Game spotlight · Object Control Skills
Target Throw
Small-group stations
- Underarm throw
- Overarm throw
- Aiming
Small groups take turns throwing beanbags at targets set at different distances. Each target is worth more points the further away it is, so children choose their own challenge and see their accuracy improve.
- Players
- Groups of 3–4 per target
- Space
- Hall or yard
Equipment
- Beanbags
- Hoops
- Cones
- Buckets or boxes
Coach tips
- Cue the throw: eyes on the target, step forward with the opposite foot, follow through towards the hoop.
- Let children choose which hoop to aim for so everyone works at the right level of challenge.
- Keep groups small so waiting time stays short and every child gets lots of throws.
How to play
- 1
Set up one station per group: a throwing line marked with a cone and three hoops laid out at near, middle and far distances.
- 2
Give each group a set of beanbags. Children take turns, throwing two beanbags each from behind the line.
- 3
A beanbag that lands in the near hoop scores 1 point, the middle hoop 2 points and the far hoop 3 points.
- 4
The thrower collects their beanbags once everyone in the group has had a turn, then hands them on to the next player.
- 5
After a few rounds, groups rotate to the next station so everyone meets new distances and targets.
Ways to play it
- Easier
Use larger hoops, move them closer and allow underarm throws only.
- Harder
Swap hoops for buckets or boxes and add an overarm-only round.
- Team challenge
Groups add their scores together and try to beat their own total from the last round.