Para Track and Field: Seated Throws

Seated shot put and soft discus throws, like the Paralympic seated events. Without the legs, students discover how much the trunk contributes while practicing the push, the turn and safety.

How to play

1. Place 4 gym benches 13 ft apart, with cones every 6 ft out to 40 ft. Groups of 6 per bench: thrower, measurer, retriever and 3 recorders (3 min).
2. Position: bottom down, feet on the floor and free hand gripping the bench, like athletes in an anchored throwing frame (2 min).
3. Shot put: rest the medicine ball against the neck and push it up and out with a trunk turn, never arm-throwing it. 3 practice throws (6 min).
4. Discus: grip the flying disc by the rim, rotate back and release with a long arm at shoulder height. 3 practice throws (6 min).
5. Competition: 2 fair throws per event, measured from the bench edge; record the best (6 min).

Rules

• Nobody walks in front of the benches; collect only on the whistle after everyone has thrown.
• If your bottom leaves the bench, the throw is a foul.
• The shot is pushed from the neck, never thrown like a ball.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: throw from their own chair, brakes on, held by a classmate.
• Visual impairment: touch the direction cones before sitting, and a partner reports the result.
• Fitness level: 2- or 4-lb balls and scoring zones instead of measuring.

Learning goals

• Apply the shot put push technique seated.
• Use trunk rotation to generate force.
• Learn about Paralympic seated throwing events.

Equipment for a class of 25

• medicine ball (1 kg / 2 lb): 4
• Flying discs: 4
• gym benches: 4
• cones: 24
• measuring tape: 4

Teacher tip

Make sure the bench doesn't tip during the turn; if it shifts, have someone sit on the other end. The typical mistake is arm-throwing the medicine ball.

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