Beanbag Shot Put

Pretending to be shot putters, children hold the beanbag against their neck and push it far from inside a hoop. It is athletics through play that works on the pushing throw, leg and arm strength, and posture.

How to play

1. The teacher shows the move: beanbag against the neck, elbow high, knees bent and push to the sky! (2 min).
2. Without throwing, we practice the move with the beanbag several times, with one arm and then the other (1 min).
3. From inside a hoop, everyone throws at the same time toward the empty area; when we hear "Pick up!" we all go get the beanbags (4 min).
4. We lay ropes on the ground as distance lines: near, middle and far, and each child sees which line they reached (4 min).
5. We sit in our hoop and roll our shoulders and arms in circles to relax them (2 min).

Rules

• We all throw in the same direction.
• We only go pick up when the teacher says so.
• The beanbag is pushed from the neck, not thrown from behind.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: throw from the wheelchair using the same push and a lighter beanbag.
• Hearing impairment: give the throw and pick-up signals with a colored scarf.
• Less skill: a bigger, softer beanbag that is easy to grip.

Learning goals

• Throw by pushing an object from the neck.
• Coordinate legs and arm in a throw.
• Follow throw and pick-up signals to play safely.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Beanbags: 25
• Ropes: 3
• Hoops: 6

Teacher tip

Everyone in one line, all throwing the same way: that's the most important safety rule. The typical mistake is throwing overhand like a ball, so keep saying "push, don't throw".

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