B. Active Living / C. Movement Competence · Active Living and Movement: Motivated, Fit, Safe and Skilful

Sending and Receiving: Accurate Passes and Soft Catches

C1 A1.6 A1.4About 40 minutes

Learning goals

I can send objects accurately using different body parts and equipment: throwing, kicking and striking.
I can send to a partner who is moving by aiming ahead of them (a lead pass).
I can receive objects at different levels and speeds by watching, moving to them and giving with soft hands or feet.
I can choose the best way to send an object for the situation.

Words to know

send
To move an object away from you: throw, kick, strike, pass or roll it.

receive
To get control of an object coming toward you: catch it, trap it or stop it.

lead pass
A pass aimed at the space in front of a moving teammate, so they run onto it.

follow-through
Letting your arm, leg or equipment keep moving toward the target after you send.

absorb
To soak up the force of an object by letting your hands, feet or body give with it.

opposition
Stepping with the foot opposite to your throwing arm.

Remember from Grade 3

In Grade 3 you sent and received objects of different shapes and sizes, struck objects with a hand or paddle, and kept control of a ball while dribbling.

This year you will make your sends more accurate and powerful, pass to a moving partner, and catch or trap objects coming at different levels and speeds.

The four parts of a great send

Whether you throw, kick or strike, the same four parts help:

Ready: face your target, knees bent, eyes on the target.
Step: step toward the target with the foot opposite your throwing arm (this is called opposition). For a kick, plant your non-kicking foot beside the ball.
Swing: turn your hips and shoulders, then swing your arm, leg or equipment.
Follow through: keep moving toward the target after you let go or make contact.

Send	Key tips	When to use it
Overhand throw	Side-on to the target, arm back, step with the opposite foot, rotate, release, follow through across your body	Long distances, like throwing from the outfield
Underhand toss	Swing arm back, step with the opposite foot, release at waist height, follow through to the target	Short, gentle passes, like a beanbag toss
Chest pass	Ball at your chest, thumbs behind, step and push, thumbs finish pointing down	Quick, straight passes, like in basketball
Bounce pass	Push the ball so it bounces about two-thirds of the way to your partner	Passing around a defender's hands
Inside-foot pass	Plant foot beside the ball, kick with the inside of your foot, follow through to the target	Accurate passes along the ground in soccer
Forehand strike	Side-on, racquet or paddle back, step, swing level, follow through	Badminton, tennis, pickleball
Flying-disc backhand	Side-on, disc flat, reach across your body, step and flick your wrist	Ultimate or a game of catch at the park

Ways to send objects, how to do them, and when they work best.

Passing to a moving partner: the lead pass

If your partner is running, and you throw to where they are now, the ball will arrive behind them. Instead, aim at the space in front of them, where they will be. That is a lead pass.

Player B is running to the right. Player A passes to the X, the space ahead of B, so B runs onto the ball.

Receiving like a pro

Watch the object all the way into your hands or onto your foot.
Move your feet to get your body behind it.
Make a target with your hands: thumbs together for catches above your waist, pinkies together for catches below your waist.
Give: pull your hands (or foot) back as you catch to absorb the force. It's like catching an egg without breaking it.
For a ground pass in soccer, trap it with the inside of your foot and let your foot give a little.

Safety for sending and receiving

Use soft balls, beanbags or rolled socks indoors.
Check that the space is clear and your partner is ready before you send.
Never aim at anyone's head.
Keep racquets and paddles away from others when swinging. Give everyone an arm's length plus a racquet's length of space.
Play away from windows, roads and parked cars.

Worked example

Let's choose the best pass

In a game of keep-away, your teammate is 3 metres away and a defender is standing between you with hands up high. Which pass should you use?

Chest pass? It goes straight at the height of the defender's hands. Likely to be blocked.
Overhand lob? It goes up high and is slow, so the defender has time to move.
Bounce pass? It goes low, under the defender's hands, and bounces up to your teammate.
Aim: bounce it about two-thirds of the way to your teammate.

A bounce pass is best, because it travels under the defender's high hands.

A bounce pass travels low, under the defender's high hands and past their side. Bounce it about two-thirds of the way to your teammate.

