Flying Target

Skill: Catch, Throw
Time Required: 15
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs, 13+ yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Ensure the groups are not close to each other and are not standing in a throwing lane of another team.
Remind participants to hit the target when it is between the thrower and catcher.
Remind participants to always be prepared to catch the ball.
Equipment: Throwing Balls (tennis balls, footballs, foam balls, beanbags)
Targets (beachballs, foam balls, frisbees etc...)
Objective:
For participants to practice their throwing and aim. Participants will throw the designated ball at the target while it's in the air.
Other Skills:
Coordination
Set up:
Divide participants into groups of 5-7 participants.
Spread the groups out in the playing area. ensure one group is not standing behind another group.
Have the designated balls and targets for the groups. Using beach balls as the targets and foam balls as the object to throw would be idea for younger participants. Make the target object smaller and faster in the air for older and more skilled participants (such as a frisbee or foam ball).
Step by Step:
1. Each group will select two participants to start as the target throwers and catchers.
2. The other participants are going to be throwing the balls at the target.
3. The target thrower and catcher will stand around 15 feet away from each other, and one of them will have the target.
4. The participants that are throwing the balls will stand in the centre of the two throwers and back about 8-10 feet.
5. Each participant will have the designated ball to throw at the targets.
6. The target thrower with the target will throw it in the air to the catcher.
7. As the target is high in the air, the first participant in line will throw their ball at the target, trying to hit it in mid air.
8. Participants can only throw the ball in between the two participants, they cannot throw it towards the thrower or catcher.
9. Whether the participant hit the target or not, they will not go get their ball.
10. The catcher will either catch, or pick up the target if it was hit. Then they will throw the ball to the original thrower, and the next participant will attempt to hit the target.
11. After all participants have thrown their ball, they all go retrieve them.
12. One participant can throw three times in a row, then collects the three balls and brings them to the next participant in line
13. Switch roles after each participant gets at least two throws.
14. Change the target and the ball being thrown (see equipment for list of targets and balls).
15. Have a competition between each group. The group that hits the target the most wins. Or have a competition within the group. The participant that hits the target the most wins.
Variations:
Have participants pass a soccer ball to each other, and the other participants have to either kick a soccer ball, or roll a tennis ball or foam ball at the soccer ball.
Have the participants throwing the objects at the target stand on both sides of the thrower and catcher. One participant throws from one side, and then a participant from the other side will collect that ball and throw it next.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.