Course:KIN355/2020 Projects/Overhand Throwing

Concept and Its Importance

Overhand throwing is a manipulative single-handed skill where an object is thrown away from the body using an over the shoulder motion. This throwing pattern requires complex motor skills that involve the entire body in a series of linked movements starting from the legs, progressing up through the pelvis then trunk, and culminating in a ballistic motion to propel an object forward. The most common sports games utilizing the overhand throwing pattern include dodgeball, football, water polo, javelin, and baseball (Parenting Counts, 2014). Some of the characteristics of overhand throwing, especially by the age of three, tend to be restricted to arm alone (Marques-Bruna, 1997). It is important that children should have developed the gross motor skills by that age in order to be able to participate in organized sports and activities that require overhand throwing (Kids at Play, 2014). Overhand throwing usually is developed a little later in a child's life as it requires more concentration than other routine activities such as walking or running.

During childhood, the central nervous system matures at an accelerated rate. It is during this stage of development that an excellent potential for skill acquisition exists due to the heightened neural plasticity equivalent to this age group. Neural plasticity can be defined as the ability of the brain to modify its connections to adapt in response to changes in the environment or re-wire itself. Without this ability, the brain would be unable to develop from infancy through to adulthood or to recover from brain injury (Kolb, B., 2011). This hardware of connections also affects mood, behaviour, social skills, intelligence, memory, attention, ability to cope with stress, and the capacity for joy.

The practice of overhand throwing will not only allow physical self-confidence to evolve due to an increase of body awareness, but it will also facilitate the development of bilateral integration (Maskell, 2004), which is the ability to use both sides of the body together, promoting coordination and communication of the left and right hemispheres of the brain. A child with good bilateral integration is able to accomplish many daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and even playing instruments.

Teachers, coaches, parents, and childhood early educators must be aware of the importance of this skill and be responsible for providing children opportunities to practice overhand throwing as the brain can benefit from every experience.

Role in Childhood Development and Contemporary Considerations

The role of overhand throwing in the healthy development of a child includes increasing physical activity, improving proprioception, and refining social skills.

Manipulative skills such as overhand throwing are among the most important and common skills in many play and sports activities during childhood. Overhand throwing proficiency plays a critical role in sports competence and can also positively predict physical activity in the future (Barnett, L. M, 2009). Physical activity during early childhood is imperative for optimal growth and development. Children who do not receive adequate motor skills instructions and opportunities to be physically active throughout the day may demonstrate developmental delays in their gross motor ability (Goodway JD, 2003).

Overhand throwing provides many opportunities for children to improve balance, body, and spatial awareness. Balance as well as body and spatial awareness are related to proprioception. Proprioception is the sense that lets us perceive the movement, the location, and the actions of a part of the body. It encompasses a variety of sensations, including the perception of joint position and movement, muscle force, and effort (Occupational therapy, 2020). Overhand throwing enhances abilities for decision-making and proprioceptive awareness due to the strengthening of visual-motor integration as communication between eyes, brain, and muscles is used to measure the distance to throw effectively. Furthermore, proprioception is important to the brain, as it plays a large role in self-regulation, posture, coordination, body awareness, the ability to focus, and speech (Occupational therapy, 2020).

In typically developing children, there is evidence to suggest that stronger manipulation skills, such as overhand throwing, may support children's ability to navigate complex classroom environments with appropriate social behaviours. Strong manipulation skills provide the foundation for active play and for schoolyard activities that children use to socialize and interact with their peers. Object manipulation skills are used in games and activities that require reciprocal play, like playing catch or soccer. An overhand throwing activity, such as playing baseball, can provide children with more opportunities to practice social skills, such as reciprocity, following rules, and social problem-solving. Additionally, opportunities exist to refine children's ability to control their bodies in socially acceptable ways, which taps into aspects of emotional regulation required for avoiding social behavior problems such as aggression and hyperactivity (Westendorp et al., 2014).

