Throwing

Challenge Task: Partner Throw and Catch

Task Description:

Throw and catch an object with your hands with a partner 30 times in a row without a miss from a distance of 25 feet. Both catches and throws must be made behind the line. If the throw or catch is not made past the line or a throw is dropped the task must be started again. Each youngster will complete 15 throws and 15 catches for a total of 30.

Area:

• Youngsters must be 25 feet apart when they perform the task and distances must be clearly marked (i.e., with tape, rope, line in ground, etc.).
  
• Challenge can be attempted inside or outside.
• Underhand or overhand throws can be used 

Challenge Diagram:

Challenge Comments:

• Youngsters may choose to throw underhand or overhand.
• Youngsters can catch the ball in any way they prefer (e.g., one hand or two hands).
• Youngsters may NOT use a baseball or softball glove to complete this challenge.

Performance Cues:
Cues for the Overhand Throw:

• "Side to target": Point non-throwing side/shoulder to the target (i.e., if left handed thrower, point right shoulder/side towards target).
  
• "Arm way back": Throwing arm way back behind head.
  
• "Step": Step with your opposite foot towards target (i.e., if throwing with left hand, step towards target with your right foot).
  
• "Follow through": Follow through by letting your throwing arm come across the opposite side of your body.

Cues for the Underhand Throw:

• "Face the target": Belly button should be pointing to the target.
• "Step": Step with your opposite foot towards the target (i.e., if throwing with right hand, step towards target with your left foot)
• "Bowl the ball": Use a pendulum arm motion with the arm you are throwing with (i.e., like you are bowling).
• "Follow through": Follow through to the sky or ceiling with hand your throwing hand.

Catching Cues:

• "Track": Track the ball with your eyes all the way into your hands.
  
• "Reach": Reach arms towards ball.
  
• "Give": Give with ball as ball hits hands to make it a soft catch.
  
• "Pinkies and Thumbs": Pinkies together if ball is below waist. Thumbs together if ball is above waist.
  
• "Quick Feet": Move your feet quickly to get into position to catch the ball.

Practice Tasks:

• Have youngsters throw and catch with a partner so their partner doesn't have to move to catch the object thrown. To begin, start at a distance that is comfortable for them and their partner. Start with an underhand throw and then progress to the overhand throw.
• Throw a ball against a wall and catch the rebound. In order to perform this task youngsters need wall space. Make sure that the youngsters are spread out along the wall space. Carpet squares are helpful reminders for establishing personal space. At their carpet square, have youngsters throw the ball against the wall and catch it on the return.
• In their own personal space, have youngsters throw a beanbag (or other type of object) up in the air and catch it. Youngsters can be challenged during this task by throwing and catching the ball at a high, medium, and low level, throwing and catching the ball with opposite hands, or throwing the ball into space and moving to catch it.

Ideas Adapting Challenge for Students with Disabilities:

• Adjust distance between partners according to ability of student
• Use Velcro chest vest and Velcro ball
• Use foot launcher to launch ball 10 times
• Use beeper ball for visually impaired
• Use balls of different sizes or colors
• Use bounce passes
• teacher to student throw & catch, 10 to 19 ft, minimum 10 catches, ind. ball choice
• teacher to student throw & catch, 3 to 9 ft, minimum 10 catches, ind. ball choice
• teacher to student throw & catch, 3 to 9 ft, minimum ____ catches, ind. ball choice
• launch ball/beanbag chest high 5 times using foot launchers
• launch ball/ beanbag a self catch _____times out of ten
• catch/snatch scarf tossed by teacher ____times
• catch and push beach or bell ball 5 times rolled across ping pong table. (wheelchair pushed next to table's edge)

Jump That Rope

Challenge Task: Jump That Rope

Task Description:

Jump a single rope continuously (rope must remain in a constant turning motion) for 90 seconds without a miss.

Equipment:

• 1 jump rope and stopwatch.

Area:

• Any open space with a smooth surface.

Starting and Stopping:

• Youngsters start when ready. Anytime the rope stops moving before 90 seconds has elapsed, have the youngsters stop, and begin the task again (allow rest if needed).

Challenge Comments:

• There is no limit to the number of attempts to satisfactorily complete this challenge.
  
• Allow movement while jumping. Youngsters do not need to stay on the same spot to complete this challenge.
  
• Allow jumping of any style (forwards or backwards, one foot or two feet, switching feet, skipping, tricks, etc.), however the rope must pass under the youngster's feet.
  
• Make sure the jump rope chosen is not too long or too short. To determine the correct length of a jump rope for an individual step with both feet together on the middle of the rope. The rope handles should come up to the armpits.

Performance Cues:

• "Jump Low": High jumps will fatigue youngsters quickly.
  
• "Bounce": Keep knees bent and bounce off the balls of the feet.
  
• "Eyes & Nose": Look straight ahead and jump as the rope passes the nose.
  
• "Elbows In": Keep elbows close to side of body and turn rope with wrists instead of arms.

Practice Tasks:

• Have two youngsters get a long rope and gently swing it back and forth. A third youngster stands in the middle and practices jumping.
• Have children practice turning a single rope over their head, stop it at their feet, and then step over it. Encourage them to increase the speed as they fee more comfortable and, eventually, begin jumping.
• Have youngsters practice turning the rope by placing both handles in one hand and turning the rope at their side. This can help them practice the timing needed to jump over the rope successfully.

Ideas Adapting Challenge for Students with Disabilities:

• Have two people twirl rope while another student pushes a student in a wheelchair through the rope for 90 seconds
• For visually impaired students, have two students turn a rope with a bell attached. When the bell hits the floor, the student steps over the rope.
• Increase or decrease time if needed
• Place rope on floor and jump over continuously
• two ropes turning to side while jogging for one minute
• both handles of one rope held in left hand, both handles of one rope held in right hand, student turns ropes as if turning one rope, but no rope will pass under feet.
• two ropes turning to side while stationary for one minute
• one rope turning to side while jogging for one minute
• one rope turning to side while stationary for one minute
• jumping, hopping, jogging in place rhythmically for one minute
• self turning and stepping through large hoop 5 times.
• hold rope in different body planes as requested and modeled by teacher
• rhythmically recite jump rope rhyme