Hand Striking Slides Hand Striking Power
Lesson 1: The Human Paddle
Body Control
Contact Point
The Balloon Challenge
Can you keep a balloon in the air using only the palm of your hand?
The Mission:
Keep your eyes on the balloon!
Use soft, controlled taps.
Stay inside your personal bubble.
Two Ways to Strike
Underhand
Swinging your hand from low to high.
Think:
"Serving a pizza" or "Lifting the balloon up."
Overhead
Reaching high and striking down or forward.
Think:
"High five" or "Tapping a tall shelf."
Sports Science: Contact Point
WHERE
Where your hand hits the ball matters!
HOW
Hard hits go far. Soft hits stay close.
WHOA
Control is better than power!
"If you hit the bottom of the ball, it goes UP . If you hit the back , it goes FORWARD !"
Lab Time!
Grab your balloon and find your personal space.
1. Keep it Up
2. Target Taps
3. Switch Styles
Balloon Pilot Log Worksheet Balloon Pilot Log
Mission 01: Hand Striking Power
Pilot Name
Date
1
The Altitude Test
How many times could you tap the balloon before it touched the floor?
Attempt 1
Attempt 2
Attempt 3
Which part of your hand felt the most comfortable to use?
Palm (Flat)
Fingertips
Side of Hand
2
Flight Mechanics
Draw an arrow to show where you should hit the balloon to make it go straight UP .
When you hit the balloon overhead (high), where does it usually go?
Pilot Reflection
Circle the word that best describes how you controlled the balloon today:
SMOOTH WILD QUICK
One thing I want to try next time is:
Body Parts Teacher Guide The Human Paddle
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Lesson 1
2nd GRADE
Time
45 Minutes
Equipment
Balloons (1/student), Foam balls, Cones
Skills
Tracking, Contact, Force
1. The Hook (5 Mins)
"Can you keep a balloon in the air using only the palm of your hand?"
Distribute balloons. Allow students to explore freely within their personal space. Observe their natural tendencies—do they use fingertips? Do they slap the balloon?
2. Skill Workshop: Underhand vs Overhead (15 Mins)
The Underhand Lift
Cues: "Pinkies together," "Lift the pizza," "Soft touch."
Activity: Students try to tap the balloon up to eye level 10 times in a row using an underhand motion.
The Overhead Tap
Cues: "Reach high," "High five," "Point of contact."
Activity: Students reach high and tap the balloon toward a wall or a target on the floor.
3. Inquiry: The Science of Where (15 Mins)
Ask: "If I want the balloon to go to my partner, where should I hit it?"
Guided Investigation:
Bottom Hit: Balloon goes up (Gravity takes over).Side Hit: Balloon goes horizontally.Top Hit: Balloon goes down (Fast!).
Misconceptions
Slapping: Students often "swat" at the balloon. Encourage a "follow through" or "lifting" motion instead.Eyes off Ball: Remind students to watch the "belly" of the balloon.
Differentiation
Support: Use larger balloons or scarves for slower movement.Challenge: Move to lightweight foam balls or beach balls. Practice alternating hands.
Debrief Questions
"Why is it harder to strike a heavy ball than a balloon?"
"How does your hand shape change how the ball flies?"
Paddle Power Slides Paddle Power
Lesson 2: Short-Handled Implements
Firm Grip
Wrist Strength
The Pancake Challenge
Can you balance and flip a ball on your paddle like a professional chef?
Pro Chef Tips:
Shake hands with the paddle.
Keep your wrist "locked" and firm.
Watch the ball, not the floor!
The Handshake Grip
1
Place the paddle edge toward the ground.
2
Reach out and "shake hands" with the handle.
3
Wrap your fingers firm but comfortable.
No "Hammer" Grip!
Keep it side-on for control.
Controlling Direction
Flat Paddle
If the paddle face is pointing at the ceiling , the ball goes straight UP .
Great for the Pancake Challenge!
Tilted Paddle
If the paddle face is pointing at the wall , the ball goes FORWARD .
Great for Target Practice!
The Lab Is Open
Use your Pancake Pro Checklist to track your skills!
1. Balance
2. Taps
3. Walls
Pancake Pro Checklist Worksheet Pancake Pro Checklist
Short-Handled Implement Training
Name: ____________________
Table: ______
STEP 1
The Handshake Check
Is your wrist firm and "locked"?
Did you "shake hands" with the handle?
STEP 2
Chef's Challenges
The Balance Act
Can you walk 10 steps while the ball stays on the paddle?
LEVEL: EASY
Attempt 1
Attempt 2
The Flip 'n' Catch
Tap the ball up (eye height) and catch it back on the paddle.
LEVEL: PRO
How many flips could you do in a row?
Target Practice
Hit the ball toward the wall targets. Focus on your aim!
