Sports Skills

Home Drills/Targets

Sports are broken down into pre-sports skills and are practiced with a tutor and then introduced with a peer.

 Swinging

 Riding a bike

 Tee Ball

hold bat with proper grip
batting stance
swing bat
hit ball
run the bases in order (start with running all of the bases at first)

 Ball Play

catch a ball
throw underhand
throw back and forth with tutor

 Race--run a race to a specified point.

Lining up at starting line (work up to a line of peers)
Running to finish line (can use a visual cue, like a line to cross or a suspended rope)
Stopping after finish line
Identifying the 'winner'

 Soccer

kick ball
kick ball into net
kick back and forth with tutor
kick while running

 Rollerblading or rollerskating. We used four wheel rollerskates at first.

 Basketball

bounce the ball two hands
dribble the ball in place
dribble the ball while walking
throw ball into low hoop

 "Boy" Play

sword fight
gun fight
pillow fight
arm wrestle

 Gross motor activities to improve clumsiness/stumbling. These are ideas sent in by another parent. Jungle bar climbing- requires great deal of motor planning. This can definitely be done in increments as small as needed( we scoped playgrounds) Balance beam- again, can be done in steps. You can make one at home or find at playground. Work on walking straight, walking side ways walking backward Obstacle course- home made using chairs, other household items. Start simple and then make more complex Walks- going on walks has really been a key. We go on very long walks and runs now. We now run at the track but we worked up to this. Swimming- lots of motor planning Gymnastics- again, lots of motor planning. Good centers know where to start the children according to their ability. Many have adult/child classes Skating- this has been a really big one. This has really helped my son with motor planning where he is putting his feet. Jumping off things- when he was younger, we worked on jumping off a curb, then jumping off a step and moved up. Stair climbing Climbing in and out of things( boxes, wading pool, etc. This was suggested to us by an OT) Exercises- any exercise that you can think of for children will help. More ideas for Motor Coordination--from another parent

We recently had a physical therapy evaluation and our physical therapist came up with a list of activities for us to integrate into our son's ABA program. (He is 4 1/2 years old.) These activities are to develop better "proximal stability" and motor coordination. In other words, they will help his stumbling, leaning and bumping into things.

1. On the floor, roll with arms overhead, keeping arms up and legs out straight. Roll slow several times then make a game of it and roll faster to each side. Roll at least three times to each side. Rollin uses both sides of the body working together and it is good for integrating both sides and for proximal strengthening. He should roll in a straight line. You can line up a rope at his feet and one where his hands reach out to and tell him to stay in the lines. One game can be to roll to some containers and knock them over as in bowling. Another way to do this is to roll him up in a blanket and have him unroll himself.

2. Wheelbarrow--holding his legs up in the air ask him to support himself on his arms and to walk on his hands. This is hard at first. If it is too hard, get a large, firm beach ball and have him roll forward onto his arms as you help him to balance there by holding himself for several seconds. Progressively have him push with his hands on the floor to go backwards to his feet. Repeat this several times. This ex. works his upper body and shoulder area to develop strength and motor coordination.

3. Walk outside up inclines such as small hills several times up and down. Walk fast and real slow to challenge his adaptability.

4. Reach up to get a magnet off the refrigerator so that he needs to come up on his toes to reach it. He will use his leg stability to help with this. He is to reach for at least 10 times. he should try to go up on his toes and come down slowly. He can hold onto the refrigerator with his hand flat on the door if needed. Hayes should work away from having to hold the door for balance. At first, put the magnets within reach and then gradually higher so he comes up on his toes.

5. On a large beach ball he can play a game of "airplane." He can picbaggie with sand or a ball from the floor as you help to balance him on the ball at his hips; he is to lift both arms up in the air and hold them for a count of 5. He can then drop it in a basket.

6. Play "mother/father" says games

--squatting and hold position, come up slowly

--hold one leg up in the air briefly (like a stork)

--squat and jump up (like a frog)

--stand on a 6-inch high bench and step off slowly without help. Switch the leading leg and step off again. Repeat several times, progress to higher surfaces to step off of

--stand and jump over a two-inch high object with both legs. If you have a mini tramp you can practice bouncing on it while you hold his hands. He should bend his knees before trying to push up when bouncing.

--gaint steps--place small boxes on floor and hold his hand, ask him to pick his leg up to step in the box. You can use a laundry basket too. The idea is for slow controlled movement while balancing on one leg.

7. Red Light/Green Light Game

Tell him to take steps forwards, backwards or sideways. This activity works on controlling movement to what is being said and grading the movement.

8. Race

Make a distance of 15-20 feet apart and place two balls at one end. Practice racing to stop and pick up one ball and bring it back to the start and return for the second ball. He is to develop better skill at stopping and not falling when he tries to stop.

Home Drills/Targets