Target Toss Activity Pack
Elementary PE • Grades K-3 Skill: Underhand Throw
Target Toss Activity Pack
Fundamental Movement Patterns • Accuracy • Cooperation • Safety
The 4 Power Cues (C.A.S.T. Steps)
Visual Cue Anchor Cards
1 Lock Eyes
Visual Cue
EYES ON TARGET
"Eyes on Prize"
Lock eyes on the center target. Face tummy toward your goal.
2 Tick-Tock
Visual Cue
TICK... TOCK! SWING ARM BACK
"Bowling Arm"
Swing straight back past your pocket like a grandfather clock.
3 Opposite Foot
Visual Cue
LINE STEP SPOT R L ★ Right Hand Toss ➔ LEFT Foot Steps! OPPOSITE FOOT STEP
"Giant Step"
Step with your OTHER foot (throw right = step left foot forward!).
4 High-Five
Visual Cue
HIGH-FIVE FINISH
"Reach to Target"
Release at belt level and reach your palm forward to high-five target.
Recommended Equipment
- Throwables: Beanbags, yarn balls, fleece balls, foam tennis balls.
- Station Targets: Hula hoops, pop-up hampers, buckets, tall cones.
- Court Markers: Poly spots, floor tape (defines throwing lines).
Gym Safety Rules
- Throw only on the "GO" signal. Never throw when someone is retrieving.
- Toe on the line: Keep feet behind markers until all tosses land.
- Soft equipment only: No hard rubber balls during introductory phases.
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.
Target Toss PE Resource • Page 1: Technique & Warm-Up National PE Standard 1 (S1.E13: Underhand Throw)
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 2: 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 3: 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 4: Student Tracker & Assessment Rubric National PE Standard 1 & 4 Assessment Guide