Minds On

Receiving 101

What does it mean to receive something? Consider how our bodies move and explore the following images for examples of people receiving objects.

A person is crouched down preparing to catch a baseball. They hold a baseball glove outstretched in front of them.

Catching a ball

A frisbee flies towards a person who has their arm outstretched and hand open to catch the frisbee.

Catching a frisbee

A boy prepares to catch a football by opening his hands in front of his chest.

Catching a football

A person smiles while looking at a mobile device.

Reading a text message

A person hands another person a package.

Getting a package delivery

Brainstorm

In what sports, games, and physical activities do participants receive objects?

Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

Action

Styles of receiving

Receiving is a skill with the intention of catching an incoming object. For example, catching, trapping, and collecting are all forms of receiving!

When you are practising this skill, it is important to be aware of the object and to anticipate where it will land. This helps you move into a ready position.

Let’s explore various strategies for receiving objects.

Receiving an object below the chest

Press the tabs to access the steps to receive an object below the chest.

Focus on the object.

Stay behind the object.

Cup your hands in a bowl shape.

Bring the object to your body.

Receiving an object above the chest

Press the tabs to access the steps to receive an object that is above your chest.

Focus on the object.

Stay behind the object.

Put your hands together in a triangle shape. The tips of your pointer fingers and the tips of your thumbs should be touching each other.

Bring the object to your body.

Student Tips

Student tip

As you complete the following activities, remember that time and practice are needed to develop the skill of catching.

Grab it!

Let’s practise our receiving skills with some fun activities!

Safety

Before you begin, consider these safety precautions:

Wear comfortable clothing and proper shoes for the activity. Use the appropriate equipment for the activity. Be sure to check your equipment before use. If you are unsure if the equipment you are using is safe, please check in with a teacher and/or parent/guardian. Complete the activity in a safe environment with enough space, so you aren’t bumping into any objects. Listen to your body. Do the modifications, take breaks or stop the activity if you are feeling unwell.

Fragile objects

Make sure you have open space around you. If possible, have a partner toss the ball to you.

If you do not have someone to throw you the ball, bounce it against a wall. Check that this is safe to do and that there are no objects that might get broken.

Equipment

If possible, these activities should be completed with the following equipment:

something you can catch, like rolled-up socks, a cushion, a ball, a small bean bag or a shoelace
tape
chalk

Diamond send and receive

In this activity, you will learn to catch objects above and below the chest with one or two hands.

Get started

Set up two markers on a wall using tape.

Have one above your head and the other near your feet.
Toss the object using an underhand throw to either the top or bottom marker and catch it on the bounce.
Switch which marker you aim for after every throw.

Depending on your throw, you will:

toss and catch below the chest
toss and catch above the chest

Modifications: Diamond send and receive

Press the following tabs to access different ways to complete this activity.

Toss with your other hand.

Move back to increase the distance.

Try catching while in different positions. For example, you could be crouched low to the floor, or you could be balancing on one leg or performing another balance pose.

Below or above?

As you move through this activity, record which marker resulted in a catch below or above your chest. You may use the Diamond Send and Receive organizer in your notebook or the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.

Marker you aimed for (top or bottom):	Where you caught the throw (below or above the chest):
1.	1.
2.	2.
3.	3.
4.	4.

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Diamond Send and Receive.

Activity

Clap catch

Clap Catch is played by throwing a ball against the wall and clapping your hands before catching it. Here’s how we’ll switch up the movements for each throw:

Throw the ball against the wall and clap your hands once behind your back before catching the ball.
On the second throw, clap behind your back, then in front before catching the ball.
On the third throw, clap back, front, back, and then catch the ball.

Continue to see how many times you can clap and still catch the ball. Move closer or farther way, throw the ball higher or lower, and test your skills.

Modifications: Clap catch

You may remove the throwing and receiving part of the game and focus just on clapping. Practise clapping behind your back, over your head, and side to side.

Cool Down

Let’s slow down

It is time to rest our bodies. Before you pause and reflect on what you have learned, we need to cool down from our exercise.

Slow your heart rate with deep breaths and stretches.

Explore the following images for two different stretches to help you cool down.

Toe Touches

If you can, reach and touch your toes. While standing or sitting, keep your body loose and bend forward. Let your fingers hang down towards your toes.

Shoulder Stretch

If you can, let’s stretch our shoulders! Either standing or in a seated position, bring your right arm straight in front of you at shoulder height. Cross your other arm over your right arm and bring it flat across your chest. Repeat with your left arm.

Consolidation

Above or below

A girl prepares to throw a ball. She holds the ball in front of her and above her shoulders.

Now that we’ve had a chance to explore different ways of catching, let’s try to predict which type of throw results in a catch above or below the chest.

Explore the following statements about types of throws. Select the correct answer, then press “Check Answer” to see how you did.

Coach for the day

Imagine that you are now the coach for your favourite soccer, basketball, or football team, and you are teaching the players on your team how to receive the ball.

Choose an object and a sport of your choice to send and receive. What strategies for receiving will you teach? Include instructions for your players so they can understand how to get better at receiving.

Record your coaching tips in the Receiving Tips graphic organizer in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.

Name of sport:
Object to send and receive:
Tips to improve receiving skill: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Name of sport:

Object to send and receive:

Tips to improve receiving skill:

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Receiving Tips.

Activity

Try It

Try it

You must also demonstrate the skills you learned in the Action section to teach the players of your team. Record yourself completing the movements that you have suggested to your team in a method of your choice.

Let's review

How did where you throw influence how you received an object?
How does movement influence your ability to catch?
How do you know when to use each catching technique?

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel…

I have an excellent understanding of the concepts I have a very good understanding of the concepts I have some understanding but need to review some more my understanding of the concepts needs a lot more work

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

Learning goals

Success criteria

Minds On

Receiving 101

Brainstorm

Action