Unit Plan 16 (Grade 5 PE): Kickball — Positioning & Situational Play

Focus: Develop kick placement, base-running strategy, defensive decision-making, and team communication through warm-up drills and game play that emphasize where to throw, when to run, and how to support teammates.

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: Physical Education (Striking & Fielding Games • Tactics & Team Play • Communication & Decision-Making)

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

I. Introduction

Students build kickball understanding by learning that success in the game depends on much more than kicking the ball hard. In this unit, students practice kicking with placement, running bases with smarter timing, and making quick decisions on defense about where to throw and which out to try for. The warm-up includes kicking and running tasks that help students rehearse tagging up, advancing on fly balls, and moving safely between bases. During kickball games, students rotate through a variety of fielding positions so they can experience the game from different perspectives and better understand both offense and defense. Throughout the unit, students learn to communicate clearly, support teammates, and make choices based on the game situation rather than reacting randomly.

Essential Questions

• How can I use kick placement to create a better offensive advantage than simply kicking as hard as possible?
• How do base runners decide when to run, when to stop, and when to tag up?
• How do defenders decide where to throw and which out gives the team the best chance of success?
• How does strong communication help both the kicking team and the fielding team?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Perform locomotor movements such as sprinting, stopping, changing direction, and rounding bases with control and safe transitions.
2. Kick a ball with improving placement, force, and directional control in game-like situations.
3. Combine multiple skills in sequence, such as kick → run → round base → react to the ball, or field → throw → cover base.
4. Adjust timing, force, and decision-making based on game situations such as fly balls, force plays, and runners on base.
5. Apply basic offensive strategy by choosing when to advance, when to hold, and where to place kicks.
6. Apply basic defensive strategy by communicating, choosing the best throw, and helping cover important bases.
7. Work cooperatively by rotating positions fairly, encouraging teammates, and including all players in game play.

Standards Alignment — 5th Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S1.5a – Locomotor Skills with Speed, Control, and Transitions Perform locomotor movements (run, hop, jump, leap, slide, gallop, skip) with control, using changes in speed and direction smoothly in game and activity settings.
  • Example: Students use quick accelerations, controlled stops, and sharp directional changes while playing tag, invasion games, or in relay events.
• PE:S1.5d – Kicking, Dribbling & Ball Control in Game Play Dribble, pass, and shoot a ball with the feet using both dominant and non-dominant sides, adjusting speed, direction, and force in game contexts.
  • Example: Students maintain control while dribbling through defenders in a soccer game, then pass or shoot accurately at appropriate times.
• PE:S1.5f – Combining Multiple Skills in Game Sequences Combine multiple skills (dribble, pass, catch, strike, run, dodge, jump, shoot) fluently and appropriately during game-like sequences.
  • Example: In a modified invasion game, a student dribbles to space, passes to a teammate, cuts toward the goal, receives a return pass, and shoots.
• PE:S2.5c – Adjusting Effort, Force, and Timing for Task Demands Adjust speed, force, angle, and timing of movements based on distance, defenders, and type of shot, pass, or throw required.
  • Example: Students throw softly to a nearby teammate but use greater force and a higher angle when throwing over defenders to a distant partner.
• PE:S2.5d – Offensive Strategies: Creating & Using Advantages Apply basic offensive strategies such as creating numerical advantages, give-and-go, using screens, and selecting high-percentage scoring opportunities.
  • Example: In 3v3 basketball or handball, students set simple screens, drive to draw a defender, then pass to an open teammate for a better shot.
• PE:S2.5e – Defensive Strategies: Marking, Containment, & Help Defense Apply defensive strategies including marking a player, maintaining proper body position, containing attackers, and providing help defense.
  • Example: Students stay between their assigned player and the goal, communicate switches, and step in to help when a teammate is beaten on defense.
• PE:S4.5b – Cooperation, Leadership, and Inclusive Team Behavior Work cooperatively with classmates, take on and rotate leadership roles, and actively include others regardless of skill level or background.
  • Example: During group games, students volunteer as captains or equipment managers, ensure everyone has a role, and invite quieter classmates to join.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can kick the ball with better placement and not just power.
• I can run bases with control and make smarter choices about when to advance or stay.
• I can react to the game by deciding where to throw or which base to run to.
• I can communicate with teammates so our team can make better offensive and defensive decisions.
• I can rotate through positions fairly and help include everyone in the game.