Target Toss Activity Pack
Elementary PE • Grades K-3 Skill: Underhand Throw
Target Toss Activity Pack
Complete Instructional Unit • Large Wall Posters • Stations • Games • Rubrics
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The 4 C.A.S.T. Visual Posters (Pages 2–5)
Full-Page Printables
Print and display the 4 full-page visual cue posters around your gymnasium walls or at individual throwing stations. Each poster highlights one core motor cue:
1 LOCK EYES
C - Check Target
See Page 2
2 TICK-TOCK
A - Arm Swing
See Page 3
3 OPPOSITE
S - Step Foot
See Page 4
4 HIGH-FIVE
T - Toss & Reach
See Page 5
Recommended Gym Equipment
- Throwables: Beanbags, yarn balls, fleece balls, foam tennis balls.
- Targets: Hula hoops, pop-up laundry hampers, buckets, cones.
- Floor Markers: Poly spots, gym floor vinyl tape for throw lines.
Essential Gym Safety Rules
- Throw only on signal: Never throw while someone is retrieving.
- Toe behind line: Feet stay behind the poly spot until all toss.
- Safe retrieve walk: Walk—never dive or slide—to pick up beanbags.
Warm-Up Activity • 5-7 Mins
"Partner Mirror Toss" (Shadow & Sync Practice)
In Pairs (Facing Spots)
Partners stand 5 feet apart facing each other. Partner A is the "Leader" and Partner B is the "Mirror". Partners synchronize their throwing mechanics before gentle live tosses.
Phase 1: Shadow Mirror Without equipment, Leader moves through the 4 cues in slow motion. Mirror copies every swing and opposite step in sync. Switch roles after 5 reps.
Phase 2: Live Mirror Toss Add 1 beanbag or fleece ball. Both partners chant: "Tick... Tock... Step... Reach!" as they toss gently back and forth right to partner's chest.
Coaching Focus Check opposite foot step! "Step with the foot that gives your partner a high-five!" Keep throws soft and catchable with two-hand alligator catches.
Suggested 45-Minute PE Lesson Timeline
0–8 Mins Warm-Up & Introduce C.A.S.T. Wall Posters (Pages 2–5).
8–15 Mins Partner Mirror Toss & Whole-Group Movement Chants.
15–35 Mins Accuracy Alley Circuit Stations (Page 6) or Games (Page 7).
35–45 Mins Self-Check Tracker & Observational Rubric (Page 8).
Target Toss PE Resource • Page 1: Teacher Guide & Unit Overview National PE Standard 1 (S1.E13: Underhand Throw)
1
C.A.S.T. Step 1 Eye Contact
LOCK EYES
"Eyes on the target. Tummy faces the goal!"
Visual Movement Cue
Wall Poster 1 of 4
THROWING SPOT TARGET ZONE FEET SET ★ LASER-LOCKED SIGHTLINE KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE!
A
Pick Your Spot
Stare right at the middle of the bullseye, hoop, or your partner's hands. Never look at the ground!
B
Square Your Tummy
Point your belly button directly at the target. When your body faces the goal, your throw flies straight.
C
Freeze Your Head
Keep your head steady and chin up. Watch the beanbag fly all the way until it lands in the target!
Class PE Chant
"Eyes bright, target in sight! Lock on tight and throw it right!"
Common Mistake Fix
Don't watch your hands or feet! Keep eyes locked on the target ring.
C.A.S.T. Movement Cue Series • Step 1: Lock Eyes Post On Gym Wall • Target Toss Activity Pack
2
C.A.S.T. Step 2 Arm Swing
TICK-TOCK
"Swing straight back like a bowling ball or grandfather clock!"
Pendulum Motion Cue
Wall Poster 2 of 4
TICK... ...TOCK! 2 STRAIGHT PAST HIP TICK-TOCK SWING STRAIGHT LIKE A PENDULUM!
A
Brush Your Pocket
Swing your throwing hand straight back past your pants pocket. Don't let your arm bend sideways!
B
Long Smooth Swing
Keep your arm relaxed and long like a grandfather clock pendulum. A smooth swing gives you perfect power.
C
Straight Track
Imagine train tracks running from behind you straight to the target. Your arm rides on the tracks!
