Vince Colucci

Assessment Project

11/7/11

Section 1:

Problem/Objective:

  1. To measure the ability of students to throw a football accurately using the correct form and technique taught during the lesson.

Refining the Problem:

  1. The age group for the students will be around 15-17 years old, sophomores to seniors, and both genders will be tested in the same approach. Students will be exposed to throwing equally during the lesson, and most students will have some outside experience in throwing a football from previous physical education classes or outside sports.
  2. The skill of throwing a football will be instructed to the students several times before they are tested (post test) at the end of the lesson. Students will have plenty amount of class time to practice their throwing, and perfect it to the best of their ability before being tested. On test day, students will be allowed to warm up their arm with a partner prior to participating in the skills test. I will be motivating students, and assessing them based on participation and improvement throughout the lesson. The test is designed to see if students can throw a football accurately, while also controlling how hard they throw it. For example, the student will have to hit different targets at different areas of gymnasium.
  3. When throwing, I will be observing the students to look for proper form and technique. Proper form and technique will consist of the following: Be in a good athletic position at start of the test, have the proper grip/hand positioning on the ball, step with non-dominant foot while having lead shoulder aimed at target, elbow high, hand on top of the ball, release of the ball, follow through, and finally, accuracy. If students can complete all of these steps then they should be able to pass the skills test with relative ease.

Instrumentation and Methodology:

  1. The students will have the opportunity to score up to 10 points on the skills test. The first 7 steps listed above will account for 7 of the 10 points, with accuracy counting for 3 points. There will be three targets placed in different areas of the gymnasium, and students will have three chances at each target. The best throw at each target will be counted, and the score of the best throw at each target will be averaged to get the students grade. Accuracy will be worth 3 points if students make it into/through the target, 2 points if they hit the target, and 1 point for throws that land in the marked off zones surrounding the targets. No accuracy points will be received if the throw is terrible and lands nowhere near the target. Failing grades will consist of a combination of poor stance, stepping with the wrong foot, the hand underneath the ball (wrist flailing outwards), throwing side-arm, dropping the lead shoulder, no follow through, and improper release.
  2. Equipment/Set-up: The teacher will need to be able to set up the proper equipment reasonably. Do not ask the students to throw the entire length of the gym; in other words don’t set the students up for failure. The test is aimed at guiding form of the throw, not who has the strongest arm in the class. All targets should be similar in formation, and be within most students’ arm strength range. A hanging hula hoop would be the best for this test, but other targets can be substituted. A cone will also be needed across from each target that will mark where the students throw from. For students with disabilities a smaller ball could be used, and the targets can be moved. One could also change where the student is required to throw from.

Facility: The test would be best indoors, but can be done outdoors as well. In the gymnasium would be best because it eliminates any wind factor that may be outside. Students will have to throw from 7, 10, and 15 yards.

Preparation: Students will have all unit to prepare their throw, form and technique. The day before test day the students will have the opportunity to do a practice run. This will be ungraded, and will consist of simply having the targets up the day before the test so students can practice. On test day the instructor will have a form for the students printed with all of the steps they are being graded on.

Time: The test will be one class period in length. If necessary the test will be completed the following day.

Training: Students will have past experiences throwing a football, and will have plentyof time to gain experience throughout the football lesson plan to learn how to throw correctly.

Analysis of Results:

  1. A passing grade will be a 6.5 or higher. Half points will be given at the teacher’s discretion for limited completion of steps. There is no need for points to be converted to a letter grade this will count as 1/20th or 5% of their overall physical education grade, which will be calculated with numbers first. Doctor’s notes will be accepted for any student with an injury that limits them from throwing. Students will return to the side game after completion of the test.

Section 2:

Scale/Instrument/Form:

Football Form and Accuracy Test

Teacher: ______Date:

Grade: ______Class:

Purpose: To measure the ability of students to throw a football accurately using the correct form taught during the lesson.

Directions: Each student will complete the test as the teacher observes for proper form, technique and accuracy. The teacher will be looking for the completion of the steps listed below. Half points will be awarded for partial completion. The highest grade awarded can be 10 points, and the lowest grade could be a 0. The students get 3 tries at each target, and the best score for each target will count. There will be three targets, and the three best scores will be averaged.

-Good athletic position at start of drill – 1 pt.

- Proper grip and hand positioning – 1pt.

- Step with non-dominant foot while having lead shoulder aimed at target – 1 pt.

-Elbow must be high and make an L – 1 pt.

- Hand on top of the ball – 1 pt.

- Smooth release of the ball – 1pt.

- Follow through – 1 pt.

- Accuracy – 3 pts. for a throw through the target, 2pts. for hitting the target, and 1 pt. for landing the ball in the area marked off around the target.

STUDENT: / BEST SCORE FROM TARGET 1 / BEST SCORE FROM TARGET 2 / BEST SCORE FROM TARGET 3 / FINAL SCORE

Reference: Author unknown, “How to throw a football – Instructables” Instructables – 6 step process to throwing a football –Date of creation – unknown.