Striking/Fielding Tactical Problem #2

In a striking and fielding type game many tactical problems may arise. I will be focusing on a baseball or softball tactical problem of accurately catching and throwing a ball. The key to solving or improving this problem is to focus on different catching/throwing games and activities. Here are two games that I think are appropriate and useful for focusing on accurately catching and throwing a ball:



Tactical Problem: Accurately catching and throwing a ball

Game 1: JackPot - The object of this game is to throw and catch balls that are worth different amounts of points for each one. Setting up this game is simple, the only equipment needed is some sort of ball (e.g. a baseball or a tennis ball). The teacher or leader will be the first thrower with the rest of the kids spread out all over the field or gymnasium. The teacher will yell out an amount of points before he or she throws the ball underhanded into the air for the students to try and catch the ball. For example if the teacher yells "25 points", the player that catches the ball gets the "25 points" and becomes the new thrower. The first person to reach "500 points" wins. The thrower can also call "mystery ball" and if someone catches that ball the thrower will then award the catcher with an amount of points or with "bankrupt" which starts the catchers points back at zero. This game helps students develop and work on both their throwing and catching skills. A modification you would make is change the size of the ball, using some small and some big to change up the difficulty level.
In the diagram below realistically the students would be closer together and closer towards the thrower.

Game 2: Hot Potato - This game can be played with all sorts of objects (e.g., baseball, tennis ball, bean bag, etc.). Gather everyone standing into a circle except for the "caller". The "caller" closes his or hers eyes while the rest of the players throw and catch the ball or "hot potato". When the caller says "stop"whoever has the ball or "hot potato"steps out of the circle until the next game. The game is over when only one person is left. The sole remaining player becomes the "caller" for the next game. This game encourages the children to throw and catch the ball or "hot potato" as fast as they can while still being accurate. A modification you could add is incorporating more intensity and difficulty by allowing the students to throw anywhere in the circle instead of to their left or to their right.