Medicine Ball Throw: Release Angle on Video

Groups of four throw a medicine ball forward overhead with different trajectories and measure the release angle on video. They relate angle, release height and distance to find their own optimal angle.

How to play

1. Shoulder and trunk warm-up with the ball: rotations, bounce passes and easy two-hand throws (4 min).
2. Explain the forward overhead throw and form groups of four: thrower, side-on filmer 5 meters away, distance measurer and recorder (3 min).
3. Each thrower takes four tries with different trajectories: low, medium, high and whatever they think is best; every throw is filmed and measured (8 min).
4. Pause the video at the moment the ball leaves the hands and measure the angle with a video analysis app's protractor tool or right on the screen (6 min).
5. Using the group's data, decide which range of angles went farthest and why it isn't exactly 45 degrees (4 min).

Rules

• The landing zone is clear and marked with cones.
• Throw only when the measurer signals, and roll the ball back, never throw it.
• Use 2-3 kg (4-6 lb) balls.
• The filmer stands to the side, never in front of the thrower.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair user: throws seated with a 1 kg ball and does the same analysis.
• Shoulder injury: serves as the group's filmer and analyst.
• Coordination difficulties: throws from a kneeling position to simplify the movement.

Learning goals

• Identify a throw's release angle using video.
• Relate angle, release height and distance.
• Apply a coordinated extension of legs, trunk and arms when throwing.

Equipment for a class of 25

• medicine ball: 7
• tablets or phones: 7
• tape measure: 7
• cones: 14

Teacher tip

There are free video analysis apps with a protractor tool; otherwise a clear protractor held on the tablet works. This is a great task to team up with the Physics department.

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