KS2 · Physical education · Year 5

Shot put

Athletics: enhanced athletic challenges

Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.

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Your learning goal

I can use the correct shot put technique and understand how to use my body to throw it further.

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Shot put: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.

What you’ll learn

I can use the correct shot put technique and understand how to use my body to throw it further.

Key learning points

Move: to throw the shot put, hold it in the fingertips, feet wide apart and the shot under the chin with elbow up.
Move: when releasing the shot, rotate the hips, push straight up and away from under the chin whilst extending the arm.
Think: evaluating each other's shot put technique to identify strengths and weaknesses will improve performance.
Feel: continuing to practise our throws shows we have the motivation to try to improve the distance we can achieve.
Connect: be supportive and encourage others when they are struggling with their performance.

Words to know

shot put: an athletics event in which an athlete throws a heavy object called a "shot" as far as possible
rotate: using the hips to create momentum and power before releasing the shot
performance: how well we are able to execute a skill

Common mistakes

Pupils just use their arm strength to throw the shot, not realising the importance of using their legs to generate power.

Ensure pupils are crouching down into their back leg and pushing off strongly to create power when releasing the shot. Remind pupils that shot put is a push, not a throw.

For parents, carers and teachers

Using beanbags in the first cycle will allow pupils to focus on the technique and not worry about distance. Pupils will realise that if they release the beanbag towards the ground, it will skid out of the hoop, emphasising the need to push the beanbag up and high.