Safe throwing techniques in physical education

Physical Education trainee teachers recently returned to the University after completing their first school-based training placement. The students were provided with an innovative approach to the teaching and learning of throwing events within athletic activities.

The activities are designed specifically for indoor teaching focused on throwing balls, quoits, foam javelins, shuttlecocks, frisbees, foam discus, bean bags, shuttlecocks or hoops with pushing, pulling, swinging, slinging and heaving actions. These actions simulate the technical actions of throwing a shot, discus and javelin.

Typically, the teaching and learning of athletics in secondary schools takes place in terms five and six of the academic year between April and July. This can be a time when the weather in the UK can be particularly unpredictable and physical education teachers often have to adapt and modify outdoor lessons for an indoor environment such as a sports hall or gymnasium.

Many young children cannot master the complicated throwing actions associated with athletic activities so PE teachers must ensure that all pupils are included and have a positive learning experience in track and field athletics in a safe learning environment. Recently the issue of health and safety in athletics has been under scrutiny. One PE teacher teaching thirty pupils the shot, discus and javelin using equipment designed for competitive athletes comes with inherent risks and to pupil’s safety and is potentially dangerous

PGCE and School Direct Physical Education route leader Dr Gary Stidder said: “The teaching of throwing events in athletics activities should be taught developmentally.

“The aim of teaching indoor athletics is to link basic fundamental movements skills to the general principals of throwing so that all children can learn and succeed in using modified and adapted activities and equipment at the secondary school stage in a safe environment. This provides the foundations and scaffolding before pupils are taught specific performance-related events.”