Shot Against the Wall: Hit the High Chalk Mark
Students push a medicine ball at a wall from the shot put position, aiming at chalk marks at different heights. It trains an up-and-out release without needing a big field.
How to play
- Each group of four draws three chalk marks on the wall: low, middle and high; throwing cone 2–3 m away (3 min).
- Two-hand chest pushes to the middle mark, catching after the bounce (4 min).
- One-hand pushes from the neck in the power position: hit above the middle mark (5 min).
- Group challenge: each student picks a target mark and scores a point for hitting it; switch hands in the last round (5 min).
- Share-out: what changes in your legs when you aim high? (3 min).
Rules
- Minimum distance from the wall is marked by the cone.
- Waiting students stand to the side, never between thrower and wall.
- Let the ball bounce before catching it.
- Push it; never throw the ball overhead at the wall.
Variations
Easier
Light ball and low mark.
Standard
Medium ball and three marks.
Harder
Side step first and high mark with the weak hand in the last round.
Adaptations
- Visual impairment: a wide target zone instead of marks, and a partner says 'high' or 'low' after each push.
- Wheelchair user: seated push closer to the wall with a light ball.
- Finger injury: two-hand push with a soft ball.
Learning goals
- Direct the push up and out.
- Practice shot put in small spaces.
- Link leg drive to release height.
Equipment for a class of 25
- medicine balls: 8
- chalk: 8
- cones: 8
Teacher tip
Check beforehand that the wall can take impacts and has no windows nearby. Four groups per wall is enough; old leather balls split, rubber ones last longer.
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