1. Throwing and Catching Skills for a Variety of Diverse Learners
Brad Weiner, M. Ed., NBCT, CAPE
National Adapted Physical Education TOY 2013

2. Goal
By the end of the presentation, the audience will have a heightened level of understanding for the rationale behind developing a diverse environment and the developmental milestones for throwing and catching, in order to implement it into their classrooms.

3. Handball The class is split into two groups.
Each group places 5 people on the field
The rest of the team can choose a spot along the sideline to provide support
The players on the field are only allow 3 steps when they hold the ball.
If the ball hits the floor, it is turned over at that spot.
A goal is scored when a player catches a ball in their goal (behind the goal line)

4. Essential Components to Consider
Balance
Grasp and Release Skills
Proprioceptive Development
Body Awareness
Coordination (Unilateral and Bilateral)
Visual Tracking
Ability to Transfer Weight

5. The Key Idea
Mosston’s slanted line theory is the belief that all children have a right to participate in activities at their own ability level.
Children will not continue activities in which they are continually eliminated or wait to take turns.
Given opportunities, children will seek out challenges and take risks.
This is the essence to developing a diverse learning environment, along with having a clear knowledge base for progressions and development.

6. Dr. Muska Mosston’s Slanted Line Theory
Mosston will argue that developing an activity the presents one standard of achievement is counterproductive in the development of young people because you first eliminate the individuals who need the most practice time. This is considered the straight-line theory.
When the line is slanted, children have the opportunity to challenge themselves at a level that success can be achieved alongside peers working at a different level of success. The environment is comfortable and secure to seek out new challenges.
In this approach everyone participates at their own ability levels.

7. Throwing Cues: 2 – 3 years Infant /Pre-school
Look at target
Body faces target
Feet remain stationary
Ball thrown with forearm extension only
Resembles a pushing action
Follow through is forward and downward

8. Throwing 3 ½ - 4 Years (Pre-School)
Body faces target
Feet remain stationary
Ball thrown with forearm extension only
Arm is swung upward, sideward, and backward to a position of elbow flexion
Ball is held behind head
Slight Upper Body Rotation
Trunk rotates toward throwing side during preparatory action
Shoulder rotates toward throwing side

9. Throwing 4 – 5 Years (Pre-K / K)
Body faces target
Feet remain stationary
Ball thrown with forearm extension only
Slight Upper Body Rotation
Steps forward with the leg on the same side as the throwing arm
Definite forward shift of body weight

10. Throwing 5 – 6 Year Old (K -1st)
Body is side to target
Arm swung backward in preparation
Opposite elbow is raised for balance as preparatory action in the throwing arm
Trunk rotates to throwing side
Starts to weight shift to rear foot and step forward with opposite foot

11. Throwing 7 – 8 Year Olds (2nd – 3rd)
Stand side to target
Bring throwing arm way back so that your elbow is almost above your ear and your hand is behind your head
Upper Body Rotation with non-throwing elbow pointing to target
Step forward on the foot opposite the throwing hand
Follow Through (throwing arm following the ball, ending up close to your knee)

12. Throwing 9 – 10 Years Old (4th – 5th)
Use previous cues towards a smaller target and/or move the throwing distance further.
Work on accuracy while maintaining the technique

13. Throwing 11 – 13 Years Old (6th – 8th)
Use previous cues while engage in an authentic game situation with variables

14. Catching: 2 Year Olds Infant
Eyes to watch ball
Chases ball, doesn’t respond to aerial balls
Demonstrates a slower reaction time
Will stop ball rolled to midline from short distance

15. Catching: 2 – 3 years Infant /Pre-school
Looks at object
Responds to aerial ball with delayed arm movements
Needs to be told how to position arms
Is supported with a preparatory count down
Catches object propelled to midline using the basket catch with the body

16. Catching: 3 – 4 years Pre-school
Shows hands in preparation
Fears reaction (turns head away)
Stands in stationary position to catch a ball tossed to midline from 4 – 6 feet away
Uses basket catch using the body

17. Catching: 5 Year Olds Uses eyes to track object approaching midline
Will show more control and will lean to either side to attempt to catch an object outside of midline
Catches an object using the hands only with a 6 inch sized ball
Will toss and catch a ball to self

18. Catching: 6 Year Old (1st Grade)
Eyes track the ball
Arms are held relaxed to ball at sides, and forearms are held in front of body
Arms give to absorb the force of the ball
Body steps and weight shifts to the trajectory of the object
More efficient reaction time to catch the object
Will toss and catch an object with peers from a short distance of 4 feet

19. Catching: 7 – 8 Year Olds (2nd -3rd)
Begins to become more efficient with catching smaller objects with dominant hand
Will get under objects that are propelled high
Using the previous cues, catches objects in a stationary position from further distances
Using the previous cues, smoothly moves in the direction of the propelled object

20. Catching 9 – 10 Year Olds (4th – 5th )
Practice previous cues while catching various sized and shaped objects in movement

21. Catching: 11 – 13 Year Olds (6th – 8th)
Use previous cues while engage in an authentic game situation with variables