Introduction to Athletics

Lessons

Primary 4 · Physical Education

Introduction to Athletics

3 lessons

Lesson 3 of 3

Simple throwing skills

20 min

Let's begin

Long ago, young Rwandans practised throwing and aiming to become strong and skilful. Today, throwing is part of athletics.

Ishimwe wants to throw a ball all the way to the big tree at the end of the field. Is it all about strong arms? No! In this lesson you will learn how your legs, body and arm work together.

Throwing events in athletics

Athletes throw the javelin (a light spear), the discus (a flat disc) and the hammer (a heavy ball on a wire). They also put the shot, a heavy metal ball. The shot put has been in the modern Olympics since 1896, and long ago the "shot" was a stone. At school we learn the same movements safely, with light balls and bean bags.

Throw 1: the overarm throw (for distance)

Stand side-on to the target, with your throwing arm at the back.
Point your other arm at the target.
Step forward with the foot opposite your throwing arm. If you throw with your right hand, step with your left foot.
Bring your throwing arm over your shoulder with your elbow high, and let the ball go high and in front of you.
Follow through: let your arm keep swinging down across your body.

Throw 2: the push throw (like the shot put)

The shot is pushed, not thrown like a ball.

Hold the ball on your fingers and tuck it against your neck, under your chin. Keep your elbow up and out to the side.
Stand side-on and bend your back leg.
Push up and out with your legs, then straighten your arm fast to push the ball away. Use one hand only.

At school, use a small ball or a bean bag. You can make one from an old sock filled with sand and tied in a knot. Never use a stone.

Throw 3: the chest push

Hold a ball at your chest with both hands. Step forward and push it away with straight arms, finishing with your thumbs pointing down. This builds arm strength, and it is the same push you use to pass in basketball and handball.

Throwing safety rules

Throw only when the teacher says "Throw!"
Everyone else waits behind the thrower.
Nobody walks in the landing area during throwing.
Collect the balls only when the teacher says "Collect!" Walk to get them, and carry them back. Never throw them back.
Look before you throw, every time.

To measure throws, put sticks or cones at 5 m, 10 m and 15 m, and watch where the ball first touches the ground.

Tip

Point, step, throw, follow! Point at the target, step with the opposite foot, throw with a high elbow and follow through.

✦

Try it yourself

Think about each one first, then tap Show answer to check.

1

Ishimwe throws with his right hand. Which foot should he step forward with?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: His left foot, the opposite one. It gives him balance and power.

2

Is the shot thrown like a ball or pushed?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: Pushed, from the neck, with one hand.

3

When may you go and collect the balls?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: Only when the teacher says "Collect!"

4

Mutesi throws 8 m, 11 m and 9 m. Which is her best throw?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: 11 m, the longest.

5

Why do we use a bean bag instead of a stone at school?

Show answerHide answer

Answer: A stone is hard and heavy and could badly hurt someone. A bean bag trains the same movement safely.

Quick check

Put the steps of the overarm throw in order.

Tap the cards in the right order.

What you learned today

Athletics throwing events include the shot put, javelin, discus and hammer.
Overarm throw: point, step with the opposite foot, high elbow, follow through. The shot is pushed from the neck.
Throw only on the signal, wait behind the thrower, and collect only when the teacher says so.

Sources and credits

Facts adapted from Shot put, by Simple English Wikipedia contributors, Simple English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Simplified and adapted by Ganzaa.
Facts adapted from Athletics (sport), by Simple English Wikipedia contributors, Simple English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Simplified and adapted by Ganzaa.

The story, the throwing steps, the safety diagram and rules and the practice were written by Ganzaa.

This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

1Throwing events in athletics

2Throw 1: the overarm throw (for distance)

3Throw 2: the push throw (like the shot put)

4Throw 3: the chest push

5Throwing safety rules

Try it yourself

Throwing events in athletics

Throw 1: the overarm throw (for distance)

Throw 2: the push throw (like the shot put)

Throw 3: the chest push

Throwing safety rules