Worked example

Let's fix a throw

Mia throws with her right arm. She faces the target, steps with her right foot and stops her arm as soon as she lets go. Her throws are weak and go off to the side. Fix it.

Stance: turn side-on, with her left shoulder pointing at the target.
Step: step with her left foot (opposite her throwing arm). This lets her hips and shoulders turn.
Swing: bring her arm back, then rotate and throw.
Follow through: let her arm finish across her body, toward her opposite hip, with her hand pointing to the target.

Side-on, step with the opposite foot, rotate and follow through. Her throws will be stronger and straighter.

Hands-on activity

Target and partner challenge

You need: soft balls or rolled socks, a beanbag (or a sock filled with rice and knotted), a laundry basket, a soccer ball or other soft ball, chalk or 2 shoes, and a partner. A racquet or paddle and a balloon or soft ball are optional.

Target toss: Set the basket 3 metres away. Make 10 underhand tosses, then 10 overhand throws from 5 metres. Count how many land in the basket.
Soft catches: Your partner tosses high, medium and low. Use thumbs together for high catches and pinkies together for low ones. Give with your hands.
Lead passes: Your partner jogs slowly across the yard. Pass so they can catch or trap it without stopping. Then switch.
Kick and trap: Pass with the inside of your foot through a "gate" made of 2 shoes, 1 metre apart. Your partner traps it.
Strike: With a paddle or racquet, keep a soft ball or balloon up in the air. How many hits in a row?

Safety: Use a clear outdoor space or a room with no breakables. Balloons are a choking hazard: a grown-up handles them, and pick up any broken pieces right away.

Just for fun

Why did the ball ask for a break?

It was tired of being passed around!

Your turn

What are the four parts of a great send?

If you throw with your right arm, which foot should step forward?

What is a lead pass?

For a catch above your waist, should your thumbs or your pinkies be together?

Why should you pull your hands back a little when you catch?

Which pass goes under a defender's hands?

Do it and check: Throw overhand to a target 5 metres away.

More practice: warm-up

Name two ways to send an object.

What part of your foot gives the most accurate soccer pass?

What should your eyes do when you receive a ball?

Name one sport where you use a forehand strike.

True or false: you should send the ball even if your partner isn't looking.

More practice: on your own

Your partner is running to the left. Where should you aim your pass, and why?

Why does stepping with the opposite foot make a throw stronger?

Leila's soccer passes keep bouncing off her partner's foot. What should the partner do?

Which send is best for each? (a) a short toss to a younger cousin, (b) a long throw from the outfield.

Your 10 overhand throws: 4 hit the target from 5 metres. What fraction hit? What could you do next?

Challenge

Your partner runs fast. Should your lead pass be aimed farther ahead or closer than for a slow partner? Explain.

Explain how catching a water balloon and catching a hard-hit ball use the same idea.

Design a practice game for two players that works on lead passes and soft catches. Include rules and scoring.

Check your understanding

Quiz

Which is not one of the four parts of a great send?

Your teammate is running. Where should you aim your pass?

For a catch below your waist, your hands should be...

Why do we follow through after a throw?

A defender has their hands up high. Which pass is best?

If you throw with your left arm, which foot steps forward?

To absorb the force of a catch, you should...

For parents and teachers

Big idea: Grade 4 students perform movement skills that involve sending and receiving objects, using different body parts and equipment, with increasing accuracy and control. This lesson focuses on the mechanics of a good send (ready, step with the opposite foot, swing, follow through), lead passes to moving partners, and receiving at different levels by watching, moving behind the object and absorbing force.

How to help at home:

Play catch at different heights and speeds. Call out "thumbs" or "pinkies".
Jog slowly while your child practises lead passes to you.
Set up a target toss with a laundry basket and keep score together.

Common difficulties:

Stepping with the same foot as the throwing arm. Put a sticker or chalk mark on the opposite shoe as a reminder.
Fear of the ball. Use soft balls, beanbags or rolled socks, start close and toss gently.
Stiff hands. Practise catching a beanbag and "pulling it in".

Safety: Use soft objects indoors, keep clear of windows and roads, and give racquet swings plenty of space. Balloons are a choking hazard for young children; an adult should handle them and pick up pieces.

Social-emotional learning: Choosing the best send for the situation builds critical thinking; passing well to a partner and encouraging them builds healthy relationships.