Grade 6 Physical And Health Education Softball – Minor Games Notes
Physical & Health Education — Softball
Subtopic: Minor Games (age 11) — Kenya
- Know what minor games are and why we use them in softball practice.
- Practice basic softball skills: throwing, catching, fielding and running.
- Learn rules, safety and simple ways to play using local school equipment.
Minor games are short, fun activities that help players practise important skills. They are easy to set up and good for warm-ups or skill practice before playing a full softball game.
- Improve throwing and catching accuracy.
- Build teamwork and communication.
- Develop running and fielding skills.
- Safe and fun for all learners; can use simple local equipment.
- Softball or tennis ball (tennis ball works well for younger children).
- Bat or short stick (optional).
- Cones or stones to mark bases.
- Stopwatch or teacher's whistle.
Tip: Use old socks tied into a ball or a small soft ball if no official softball is available. Mark bases with shoes, bottles or small stones.
- Always warm up and stretch before games.
- Check the ground for holes, stones and glass.
- Wear proper shoes (no slip-on sandals if possible).
- Listen to the teacher and stop when asked.
- Pass and Move — Players form two lines facing each other about 6–10 metres apart. Throw and catch with a partner, then take one step to the side and pass to the next player. Focus on soft catches with hands together.
- Ball Tag — One player with the ball tries to lightly tap (throw to touch) another player's shoulder while others avoid being tagged by quick side steps. Good for throwing accuracy and dodging.
Teams of 4–6 line up behind a start line. The first player runs to a cone 10–15m away, picks up a ball, runs back and passes the ball by throwing to the next team member. The team that finishes first with correct throws wins.
Skills: Throwing while running, catching under pressure, teamwork.
Adaptation: Use a tennis ball and shorter distance for beginners.
Place 3 targets (buckets, cones or hoops) at different distances. Players take turns to throw 3 balls, aiming for the targets. Give points for each target hit (near = 1, medium = 3, far = 5). Highest score wins.
Skills: Aiming, controlling power and direction of throw.
Kenyan tip: Use plastic basins or buckets as targets inside the school field.
Players stand in a circle. One player throws to someone else while calling their name. The catcher must call the thrower’s name back and then throw to a new person. If someone drops the ball, they do 3 star jumps and rejoin. After 2–3 drops the teacher can change the ball or split circles.
Skills: Catching, communication, quick thinking.
Set up 4 stations: ground ball, high catch, throw to target, and run to base. Teams rotate through stations and earn points for good technique and speed.
Skills: Ground fielding, catching fly balls, accuracy when throwing to a base, running between bases.
Use a small space in your school field. Mark bases with cones, bottles or stones.
- Shorten distances for beginners; increase for advanced players.
- Use two balls at once to practice quick decision making.
- Make catches with one hand for advanced players (only when safe).
- Can each pupil catch a soft throw 5 times in a row?
- Can they throw accurately to a partner 6 metres away?
- Observe teamwork: do players call for the ball and help each other?
- Keep instructions short and show one demonstration before playing.
- Rotate children through stations so everyone practices each skill.
- Praise effort and fair play to encourage participation.