plastic) balls, hoops, a variety of objects for targets (targets suitable for wall include masking tape, chalk marks, and suspended hoops; possibilities for the ground include bins,  seats/chairs/trees,  playground equipment, and markings).

Children are spread out in a hard or grass area with a wall. If inside, have mats on the ground to protect the floor.

Activity

Children have a club each and a variety (about five) of small lightweight balls. They practice the following tasks:

• swing the club back and forth like a pendulum, scuffing the grass/mat – check there is no one behind you or in front of you
• stand approximately four giant steps away from a hoop, stand beside your ball and swing your club (pendulum motion) to see how many balls you can get into a hoop
• find a space approximately four giant steps away from a wall or fence, stand beside the wall/fence and strike the ball so that it travels to the wall/fence; if it comes back to you, stop it before you hit it again
• strike the ball to the wall, so that it goes along the ground, and then try to hit it in the air
• see how many times you can hit the range of targets on the wall, fence or ground

Variations

Vary skill and equipment: Strike the ball with feet/hand(s), softball/cricket bats or hockey sticks.