Many British pupils cannot even catch a ball

London - A British expert has warned that over thousands of children in the country are unable to throw or catch a ball since schools and parents are neglecting the children's basic physical skills.

According to Jeanne Keay, of Roehampton University, poorly trained primary school teachers are failing to give effective physical education lessons, Daily Mail reported.

Keay, a former physical education teacher, says they allow pupils to play games such as football without first helping them to build movement skills, such as throwing, catching, jumping, hopping and even walking in a straight line.

Stating that parents also often failed to encourage children, she has called for changes to the curriculum for physical education to give a better grounding in key skills.

Research of over 500 teachers by Jon Spence, also of Roehampton varsity, found that 47 percent had been given 10 hours or less of training in teaching physical educaiton.

"The quality of training for teachers in primary schools is not even close to where it needs to be if we're to ensure our children learn and develop well and so enjoy physical activity," said Keay.