Page 5 - Jim Stone Book

1. Provide a variety of objects to throw, so students learn how varying weight and diameter affects
throwing distance and speed.
2. When children are learning to throw, stress distance and velocity, not accuracy. Throwing for
accuracy hampers development of a mature throwing form. Tell students to “throw as hard and
far as possible.”

3. Avoid practicing throwing and catching at the same time. Many children’s throws will be
inaccurate and hard for a partner to catch. Have them practice throwing against a wall (velocity)
or on a large field (distance).
4. Use carpet squares or circles drawn on the floor to teach children proper foot movement
(stepping forward and off the square or out of the circle).
5. Beanbags are excellent for developing throwing velocity because they do not roll and travel as
far as other objects

Catching

Catching uses the hands to stop and control a moving object.
Catching is harder to learn than throwing, because children must
track the object while moving into its path. Children usually
develop mature throwing patterns before they display mature
catching patterns. Catching is also hard to master due to the fear
of being hurt by the oncoming object. When teaching the early
stages of catching, use foam balls or beach balls because they
move slowly, make tracking easier, and do not hurt if they hit a
child in the face.

1. It is natural to dodge an object that may cause harm. Remove the fear factor by using
projectiles that will not hurt children, such as foam balls.

2. Use smaller projectiles as students improve their catching skills. Larger objects move more
slowly and are easier to track visually.

3. Prepare students for a catch by asking them to focus on the ball while it is in the thrower’s
hand. Use verbal cues such as “Look (focus), ready (for the throw), catch (toss the ball).”

4. Balls and background colors should strongly contrast to increase visual perception.
5. Throwing the projectile at a greater height offers the child more opportunity to track it
successfully. Beach balls move slowly throughout a high trajectory, giving children time to focus
and move into the path of the oncoming object.

6. Bounce objects off the floor so children learn to judge the rebound angle of a projectile.

1
Dr. Robert Pangrazi

1 https://www.gophersport.com/blog/fundamental-tips-for-teaching-throwing-and-catching/