Unit Plan 16 (Grade 3 PE): Kickball & Base Running

Focus: Develop kicking for distance and placement, improve safe base running, and introduce simple fielding and teamwork in a modified kickball setting.

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: Physical Education (Kickball • Base Running • Fielding & Team Play)

Total Unit Duration: 1 core session + 2 optional sessions (1–3 weeks), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students explore kickball as a lead-up striking and fielding game that combines kicking, running, decision-making, and teamwork. In this unit, students begin with kicking practice to walls or targets and base running practice around cones so they can learn how to strike a ball with control and move safely along a base path. They then apply those skills in Modified Kickball with shorter base paths and an all-time pitcher, where students practice kicking for placement or distance, running the bases under control, and making simple fielding decisions. Throughout the unit, students focus on controlled kicking, safe running around bases, basic fielding responsibilities, and encouraging teammates during game play.

Essential Questions

• How can I kick a ball with better distance or placement?
• What helps me run the bases safely and under control?
• How do I combine kicking, running, and fielding in a game?
• How can teamwork and encouragement help a kickball game run smoothly?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Perform locomotor movements with control while running bases, changing direction, and stopping safely.
2. Kick a stationary or gently rolled ball with improving accuracy and useful force.
3. Combine kicking, running, and basic fielding behaviors during modified kickball play.
4. Adjust effort and force depending on whether the goal is distance, placement, or safe base running.
5. Cooperate with teammates by taking turns, encouraging others, and helping the game run smoothly.

Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S1.3a – Locomotor Skills in Complex Pathways Perform locomotor skills (run, hop, jump, leap, slide, gallop, skip) with control, changing speed and direction in response to cues or game situations.
  • Example: Students navigate a cone course, adjusting speed and direction while avoiding others during a tag-style warm-up.
• PE:S1.3d – Kicking & Dribbling with Feet Dribble a ball with feet using control and change of direction, and kick a stationary or slowly moving ball toward a target or teammate.
  • Example: Students dribble around defenders in a small soccer grid and pass to an open teammate.
• PE:S1.3f – Combining Skills in Small-Sided Games Combine locomotor and object-control skills (run, dodge, throw, catch, strike, kick) in modified small-sided games.
  • Example: Students play 3v3 passing games where they must move to open space, receive a pass, and attempt to score in a goal zone.
• PE:S2.3c – Effort & Force to Match the Task Adjust speed, effort, and force (fast/slow, hard/soft) for successful performance in skills and games.
  • Example: Students throw softly to a nearby partner and with more force to a distant target in a throwing game.
• PE:S4.3b – Cooperation, Encouragement, and Teamwork Cooperate with partners and teams, share equipment, take turns, and encourage others.
  • Example: Students rotate through stations smoothly, give positive feedback to teammates, and help reset equipment.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can kick the ball with control toward space or a target area.
• I can run the bases safely and know where to go next.
• I can combine kicking, running, and simple fielding in a game.
• I can change how hard I kick or run depending on the situation.
• I can encourage teammates and take turns fairly.