PE and health
Physical-skill observation checklist
Use five teaching points to observe an overarm throw across three attempts, then give a partner one specific tip and choose a practice drill. The pages include preparation, action and recovery diagrams, a safety reminder and a performer reflection.
Watch preparation, action and recovery. The source shows a right-handed thrower; use soft balls and a clear throwing area.
Read the complete materialRead the material
Use five teaching points to observe an overarm throw across three attempts, then give a partner one specific tip and choose a practice drill. The pages include preparation, action and recovery diagrams, a safety reminder and a performer reflection.
Shared activity record. Use the preview for diagrams and layout.
Page 1
OBSERVER PERFORMER CLASS LEARNING GOAL Watch a throw closely and help a partner improve. Three phases of the throw 1ST HALF The numbers match the checklist below. Pictures show a right-handed thrower. 1 2 3 Preparation Side-on, opposite foot forward, elbow high. 4 Action Turn to face the target. Arm over the top. 5 Recovery Follow through to the target. Weight forward. Watch three throws 2ND HALF Stand to the side of your partner. After each throw, circle Yes or Not yet for every point. TEACHING POINT ATTEMPT 1 ATTEMPT 2 ATTEMPT 3 1 Stand side-on to the target. Yes Not yet Yes Not yet Yes Not yet 2 Step forward with the opposite foot to your throwing arm. Yes Not yet Yes Not yet Yes Not yet 3 Take your throwing arm back with the elbow high. Yes Not yet Yes Not yet Yes Not yet 4 Turn your hips and shoulders to face the target. Yes Not yet Yes Not yet Yes Not yet 5 Release the ball high and follow through towards the target. Yes Not yet Yes Not yet Yes Not yet Safety first: warm up first. Use soft balls or beanbags. Throw only when the area in front of you is clear. Work at your own level; stop if anything hurts and tell your teacher. Physical-skill observation 1 Watch 2 Feedback 3 Teacher PE AGES 9 TO 12 THROWING SKILLS Overarm throw Watch a partner throw and spot the teaching points. MATCH DAY SUCCESS CRITERIA I can name the five teaching points. I can spot each point in a partner's throw. I can give one clear tip to improve it. 1 1 2 3 2 Page 1 of 2
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OBSERVER PERFORMER Final score FULL TIME YES COUNT ATTEMPT 1 / 5 ATTEMPT 2 / 5 ATTEMPT 3 / 5 Count the Yes circles on page 1 for each attempt. Did the score go up, stay the same or go down? up same down Give feedback OBSERVER Be kind, be specific, be helpful. Use the teaching point words from page 1. What went well You were great at ... One teaching point to work on CIRCLE ONE 1 2 3 4 5 Next time, try to ... Pick a practice drill TRAINING Circle the drill that will help your partner most. Use soft balls or beanbags. Wall target Throw at a target on a wall from 5 big steps away. Collect the ball and repeat 5 times. Say it, throw it Say "side, step, elbow, turn, follow" as you throw slowly. Then throw at normal speed. Hoop ladder Lay hoops 3, 5 and 7 big steps away. Land a beanbag in each hoop in turn. Performer's reflection THROWER WRITES Which teaching point felt easiest? My target for next time is ... How confident is my overarm throw? Not yet Getting there Got it ENCORE Move the target two big steps back. Can you still show all five points? Physical-skill observation 1 Watch 2 Feedback 3 Teacher PE OVERARM THROW Coach's feedback 3 4 5 A B C 6 Page 2 of 2
Page 1
Physical-skill observation checklist Teacher companion Physical Education | Pupils aged 9 to 12 Use with the exact 2-page original file. Keep pupil or staff activity pages separate from this teacher companion. When to use it Use this during a throwing-skills lesson when pupils can work safely in pairs and the throwing area is controlled. Read the safety instructions first, then demonstrate the five points before observers record attempts. The resource specifies soft balls or beanbags. Purpose Identify five parts of an overarm throw, observe them across attempts and give a partner one safe, specific practice suggestion. Start here Set up a clear throwing area and use soft balls or beanbags, as instructed. Review the preparation, action and recovery diagrams and decide which pupil throws first. A teaching sequence 1. Read the five teaching points and connect each to the preparation, action or recovery phase shown on page 1. 2. Observe up to three throws from the side and mark Yes or Not yet for each point on each attempt. 3. Count the Yes marks and give feedback using one teaching point and a specific observation. 4. Choose a practice drill from page 2, then let the performer complete the reflection and set a target for next time. Discuss which drill best addresses that point. Checking guidance Look for an observation tied to a visible action, such as stepping forward with the opposite foot or following through towards the target. Ask, “Which teaching point did you notice?” If feedback is broad or personal, help the observer name one action and one next step. Use one visible teaching point in feedback, such as stepping with the opposite foot. Ask the observer to identify which attempt showed it before selecting a follow-up drill. Support Begin with one teaching point and a slow demonstration before using the full checklist. Use a beanbag and a close target if suitable, and let pupils practise the movement without a throw before adding equipment. Take it further After pupils can show the five points, use the printed wall-target, say-it-throw-it or hoop-ladder drill. Ask the performer to explain which point changed between attempts and what evidence supports that view. Things to keep in mind This is a lesson resource, not a sports injury or medical protocol. Check the activity area and equipment, follow the printed safety steps, stop if anything hurts and adjust the practice distance to the group. Physical-skill observation checklist Teacher companion | Page 1
A teaching sequence
Identify five parts of an overarm throw, observe them across attempts and give a partner one safe, specific practice suggestion.