Class PE Chant
"Tick it back, right on track! Tock it through and make it true!"
Common Mistake Fix
Don't swing sidearm like a frisbee! Keep your arm moving straight underhand.
C.A.S.T. Movement Cue Series • Step 2: Tick-Tock Swing Post On Gym Wall • Target Toss Activity Pack
3
C.A.S.T. Step 3 Footwork & Balance
OPPOSITE STEP
"Step forward with your OTHER foot right onto the poly spot!"
Balance & Power Cue
Wall Poster 3 of 4
THROW WITH RIGHT HAND ➔ STEP WITH LEFT FOOT! START LINE TARGET STEP SPOT GIANT STRIDE! 3 THROWING HAND (R) R FOOT ANCHORS OPPOSITE FOOT (L) STEPS! STEP OPPOSITE = BALANCE & POWER!
A
Raise Throwing Hand
Hold your beanbag in the air. Tap the OTHER leg with your empty hand so your brain is ready!
B
Giant Step Forward
Take a confident, giant stride straight toward the target as your throwing arm swings forward.
C
Squash the Spot
Plant your front foot firmly flat on the floor like you are squashing a bug on the poly spot. No wobbles!
Class PE Chant
"Right hand throws, Left foot goes! Step with power, strike the rose!"
The #1 Mistake To Avoid
Never step with the same side foot! Same-side steps cause misses and trips.
C.A.S.T. Movement Cue Series • Step 3: Opposite Foot Step Post On Gym Wall • Target Toss Activity Pack
4
C.A.S.T. Step 4 Release & Reach
HIGH-FIVE FINISH
"Release at belt level and reach your palm forward to high-five the target!"
Follow-Through Cue
Wall Poster 4 of 4
TARGET ★ BELT-LEVEL RELEASE REACH & HIGH-FIVE THE TARGET!
A
Release at Belt
Let the beanbag go right as your hand swings past your belly button. Don't hold on too long!
B
Rainbow Arc
Throw up and over an imaginary rainbow. A gentle curve lets the beanbag drop softly into the target.
C
Freeze the High-Five
Leave your open hand reaching toward the target like giving it a high-five. Hold the pose until it lands!
Class PE Chant
"Release at the belt, reach up high! Give your target a big high-five!"
Common Mistake Fix
Releasing too late makes the ball spike the floor. Release right at waist height!
C.A.S.T. Movement Cue Series • Step 4: High-Five Finish Post On Gym Wall • Target Toss Activity Pack
Station Circuit • 4 Rotation Areas
Accuracy Alley Stations
5–7 Minutes Per Station
S1 Tiers & Buckets
Bucket Bonanza
3 buckets lined up in a row at different distances: Green (4 ft = 1 pt), Yellow (7 ft = 2 pts), Red (10 ft = 3 pts).
Challenge Mission:
Each thrower gets 3 beanbags. Work with your station team to reach 15 total team points!
Coach Cue: Use high arc! Imagine a rainbow curve into the bucket.
S2 Pin Knockdown
Castle Crashers
Set up 4 tall traffic cones. Balance a lightweight foam ball or tennis ball on top of each cone (the "Castle Towers").
Challenge Mission:
Throw beanbag underhand to knock the foam balls off the cones without knocking the cone over!
Coach Cue: Release at belt height for a flat, direct flight path.
S3 Flat Targets
Hoop Landing Zone
Place 3 hula hoops flat on the gym floor: Close (5 ft), Mid (8 ft), Far (12 ft). Poly spot placed in center of each hoop.
Challenge Mission:
Toss beanbag so it lands & stays inside the hoop without sliding out. Hit the center spot for double points!
Coach Cue: Soft landing! "Drop it like a feather on a pillow."
S4 Vertical Targets
Wall Bullseye Safari
Tape laminated animal target shapes (or poly spots) at heights of 2 ft, 3.5 ft, and 5 ft on a safe gym wall.
Challenge Mission:
Call out your target animal before throwing. Yarn ball must strike inside the circle cleanly.
Coach Cue: Point your follow-through fingers right at the animal nose!
Differentiation Menu (Levels K through 3)
Level 1 (Kindergarten): Use giant laundry hampers / hoops; stand 3–4 feet away; use soft yarn balls.