LEVEL: MASTER
1
2
3
4
Pro Review
What happens to the ball if you tilt the paddle too much?
I feel like a...
NOVICE CHEF
SOUS CHEF
EXECUTIVE CHEF
Short Implement Teacher Guide Short Implement Control
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Lesson 2
CHEF'S LAB
Implement
Paddles/Rackets
Focus
Firm Wrist, Grip
Objects
Foam/Tennis Balls
Space
Wall/Personal
The "Shake Hands" Grip
Students often use a "hammer grip" (holding the paddle like a tool to pound nails). This limits wrist range.
"V" between thumb and index finger points to the paddle edge.
Grip is firm but doesn't turn knuckles white.
The "Locked" Wrist
A "floppy" wrist leads to unpredictable direction. We want the arm and paddle to move as one unit.
"Strong as a statue."
The movement comes from the elbow/shoulder, not the wrist joint.
The Pancake Progression
Stage 1: Balance
Students walk with ball on paddle. Focus on keeping the "pan" flat.
Stage 2: Flip
Soft taps up to eye level. "Catch" the ball back on the paddle without it bouncing off.
Stage 3: Sizzle
Continuous taps upward. How many can you get without moving your feet?
Inquiry Questions
Question:
"If your ball keeps flying behind you, what do you need to change about your paddle tilt?"
Answer to look for:
"I need to tilt the face forward or keep it flatter toward the ceiling."
Paddle Safety
Paddles stay below the waist during travel. "Stop, Drop, and Hands-Off" when the whistle blows.
Batting Basics Slides Big Bat Energy
Lesson 3: Long-Handled Implements
Hip Rotation
Visual Tracking
The Power Spin
How far can you hit the ball if you spin your hips like a tornado?
The Power Formula:
Stand SIDEWAYS to the target.
"Squish the bug" with your back foot.
Point your belly button at the target.
Side Stance Science
WRONG
Facing the target forward. (No power!)
The Right Way:
SHOULDERS
Shoulder points to the target.
FEET
Feet are wide, like a surfboard.
HANDS
Hands together on the handle.
EYES
Chin on the front shoulder.
The Secret Trick: Squish the Bug
1
Swing your arms Horizontal (level with the ground).
2
Pivot your back foot until your heel points UP .
3
This turns your whole body into a Spring !
Rotation = Rocket Power!
Safety Bubble
Long tools mean Long Danger Zones!
1. Look behind before you swing.
2. Keep two hands on the bat.
3. Set the bat down nicely (No throwing!).
Stance Science Guide Worksheet Stance Science
Long-Handled Batting Reference
Station
#___
The Pro Stance
SIDEWAYS TO TARGET
Hands Together
Feet Wide
Chin on Shoulder
"I am a surfboard facing the waves!"
Lab Log
Pilot Name
Which part of your body gives you the most POWER?
My Fingers
My Hips (Twisting)
My Elbows
Target Distance Tracker:
SHORT
MEDIUM
LONG
"Squish the Bug" Test
When you finish your swing, where should your back heel be pointing?
At the Ground
At the Sky!
Long Implement Teacher Guide Rotation & Torque
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Lesson 3
LONG IMPLEMENTS
Tool
Foam Bats
Object
Tees / Soft Balls
Safety
Swing Bubbles
The Side Stance
Why it matters: 2nd graders naturally want to face the tee. Facing sideways allows for the longest swing path and torso rotation.
Cues: "Surfboard feet," "Belly button away from target," "Chin on front shoulder."
"Squish the Bug"
Why it matters: Power comes from the ground up. This cue ensures students are transferring weight and rotating their hips.
Cues: "Back heel to the sky," "Spring your hips," "Point your belly at the ball."
The Rotation Station
01
Dry Swings
Practice stance and rotation WITHOUT the ball. Focus on "The Bug."
02
Tee Time
Stationary balls. Aim for a horizontal (level) swing plane.
03
Target Hitting
Try to hit a specific cone or wall target using the spin power.
04
Speed Challenge
How fast can you reset your side-stance between hits?
Common Error: The Chopping Swing
Students often swing "High-to-Low" (like an axe). Remind them to keep the bat level with the tee, like a helicopter blade or a hula hoop.
Hockey Handling Slides Stick Sweep
Lesson 4: Floor Hockey Mechanics
Hand Spacing
Sweeping Motion
The Sweep Secret
Can you sweep the ball to your partner without the stick ever going above your knees?
The Golden Rules:
Hands are SPACED OUT.
Blade stays ON THE FLOOR.
"Cushion" the ball to catch it.
Hand Spacing
The Power Split
1
Non-Dominant hand at the TOP.
2
Dominant hand goes LOW (Middle).
"Spaced hands give you more control over the stick's tail!"
Keep the Gap!
