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Physical Education

Hit the Target

Overview

Children hit a ball or stone with a flat stick or bat, aiming to hit a target area.

Learning Objective
Children develop striking skills by hitting a ball with a bat or stick toward a target.

Resources needed

  • Flat stick or bat
  • Ball or round stone
  • Target marked on ground

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Mark a large target area on the ground.
  2. 2 Hold the bat with two hands, one above the other.
  3. 3 Toss the ball gently and hit it toward the target.
  4. 4 Start with a stationary ball — place it on a small mound of soil.
  5. 5 Count how many hits land in the target area out of 5.
  6. 6 Move further away for more challenge.
  7. 7 Try hitting to different parts of the target.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Partner tosses the ball gently for the other to hit.
  • Score zones — closer to centre scores more.
  • Hit along the ground versus through the air.
More information

Teach: hit, aim, swing, grip, target, score. Demonstrate the two-handed grip and the swing clearly before children try.

Use a larger ball and wider target. Allow the ball to be placed on a mound rather than thrown.

Are children watching the ball until contact? Are they following through toward the target after hitting?

A flat piece of wood or a smooth stick works as a bat. A round stone or tied cloth ball. Target drawn in soil.

Children often look up too early before contact. Teach them to keep eyes on the ball all the way through the hit.

Striking skills are foundational for cricket, rounders, baseball, and tennis. Starting with a stationary ball builds confidence before moving to a thrown ball.

Activity details
Primary Medium 20 minutes 5 minutes prep Pairs, Small Group Outdoor
Topics
Striking Hand-eye Coordination Bat And Ball