Using Scoops and Cups in
Physical Education
I have been using single plastic milk jugs and clorox bottles for throwing and catching
scoops for 30 years. Just recently I have begun to use plastic liquid washing detergent
jugs because of the thickness of the bottle. You will find a picture of a Tide bottle below.
Your students and teachers will help you collect them. Today I still use them because
budgets are tight, they are easy to make and they are free. I have developed some
different types of throwing and catching scoops for the older elementary students. Take
a look at these different types of throwing and catching scoops.
The two story scoop with two handles
Try these challenges:
1. Toss a ball with your hand/turn the scoop over and catch it.
2. Toss a ball from the scoop/turn the scoop over and catch it.
3. Toss the ball with your dominant hand.
4. Toss the ball with your non-dominant hand.
Side by side milk jug
Try these challenges:
1. Toss a ball from one side to the other.
2. Try the challenge with your non-dominant hand.
3. Bounce the ball and catch it with the right side.
4. Bounce the ball and catch it with the left side.
5. Try it with a partner.
6. Toss a ball to a wall and catch with the right scoop.
7. Toss a ball to a wall and caatch with the left scoop.
Side by side using both hands at once
Try these challenges:
1. Toss the ball and catch it with the right scoop.
2. Toss the ball and catch it with the left scoop.
3. Toss the ball in the air from the scoop let if bounce and catch with the other side.
4. Place the ball between the scoops and toss it and catch it.
Side by side angle scoop
1. Toss a ball from one side to the other.
2. Try the challenge with your non-dominant hand.
3. Bounce the ball and catch it with the right side.
4. Bounce the ball and catch it with the left side.
5. How many times can you throw and catch without a miss?
6. Try it with a partner.
7. Toss a ball to a wall and catch with the right scoop.
8. Toss a ball to a wall and caatch with the left scoop.
Try different sizes of scoops.
Half gallon milk carton Tide liquid detergent bottle
A smaller plastic container
To make scoops you can use plastic milk jugs, clorox bottles, and detergent bottles. Make sure
you wash them out before you use them. I used a high temperature hot glue gun to stick the
plastic jugs together. I have used bean bags, whiffle balls, tennis balls and hackey sacks, and evenpaper balls. Allow time for student exploration by challenging them to come up with a student
designed activity. They will surprise you.
A Small Plastic Cup
You can use a small plastic cup and a small inexpensive no bounce ball for throwing and catching.
Try these challenges:
1. Throw the ball with the dominant hand and catch the ball with the cup.
2. Throw the ball with the non-dominant hand and catch the ball with the cup.
3. Place the ball in the cup and throw the ball and catch the ball from the dominant side.
4. Place the ball in the cup and throw the ball and catch the ball from the non-dominant side.
5. Place the ball on the top of the cup and toss the ball and catch it with the dominant side.
6. Place the ball on the top of the cup and toss the ball and catch it with the non-dominant side.
7. Place one ball in your hand and one in the cup. Toss the ball from the cup and place the one
in your hand into the cup. Try if from the dominant and non-dominant side.
8. Place one ball in your hand and one in the cup. Toss the ball from your hand into the air. Take
ball from the cup and place it in your hand. Try it from the dominant and non-dominant side.
9. Place a cup in each hand. Use one ball. Toss from one side to another.
10. Watch your students and see what they can come up with. Stop your students after a few
minutes and have them share their challenge with the class.
Here are some pictures of our students using scoops.
A student working with a two-sided scoop.
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