Underhand serve towards a vertical target

See the video

Organisation:

1 ball for 1 or 2 pupils
Target drawn on the wall (circle of 1m in diameter with a centre at 2.50 m from the floor)

Aim of the task:

Reach the target drawn on the wall

This target gives a landmark equivalent to passing over the net. It's the preferred tool to spot and correct variations in direction (high / low, right / left) in relation to:

  • ball hold (stable, at thigh level, aligned with and in front of the shoulder on the hitting side)
  • arm travel (direction of the swing in direction of the target)
  • point of impact on the hand (palm of the hand, fist clenched and facing up)
  • point of impact on the ball (this can be spotted with an "equator" as for a globe).
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See the video

Individual work on a target favours concentration and skill refining through a correction of the gaps real impact / target aimed at. It enables the volume of repetition necessary to any learning, each at their pace.

Working in pairs enables mutual help and correction. Formalising the communication references between the players is a form of assimilation of these references.

One rule to remember: "the ball is obedient".

If it doesn't go to the right place it's because I didn't give it the right direction. I understand it through the questions:

  • Where was the ball at the time of hitting?
    In front of the right shoulder? At thigh level? yes | no
  • In which direction dies my arm swing?
    After the hit I see my hand:
    In direction of the target? yes | no
  • Where do I hit the ball?
    In the middle? Underneath? On the side?
  • What do I hit with?
    The palm of the hand (fist closed)? The forearm? The fingers?
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