The hurdles
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand and apply the correct hurdling technique to jump safely and efficiently.
Key learning points
- Move: When hurdling, we must look forward, drive the lead knee up, step over the hurdle and bend the trailing leg.
- Move: we should use a consistent stride pattern between the hurdles, leading with the same leg each jump.
- Think: observing others and evaluating their performance can help us to improve our hurdle technique.
- Feel: managing our emotions is important when hurdling as we may get frustrated if we knock a hurdle over.
- Connect: communicating with others and providing feedback is vital for the development of their technique.
Keywords
Hurdle - a physical barrier that runners must jump over during a race
Lead leg - the leg that goes over the hurdle first
Trail leg - the leg that follows over the hurdle after the lead leg
Common misconception
Pupils jump as high as possible when attempting to clear a hurdle which can slow them down and negatively effect their rhythm.
Pupils need to focus on their technique to help them jump the hurdles efficiently with a flat technique.
Teacher tip
Ensure hurldes are placed down the correct way, so that they tip forward if they are knocked by a pupil. Pupils should only jump over the hurdles the correct way to avoid them tripping.
Equipment
30+ cones, hurdles, 30+ beanbags
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.When preparing to throw a shot, where should you hold it?
Q2.Which word describes how well you execute a skill?
Q3.What should you do when others are struggling?
Q4.Which athletic event requires you to jump over objects whilst sprinting?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is the barrier called that runners must jump over in a hurdles race?
Q2.What should you do if you knock over a hurdle in a race?
Q3.What is the negative impact of jumping as high as you can to clear every hurdle?
Q4.How can you support other pupils to make improvements with their technique?
To help you plan your 5 physical education lesson on: The hurdles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 physical education lesson on: The hurdles, 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 2 physical education lessons from the Athletics: enhanced athletic challenges unit, dive into the full primary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.