The application of PVC baseball in school Physical education courses

Teaching of basic skills
Teaching on holding and throwing the ball: In physical education classes, teachers can first explain to students the way to hold a PVC baseball. Because the surface of the PVC baseball is relatively smooth, teachers can let students hold the ball naturally with their fingers to feel the appropriate grip force. When teaching pitching, taking advantage of the light weight of PVC baseballs, students are first asked to practice pitching in place at close range to experience the force application of the arm and the Angle of the pitch. For instance, have the students stand 3 to 5 meters away from the wall, throw the ball towards it, observe the rebound of the ball, and then adjust the force and direction of the throw accordingly. As students’ skills improve, gradually increase the pitching distance to enable them to master the pitching techniques at different distances.
Batting action training: Use PVC baseballs in combination with lightweight plastic bats for batting training. The teacher first demonstrates the correct hitting posture, including standing posture, holding method, swing trajectory, etc. Let the students hold the bats and practice swinging them in the air against the stationary PVC baseball to familiarize themselves with the movements and rhythms of the swings. Then, the teacher or students throw the ball while the students practice hitting the ball. Because PVC baseball is relatively soft in texture, even if the hit is not accurate, it will not cause significant harm to students, reducing their fear and facilitating their better mastery of hitting skills.
Team games and competitions
Batting relay race: Students are divided into several groups, and each group of students hits the ball in turn. Set up the pitching point at one end of the field and the target area at the other end. The first student hits the thrown PVC baseball. After hitting the ball to the target area, he quickly runs back to the team and high-fives the next student. The next student then hits the ball. This cycle repeats itself. The group that finishes all the students’ shots first and hits the target area the most times wins. This way of playing games can cultivate students’ teamwork spirit and competitive awareness, while improving their batting ability and running speed.
Small baseball games: Organize small baseball games based on students’ ages and skill levels. Divide the students into two teams, and the number of people in each team can be determined according to the actual situation. Play the game using PVC baseballs and bats suitable for students, and set simple game rules such as scoring rules and out rules. During the competition, students need to apply the skills they have learned, such as throwing, batting and catching, and closely cooperate with their teammates to strive for winning the game. Through the competition, students can better experience the joy of baseball and improve their practical skills and psychological quality.
Safety and adaptability considerations
Safety Assurance: PVC baseball is lighter and softer than traditional baseball, and its use in physical education courses significantly reduces the risk of students getting injured. During the process of throwing and batting, even if the ball accidentally hits the body, it will not cause serious injury. Meanwhile, teachers should emphasize safety precautions in the course, such as paying attention to the positions of classmates around when throwing the ball and not running to the throwing area immediately after hitting the ball, to ensure that students can carry out activities in a safe environment.
Adapt to different age groups: The usage method and course difficulty of PVC baseball can be adjusted for students of different age groups. For lower-grade students, larger and lighter PVC baseballs can be used to reduce the difficulty of pitching and batting, making it easier for them to master basic skills. For instance, prepare PVC baseballs with a diameter of approximately 7 to 8 centimeters and a weight of around 60 to 100 grams for first-grade students. For senior students, the weight and difficulty of the baseball can be appropriately increased to enhance their skill level and challenge.