Balance
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand the importance of balance when playing sport and can move with balance and control.
Key learning points
- Move: moving with balance and control can help you to be successful in physical activities.
- Move: a balanced body position and controlled movement helps with activities that require aim and accuracy.
- Think: concentration and focus help you to move with balance and control.
- Feel: encouraging others and listening to their ideas demonstrates empathy.
- Connect: challenging ourselves to try different techniques and ideas shows self-belief.
Keywords
Balance - keeping a steady and stable body position
Control - moving and placing your body in the position you want
Focus - concentrating on your movements to perform them with high quality
Common misconception
Some pupils may think that balancing is only about staying completely still.
Activities such as riding a bike, skateboarding, surfing, throwing darts, basketball shooting, long jump etc., all need a well-balanced and controlled body position whilst the athlete is still moving.
Teacher tip
Remind pupils that good performance means showing balance and control; it is not necessarily about always hitting the target. Some of the challenge activies in these practice tasks are optional and will depend on the equipment that you have available.
Equipment
beanbags (1 per pupil), hoops (1 per pupil), 30+ cones, low hurdles, chalk/floor markers
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of these means the opposite of fast?
Q2.What can help you to understand how your partner is feeling?
Q3.In which of these sports do we sometimes stay completely still and hold our bodies in an interesting shape?
Q4.Which of these body parts helps most with balance?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How can balance help you in sporting activities?
Q2.How should we move our arms when we are throwing an object?
Q3.What do our feet create when we are well balanced?
Q4.Which of these is very important when moving with control and balance?
To help you plan your 2 physical education lesson on: Balance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 physical education lesson on: Balance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 1 physical education lessons from the Health and wellbeing: agility, balance and coordination unit, dive into the full primary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.