Watch preparation, action and recovery. The source shows a right-handed thrower; use soft balls and a clear throwing area.
Read the complete materialConnect teaching points with throw phases
Read the five teaching points and connect each to the preparation, action or recovery phase shown on page 1.
Which point belongs to preparation, action or recovery?
Watch preparation, action and recovery. The source shows a right-handed thrower; use soft balls and a clear throwing area.
Read the complete materialObserve three throws from the side
Observe up to three throws from the side and mark Yes or Not yet for each point on each attempt.
What did you see on this attempt before marking Yes or Not yet?
Count evidence and give one tip
Count the Yes marks and give feedback using one teaching point and a specific observation.
Which observation supports the selected teaching point?
Select a drill and reflect
Choose a practice drill from page 2, then let the performer complete the reflection and set a target for next time. Discuss which drill best addresses that point.
Which printed drill addresses the chosen point within the group's safe practice distance?
Before you teach
Look for the thinking behind an answer, choose the support your class needs and leave room for an independent response.
What to look for
Look for an observation tied to a visible action, such as stepping forward with the opposite foot or following through towards the target. Ask, “Which teaching point did you notice?” If feedback is broad or personal, help the observer name one action and one next step. Use one visible teaching point in feedback, such as stepping with the opposite foot. Ask the observer to identify which attempt showed it before selecting a follow-up drill.
Give a little support
Begin with one teaching point and a slow demonstration before using the full checklist. Use a beanbag and a close target if suitable, and let pupils practise the movement without a throw before adding equipment.
Take the idea further
After pupils can show the five points, use the printed wall-target, say-it-throw-it or hoop-ladder drill. Ask the performer to explain which point changed between attempts and what evidence supports that view.
Things to keep in mind
This is a lesson resource, not a sports injury or medical protocol. Check the activity area and equipment, follow the printed safety steps, stop if anything hurts and adjust the practice distance to the group.
Keep the idea. Make it yours.
Bring your topic, learning goal and class context to PLAI™, then review what you create.
Ideas for using this resource
Sample teaching perspectives on what to try, what to adapt and what to watch for.
Meet The Creators
Meet the creators whose teaching interests connect with this template. Find an approach to try with your class.
Liam Dawes
A prompt or checklist can help pupils reflect on a skill, but it should not reduce physical education to a written task.
Meet the creator
Marcus Owusu
Covered-court planning forms a substantial part of my scheme, rather than being something to improvise when an outdoor lesson becomes difficult.
Meet the creator
Wei Zhang
I teach Physical Education across the secondary phase and start planning with the pupil who may be least ready to join in.
Meet the creator
Sofia Almeida
I begin secondary PE planning with less-confident pupils, organising participation around available facilities and time so the task offers a workable first step within our practical constraints.
Meet the creator
Kofi Mensah
I want Physical Education to give every year group meaningful movement and a sense that improvement belongs to them, whether or not they already identify as sporty.
Meet the creator
Adam Threlkeld
I connect GCSE PE theory with practical sport, choosing examples and exam questions that help students explain a concept in terms of the activity they experience.
Meet the creatorMichelle Ogunbiyi
I plan adaptable PE fitness and skills work alongside practical fixture arrangements, considering facilities, transport and lesson time while keeping the intended skill visible for different starting points.
Meet the creator
Book and Biscuit
The two-page overarm-throw checklist tracks five points over three attempts, counts “Yes” responses and asks for one teaching point plus a practice drill. Its pictures show a right-handed thrower.
Coffee Before Copies
For ages 9 to 12, the observer stands to the side, records preparation, action and recovery, then gives kind, specific feedback. Wall target, say-it-throw-it and hoop ladder drills connect a tip to further practice.
Five More Minutes
Soft balls or beanbags, a clear area and stopping if anything hurts are stated safety conditions. Adapt the pictured sequence for left-handed pupils while keeping the opposite-foot step and follow-through relationship clear.
Little Lightbulbs
A count out of five describes these three observed attempts, not overall athletic ability. Do not compare partners publicly; choose one clear target and follow the warm-up and safe-area directions.