Sector Closed: Throwing Safety Drill

A drill with foam javelins that rehearses the risky moments in a throwing area: someone walks in without permission, a throw goes wide or someone gets hit. The class practices what to do in each case.

How to play

1. Set up the sector with cones and a waiting area behind the line, and explain the 'throw', 'retrieve' and 'stop' signals (4 min).
2. Normal throwing round to lock in the routine (4 min).
3. Scenario 1: a volunteer in a pinnie walks into the sector uninvited; at the shout of 'Stop!' everyone drops their javelin and stays still (3 min).
4. Scenario 2: a simulated throw goes wide; someone shouts 'Heads up!' and anyone nearby protects their head while watching the object (3 min).
5. Scenario 3: simulated hit; the activity stops, the teacher is called, nobody moves the 'injured' student and someone stays with them (4 min).
6. Run through the three responses out loud (2 min).

Rules

• Scenarios are simulated: nobody throws toward a person.
• The volunteer enters only when no javelins are in the air.
• On 'Stop!', everyone puts gear on the ground.
• In the hit scenario, only the teacher touches the 'injured' student.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf or hard of hearing: each signal has a matching gesture or flag, practiced first.
• Visual impairment: a buddy relays 'Stop!' with a touch on the shoulder.
• Anxiety: may watch and then explain the routine instead of taking part in the hit scenario.

Learning goals

• Know and apply the throwing safety routine.
• React correctly to a risky situation.
• Know how to respond to an injury: stop, alert, don't move them.

Equipment for a class of 25

• foam javelins: 10
• cones: 12
• pinnies: 3
• whistle: 1

Teacher tip

Do this in the first throwing class and repeat a surprise 'Stop!' in later sessions. Make it clear the rule is the same with real implements, just with zero room for error.

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