by Neetu | Jun 3, 2020 | Fitness Activity
Movement skills/concepts
Striking a stationary ball with a long implement (hockey stick, cricket bat, softball bat off the tee, golf club), into open space, varying distance, and direction.
Set-up
- Choice of long implement (softball bat, cricket bat, golf club, hockey stick), cones or markers, choice of small ball, and a bin.
- A diamond set out with the tee as a home base and three markers as the others. A container with three balls in it besides the tee.
Activity
The batter strikes the three balls in quick succession in front of the line, then runs around the bases until all three balls are back in the bucket. Each base passed counts as one point. Meanwhile, the fielders return the balls to the bucket as quickly as possible and call ‘Stop’ when all balls are returned.
- relaxed grip and swing
- swing through the center of the ball
- standing side on
- following through
Variations
Softball: As skill develops, batters may toss the ball up and hit it, or hit a slow- pitched ball.
Cricket/hockey: Batters may hit an underarm roll or a bowled ball.
by Neetu | Jun 3, 2020 | Fitness Activity
Movement skills/concepts
Striking for distance with a long implement (softball hit off the tee, hockey or cricket hit off a low tee), receiving a ball and space awareness.
Set-up
- Tees, balls and bats, markers.
- In a large grass area, two parallel lines have markers on each end and each line has a tee in the center.
- Two teams of four: each team is spaced between the markers along one line.
Activity
Each team in turn tries to hit the ball across the opponents’ line between the markers. Opponents attempt to stop or field the ball. A point is scored if the ball crosses the opponents’ line between the two markers. The ball must hit the ground between the lines. Hits are alternated between teams.
- stepping in to hit the ball
- relaxed swing for hitting off the tee
Variations
Vary skill and equipment: Try striking with the feet (e.g. kicking a ground ball).
by Neetu | Jun 3, 2020 | Fitness Activity
Movement skills/concepts
Striking (forehand and backhand), receiving a ball and relationships (with objects and others).
Set-up
- Bat or racquet, small ball.
- Children in pairs, with a racquet/bat each and one ball, face a wall with a line on it that is 1 metre high. They stand behind a line that is 1 metre from the wall (marking the ‘no volley’ zone).
Activity
The object of the game is to hit the ball against the wall, above the line, so your opponent is unable to return it. Partners alternate hits and the ball may be returned either after one bounce or before the bounce. No one can enter the ‘no volley’ zone to hit the ball.
- moving feet to get into receiving position
- eyes on the ball
- following through
Variations
Vary the rules: In a cooperative activity, try to keep the rally going for as long
as possible. In a competitive activity, try to make it hard for the partner to return the ball. A point is scored if the partner misses the return. Points scored only when you serve.
by Neetu | Jun 3, 2020 | Fitness Activity
Movement skills/concepts
Striking a moving ball with a short implement (racquet/bat), space, and body awareness.
Set-up
- Racquets/bats, small balls.
- Group of six: three players at each end of a court with a net.
Activity
The first player serves, then runs around the outside of the court to wait at the other end. The player who receives the ball hits it, then runs to the other end. How many hits can you do before someone makes an error?
- side on to hit
- full backswing and following through
Variations
Vary equipment: Use a shuttlecock, play on a table tennis table.
Vary rules: A player can take two hits before moving to the other end.
Vary skill: Strike with the hand(s).
by Neetu | Jun 3, 2020 | Fitness Activity
Movement skills/concepts
Underhand serve/strike with a short implement (bat/racquet) to target, and receiving a ball.
Set-up
- Racquets/bats, balls.
- A large square in a hard area is divided into four, with a semicircle in one corner (square 1) as a service area.
- Each group of five–six has a player with a bat/racquet at each square; the other players are waiting.
Activity
The player at square 1 drops the ball in the service area and hits to any other square. The next player lets it bounce and hits to any square. When a ball misses a square, the player who hit it gives their racquet to the next waiting player, who joins in at square 4 while the other participating players move towards square 1 to fill the gap. The player at square 1 then serves.
The ball must be hit upwards at all times.
- side on to hit
- eyes on ball
- repositioning with every hit
Variations
Vary area and equipment: Divide the square with four benches to act as nets, and increase the size of the squares.
Introduce umpire: Use a waiting player as an umpire.
Vary skill: Strike with the hand(s).
