Athletics - Lesson 4

In the fourth lesson of an athletics series for Year 5, the primary objective is to enhance pupils' hurdling abilities. The success criteria for this lesson are twofold: firstly, students should grasp the function of the lead and trail legs in hurdling, and secondly, they should be able to apply their hurdling skills in a competitive context. The key terms for the lesson are 'lead', 'trail', 'leg', and 'hurdle'. To facilitate the lesson, a range of equipment is required, including a large playing space, a stopwatch, marker cones, hurdles, and a whistle. The lesson kicks off with a ten-minute warm-up game called 'Farmer Tag', where two students play the role of farmers trying to tag their peers, who act as crows. Tagged crows become scarecrows and can be freed by untagged crows, adding a dynamic element to the warm-up.

During the main 30-minute session, the focus is on refining hurdling technique. Pupils are reminded of the steps to become successful hurdlers and are encouraged to sprint over hurdles without slowing down. Key teaching points include maintaining head height, driving the lead leg straight at the hurdle, and sweeping the trail leg around the side. Pupils practice over mini hurdles before progressing to higher ones, working in teams to develop lead and trail leg coordination. A hurdles grid is set up with increasing height and distance, and pupils engage in relay activities that culminate in a team sprint over the hurdles. The lesson concludes with a ten-minute cool-down involving a gentle jog and stretching, along with a reflection on the skills learned during the session.