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New
Lesson 1 of 6
  • Year 5

Finishing a race

I can finish a sprinting race strong, maintaining speed until I cross the line.

Lesson 1 of 6
New
New
  • Year 5

Finishing a race

I can finish a sprinting race strong, maintaining speed until I cross the line.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: to maintain good sprinting technique we must pump our arms, run on the balls of our feet and keep our head up.
  2. Move: ending the race involves dipping at the finish line by bending forward at the waist as we cross the line.
  3. Think: good sprinting technique means we can run more efficiently and at a greater speed with less effort.
  4. Feel: always trying our best to improve our sprint technique and to win races demonstrates excellent self-motivation.
  5. Connect: encouraging and supporting others can help them and us to improve our sprint technique.

Keywords

  • Sprint - when you run and use all of your energy to go as fast as you can for a short distance

  • Speed - a measure of how quickly we move from one point to another

  • Dip - the technique where runners extend their bodies forward to cross the finish line

Common misconception

Pupils dip at the wrong time, dipping too early, which has a negative impact on their running speed. Often pupils just dip their head forwards, rather than their upper body.

Give pupils opportunities to practise implementing the dip, aiming for around 3 steps before the finish line. Ensure pupils understand that a sprint race is measured when a runners upper body, shoulders cross the line, not their head.


To help you plan your year 5 physical education lesson on: Finishing a race, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If you have access, using ipads to record in cycle 2 will give pupils a chance to watch back their technique and self-assess.
Teacher tip

Equipment

30+ cones, 10 long poles

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What do you need to do at the start of a sprint race?

jog
take big strides
Correct answer: accelerate

Q2.
Which distance race is most suitable for sprinting the whole race?

long
Correct answer: short
both

Q3.
What can improve your sprinting speed?

Correct answer: good technique
looking sideways
no arm movement

Q4.
How can you show self-motivation?

always win
Correct answer: believe in yourself
give up easily

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which word describes running, using all of your energy, to go as fast as you can?

jogging
speed
Correct answer: sprinting

Q2.
What should you do with your body when ending the race?

lean backwards
Correct answer: dip forward
slow down

Q3.
What can help you to believe in yourself when trying to win a race?

communication
integrity
Correct answer: self-motivation

Q4.
What can cause you to slow down before a race is finished?

Correct answer: dipping too early
pumping your arms
focusing forwards