Grade 6 Physical And Health Education Field Events – Standing Shotput Notes
Physical & Health Education — Field Events
Subtopic: Standing Shotput (Age: about 11 years)
These notes explain the standing shotput for primary school learners in Kenya. Standing shotput is a safe way for young learners to practise the basic pushing action used in throwing events. Always practise on a grass field or soft ground and under teacher supervision.
Equipment
- Shot (use a school-approved size and weight). For young learners a soft rubber shot or medicine ball (~1–2 kg) is best — check with your teacher.
- Flat, visible throwing circle (about 1 metre wide) or a marked area on the ground.
- Tape measure, flags or cones to mark where the shot lands.
- First aid kit and teacher supervision.
Quick Safety Rules
- Never throw when people are in front of you — always throw into a clear sector.
- Use soft shots for younger pupils to reduce injury risk.
- Stand behind the throwing line until the teacher gives permission.
- Stay inside the circle until the shot lands and teacher says it is safe to leave.
- Stand side-on to the throwing direction with feet shoulder-width apart.
- Hold the shot in the palm of the throwing hand. Keep the shot against your neck below the jaw.
- Bend knees slightly and keep weight on the back foot.
- Push the shot forward and up using legs, hip and arm together — think "push, don't throw".
- Follow through: extend the arm and keep balance; step out only after the shot lands.
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Simple plan view: stand side-on, push the shot past the toe-board into the sector.
Coaching Cues for Learners (easy to remember)
- "Shot to neck" — keep the shot resting near the neck, not in the fingers.
- "Push with legs" — use the legs and hips more than the arm.
- "Stand side-on" — stronger arm points towards the landing sector.
- "Eyes on target" — look where you want the shot to go, not at the ground.
Warm-up Ideas (10 minutes)
- Light jogging around the field (2–3 minutes).
- Dynamic arm swings and shoulder circles.
- Squats and calf raises to wake legs.
- Practice 4–6 gentle pushes with a soft shot (increase effort slowly).
Practice Drills
- Pushing in place: stand and push the shot 6 times, focus on legs.
- Walking push: take one step forward then push; helps co-ordinate legs and arm.
- Partner target: aim to push the shot to land between two cones.
How to Measure and Count Attempts
- Each learner gets a set number of attempts (for class usually 3).
- Measure from the front edge of the circle (toe-board) to the nearest mark where the shot first landed.
- Record the best valid (not fouled) attempt.
- Foul examples: stepping past the toe-board, leaving the circle before the shot lands, or unpredictable throws into the wrong sector.
Assessment Ideas for Teachers
- Observe safe technique: shot placement, balanced stance, and leg drive.
- Measure improvement over several lessons (distance and technique checks).
- Use simple checklist: safety, hold, stance, push, follow-through (tick for each).
Games to Make Learning Fun
- Target Challenge — groups try to land shot inside marked target rings for points.
- Team Relay — each member pushes from the circle; team total distance scores.
- Accuracy Round — small prizes for the most accurate pushes (not only distance).
Remember: in Kenyan primary schools the standing shotput is a great way to build strength, coordination and safe throwing technique. Always follow your teacher’s instructions and use equipment that is suitable for your age.
Helpful tip: If your school does not have metal shots, ask for soft rubber shots or small medicine balls — they are safer and still teach the correct push action.