The Motion: Sweep, Don't Chop
NO CHOPPING
Don't pick the stick up high and hit down. The ball will bounce away!
THE SWEEP
Keep the stick touching the ball. Pull back slightly, then push forward in a smooth line.
"It's like a broom pushing dust, not a hammer hitting a nail!"
Partner Lab
Grab a partner and find a passing lane.
Goal: 10 clean passes in a row.
A "clean pass" stays on the floor and lands right on your partner's stick!
Stick Skills Teacher Guide Ground Striking Power
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Lesson 4
The Rink
Tool
Floor Hockey Sticks
Focus
Split Hand Grip
Motion
Sweeping/Cushion
Safety
Stick Below Knees
The Split Grip
Many students want to hold the stick with hands together (like a bat). For hockey, we need a split grip for leverage and stick-face control.
"Top hand covers the end cap."
"Dominant hand halfway down (The Steering Wheel)."
The Sweep
Striking an object on the ground is different from striking in the air. We want to guide the ball/puck, not just impact it.
"Stay glued to the ball."
"Finish with the blade pointing at your partner."
Training Drills
1
Personal Glue
Students move the ball around their body without ever letting it leave the blade of the stick. Focus on keeping hands split.
2
Through the Gate
Partner passing through 3-foot wide cone gates. Focus on the follow-through direction.
3
Catch the Egg
Focus on receiving. "Cushion" the ball by pulling the stick back slightly on impact so the ball doesn't bounce off.
High-Sticking Safety
Strict Rule: Stick blade must stay below the knee at all times. If a stick goes high, the student sits for 2 minutes (Safety Timeout).
Passing Pro Log Worksheet Passing Pro Log
Stick Skills & Accuracy Mission
Passer Name
The "Power Split" Check
Top hand is at the very end of the stick.
Dominant hand is halfway down.
Challenge
The Target Lane
Place two cones 3 feet apart. Can you sweep the ball through the "gate" to your partner?
Hits (Through Gate)
Bounces (Off Cone)
Physics Observation
What happens to the ball if you CHOpped at it (hit down) instead of sweeping it?
"To catch the ball with my stick, I have to..."
Pull back (Cushion)
Hold it stiff
Striking Range Slides Striking Range
Lesson 5: The Grand Challenge
Precision
Mastery
The Striker's Choice
Welcome to the Striking Range. Today, you are the expert. You choose the tool, you choose the target!
PADDLE ZONE
Small targets on the wall.
BATTING ZONE
Distance and power hits.
HOCKEY ZONE
Accuracy through gates.
The Secret to Aiming
1
Point your FEET at the path.
2
Point your IMPLEMENT FACE at the target.
3
FOLLOW THROUGH toward the target.
Bullseye Mindset
Force Control
Soft Touch
For close targets and catching.
Big Blast
For far targets and distance.
"Don't use a cannonball to hit a butterfly!"
Master Striker Log
Grab your Scorecard and start your Quest.
STATION 1
STATION 2
STATION 3
Master Striker Scorecard Worksheet Master Striker
Final Challenge Scorecard
Striker Name
01
Quest of the Paddle
Short Target
5
Points
Mid Target
10
Points
High Target
20
Points
02
Quest of the Bat
Did you "Squish the Bug"?
YES
NO
Draw your longest hit path here!
03
Quest of the Stick
Passes Through Gate
Striker's Reflection
"Which tool did you feel MOST in control of today?"
PADDLE
BAT
STICK
"One thing I learned about my stance is..."
Challenge Day Teacher Guide Challenge Day
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Lesson 5
The Range
Learning Objective
Students will demonstrate control over direction and force using various implements by successfully hitting targets in three different zones.
Range Station Setup
Zone A: Paddle Precision
Target: Tape squares on walls at varying heights.Distance: 5-8 feet from wall.Focus: Paddle tilt and wrist stability.
Zone B: Batting Blast
Target: Cones placed at 10, 20, and 30 feet.Equipment: Foam bats and batting tees.Focus: Hip rotation (Squish the Bug).
Zone C: Hockey Hero
Target: "Gates" made of cones or small goals.Activity: Passing through a series of 3 gates.Focus: Split-grip and follow-through.
The "Aimer" Script
When a student is struggling to hit a target, walk through this 3-step check:
1. "Are your FEET like a surfboard?" (Check stance alignment)
2. "Is your TOOL FACE looking at the bullseye?" (Check implement angle)
3. "Did you SWING through the target?" (Check follow-through path)
Mastery Rubric
Skill Novice Proficient Master Stance Faces target forward. Side stance, inconsistent feet. Perfect side stance & pivot. Force Hits as hard as possible. Adjusts force with help. Clearly controls soft/hard hits. Accuracy Hits rarely go toward target. Hits consistently near target. Consistently hits the bullseye.