Providing quality physical literacy experiences should be everyone's key focus from coaches, teachers, and early childhood educators. Despite the success of many programs such as the "Canadian Sport for Life–Long-Term Athlete Development," community sports and physical activity participation in Canada has decreased. Physical education programs in schools are marginalized, and the sport and community sport delivery system in Canada remains fragmented. There has been rapid growth for sports businesses offering more specialized elite training at ever-younger ages (Sport for Life, 2019).

Some groups, such as individuals with disabilities, indigenous people, children living in poverty, and isolated communities, remain under-supported and underserviced. The individual needs of these populations are not met through most physical activity programs and sports. Typically, organizations design programs and attempt to make them fit for all groups. This approach is a major factor leading to a lack of interest in sport, and often, disengagement from physical activity altogether (Sport for Life, 2019).

Another contemporary issue is that children are currently moving less and driven everywhere or walked to daycare in strollers. Technology is the new way to pass the time, alone or with friends, no matter the age. Children are not spend the time to experiment with their movements and learn about the biomechanics involved in throwing. An increase in technology usage at home has resulted in long periods of sedentary behaviours, which have lead to icnreased rates of obesity, low self- regulation, and little social interaction.

Practical Applications

Dodgeball

Rationale:

The purpose of dodgeball is to hit the members of the other team, using foam balls below the shoulder, before your team is eliminated. Dodgeball is a game that allows participants to work on hand eye coordination while raising their heartrate (Health Fitness Revolution, 2020). Lastly dodgeball tests players reflexes and reaction time (Health Fitness Revolution, 2020).

Target Age:

This game is for age 10 and up. Dodgeball should be played by older children because players need to be physically mature enough to hold the balls in one hand and well as strong enough throw the ball to the other side of the gym. They also need to have enough accuracy to prevent injuries to the head. Modifications can be made to challenge students.

Equipment Needed:

Dodgeball should be played in a gymnasium. Larger gyms can be used for older students. The only equipment needed for dodgeball are foam or soft balls. Size of balls can depend on the age and size of children. If the modification game is chosen, then benches would also be required.

Instructions:

Teachers will split the kids and the gym in half. Each team gets half of the gym and can not pass the center line. All foam balls will be lined up on the center dividing line. At the teacher’s whistle, student will run to the center line to grab ball and throw them at the other team. If you are hit below the shoulders, you have to sit out till the round is done or another player catches a ball before it touches a ground. If an air ball is caught, the person who threw it is out and the catcher can pick one player to come back into the game. Anyone who hits another player in the head is automatically out and the person hit may stay in the game. The game is over when all members of one team have been hit.

Modification:

A modification that can be made for older or more advanced students is to play prison ball. The same rules apply however there will be two “prisons” for out players to go. Those who are hit will have to go to the “prison” on the other team’s side. While there, out players will stand on a bench and try to catch balls from their team. If an out player catches a ball, they are freed and can go back to their side. They can not be hit or throw a ball until they touch the back wall on their own side. Again, the game is over once all members of one team are in prison.

Summary

Overhand throwing is a manipulative skill where an object is thrown using an over the shoulder motion. Contrary to “arm-only” throwing, overhand throwing uses various body parts such as the legs, pelvis, and trunk. Proper overhand throwing form can increase physical self-confidence and bilateral integration. As well, it can help improve proprioception, balance, and spatial awareness. As hand-eye coordination is an integral part of the movement, it strengths visual-motor integration. Social and reciprocal play can be achieved through activities such as dodgeball and catch/throw. These activities also facilitate the development of social skills such as reciprocity, following rules, and problem-solving.

References

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2. Health Fitness Revolution (2020, June 26). Top 10 Health Benefits of Dodgeball. Retrieved November 06, 2020, from https://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-health-benefits-dodgeball/

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12. What is Proprioception and Why Is It Important? Occupational therapy. Retreived from: https://occupationaltherapy.com.au/proprioception/