Level 2 (Grades 1–2): Standard distances (5–8 ft); emphasize stepping with the opposite foot every toss.
Level 3 (Grade 3 Extension): Try non-dominant hand tosses, or take 1 step back after every successful target hit!
Target Toss PE Resource • Page 6: Station Rotation Cards Station Setup: 4–6 students per station with rotation on music pause
Social Emotional Learning & Teamwork
Cooperative Throwing Games
Pairs & Small Groups
A
Bridge Builders (Partner Step-Back Challenge)
Partners of 2
Partners stand toes on two facing poly spots, 4 feet apart, with 1 soft beanbag or fleece ball. Player 1 tosses underhand to Player 2, who catches it with two hands ("alligator clamp").
Step-Back Rule: When both partners complete a successful toss & catch, both take 1 giant step backwards to expand their "bridge".
Drop Reset: If the ball drops, no worries! Both take 1 step forward to rebuild the bridge strength. No elimination!
Cooperation Cue: "Good throws make your partner look like a superhero!" Aim straight for their chest.
B
Feed the Hungry Monsters (Team Basket Rescue)
Teams of 4–5
Each team has a large pop-up hamper or cone ring placed 8 feet away decorated as a "Hungry Monster". Teams line up behind a poly spot throwing line.
Relay Flow: Player 1 executes a proper underhand throw with opposite step. Then jog to retrieve, hand off beanbag to Player 2, and go to the back.
Team Goal: Collectively "feed" the monster 10 snacks within 3 minutes. Count aloud together on each made toss!
Form Focus: Teammates chant the cue rhythm: "Swing back... Step... Follow through!"
C
Island Hopper (Accuracy Retrieval Game)
Half Gym Groups
Scatter 8–10 hula hoops across the gym floor (the "Islands"). In pairs, thrower stands on the "Mainland" line and aims beanbags to land inside empty islands.
The Island Capture: When a beanbag lands inside an unoccupied island, partner hops out on two feet, retrieves it, and brings it back to base.
Cooperative Victory: Can the entire class "visit" all 10 islands with accurate underhand tosses before the timer buzzer rings?
PE Whistle & Management Protocol
1 Whistle: "Throwing Line Ready!" (Feet behind poly spots, ball in hand).
2 Whistles: "Safe Retrieve!" (Walk, never run, to collect your equipment).
3 Whistles: "Freeze & Hold!" (Ball between knees or placed on floor).
Target Toss PE Resource • Page 7: Cooperative Partner & Team Games SHAPE Standard 4 (Personal & Social Responsibility in Physical Activity)
Assessment & Reflection
Skill Check & Station Tracker
Clipboards or Laminated Dry-Erase
Student:
Class/Grade:
Date:
My Underhand Throw Power Checklist (Color the Star!)
👀
Eyes on Target
I watched my target the whole time
★
🕰️
Tick-Tock Swing
Arm swung straight back behind me
★
👟
Opposite Step
I stepped with my other foot
★
✋
High-Five Reach
Hand pointed right at the target
★
Station Scorecard
| Station Activity | Toss Count | Hits / Successes | My Favorite Target & Notes |
|---|
| Station 1: Bucket Bonanza | 6 Tosses | | |
| Station 2: Castle Crashers | 6 Tosses | | |
| Station 3: Hoop Landing Zone | 6 Tosses | | |
| Station 4: Wall Safari Target | 6 Tosses | | |
Teacher Observational Rubric (Standard S1.E13)
Level 1: Emerging K
- Faces target but feet remain stationary (no forward step).
- Tosses with arm push rather than smooth pendulum swing.
- Releases too early (goes straight up) or too late (ground spike).
Level 2: Developing Grades 1–2
- Steps forward, but often with the same (homolateral) foot.
- Arm swings back past hip; releases close to waist height.
- Consistent accuracy toward large stationary targets (5–6 ft).
Level 3: Proficient Grades 2–3
- Consistently steps with opposite foot toward target.
- Fluid backswing and waist-height release.
- Clear follow-through with hand pointing toward target.
Target Toss PE Resource • Page 8: Student Tracker & Assessment Rubric National PE Standard 1 & 4 Assessment Guide
