Athletics - Lesson 3

In the third lesson of the Year 2 Athletics programme, students are set to develop their ability to adjust running speeds over different distances. The lesson is structured to ensure that by the end, pupils will have honed their sprinting abilities, maintained a steady pace for prolonged periods, and improved their hurdling skills at increased speeds. The key vocabulary for this session includes terms such as running, speed, endurance, consistency, shuttles, hurdles, and recovery, all of which are integral to the athletic activities planned. To facilitate the lesson, equipment such as cones, mini-hurdles, taller hurdles, and stopwatches are required.

The lesson begins with a warm-up consisting of dynamic stretches, preparing the muscles for the physical exertion ahead. Pupils are divided into groups and perform stretches like side-steps, high knees, heel kicks, lunges, and squats in a controlled manner. The main part of the session is a 35-minute running circuit with four different activities: 'Minute on, minute off' endurance runs, 'Sprint there, walk back' speed exercises, 'Hurdle sprint' for agility and speed, and 'Shuttle runs' for quick direction changes and endurance. Each activity is designed to challenge the pupils' abilities and encourage them to surpass their previous efforts. To conclude, a cool-down period involves group stretches and a discussion reflecting on the activities, focusing on which exercises were most challenging or easiest, and how well they worked together as a group.