Target Data: Score, Graph and Adjust Your Throw

Each student throws at a target made of hoops over four rounds, records their score, plots it on a graph and chooses one adjustment halfway through. It builds accuracy and teaches students to use their own data to improve.

How to play

1. Shoulder warm-up and easy throws from close range (4 min).
2. Explain the target (three hoops: 3, 2 and 1 point) and round 1: five throws from the cone at about 6 m (4 min).
3. Round 2, then plot the first two points on the graph on the log sheet (4 min).
4. In pairs, look at the graph and choose one adjustment: foot position, throw height or arm wind-up (3 min).
5. Rounds 3 and 4 with the adjustment, adding them to the graph (6 min).
6. Read the graph: does the line go up, down or stay flat? Did the adjustment work? (4 min).

Rules

• Nobody goes in for balls until the whole group has thrown.
• Throw only from the cone and only at your own target.
• Each student compares their graph with themselves; there's no ranking.
• Walk to collect the balls.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: throw from a wheelchair with the target closer.
• Students with visual impairments: a partner makes a sound from the center hoop and tells them where each ball landed.
• Students who find graphs hard: use a template with the axes already drawn and place stickers instead of drawing points.

Learning goals

• Improve throwing accuracy.
• Record data and show it on a simple graph.
• Make decisions to improve based on their own data.

Equipment for a class of 25

• hoops: 18
• tennis balls: 30
• log sheets: 28
• pencils: 28
• cones: 6

Teacher tip

If you have tablets, the graph can be made in a spreadsheet, but paper works just as well and never crashes. Common mistake: changing several things at once, so you can't tell what worked.

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