Who Knew You Could Have So Much Fun Throwing & Catching!

Our focus this week was on throwing and catching with a variety of skills based games which proved a lot more fun than perhaps you might have expected. We started off in pairs doing basic throwing to your partner and catching. As confidence increased the gap between the pairs was increased so that they had to throw further each time.
We then progressed to a game I used to play myself as a child. I have no idea what it's name is but it is played in pairs and involves getting penalised every time you drop a catch but you can redeem yourself each time you make a catch. You both start off standing facing each other. You throw the ball to your partner, if they drop the catch they have to kneel on one knee. If they drop the next throw they go to both knees. Then one hand behind your back and if you miss again you lose. However, if you catch the ball you move back a step so if on two knees and you catch it you go back to only one knee, and so on. Basically you have to catch the ball more times than your partner and be consistent to win.

The last game before a drinks break was a game called Champions. All the members line up in a row facing the coach and he thows to each child in turn. If the catch the ball they move up the row, if they drop it they move down the row. It is a fast paced game with the winner being the member who is top of the row and the end of the game.

After the break we started to use the velcro pads and balls. As you can see in the photos to start with we just had the pads on the big targets at each end of the hall. They first practised throwing at the target pads trying to scorre. It then moved in to team games just throwing to each other up the field of play until trying to score, while the oppisition did their best to block the targets. After a while we switched to  using the pads. The team had to pass the ball to each other as before but catch with the pad. If the ball was dropped and hit the floor however and it would be turned over to the opposing  team. We saw some great teamwork and some good long throws and catches down the hall as teams tried to make quick breaks.

Our Star this Week Callum pictured with Coach Alan

At the end of the session the coaches awarded the Star of the Week award to young Callum who always has such enthusiasm and tries really hard. Well done Callum!
During the session we had a young group of Media students with us from Harlow college. They filmed throughout the session and did some interviews with a view  to putting a short promotional video up on the Essex Local Offers website. We look forward to seeing the end results! Next week we will have a second group from the same college / course so if you missed out becoming a start last week then dont miss out next Saturday.
​See you then!