New
New
Year 6

Contact work: supports

I can perform actions while supporting others as well as being supported by a partner safely and effectively.

New
New
Year 6

Contact work: supports

I can perform actions while supporting others as well as being supported by a partner safely and effectively.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: maintaining tension in the body enables the supporting performer to control the action more effectively.
  2. Think: deciding how far to allow a partner to tilt requires paying close attention to their performance.
  3. Feel: supporting another person safely requires responsibility.
  4. Connect: to demonstrate support effectively, the performers need to trust each other and collaborate.

Keywords

  • Support - to bear all or part of the weight of another

  • Connect - the point of contact

  • Tilting - to move into a sloping position

Common misconception

When being supported by someone you don't have to do anything.

It helps the 'supporter' if the 'supported' person is still, but they need to remain alert and actively hold their body firm, which makes it much easier for the 'supporter' to absorb their weight and return them to an upright position.


To help you plan your year 6 physical education lesson on: Contact work: supports, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Remind the 'supporter' to adopt a wide base and absorb the weight of their partner gradually.
Teacher tip

Equipment

additional materials: suggested music

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

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4 Questions

Q1.
What is sharing weight between two or more performers while pushing known as?

a pushing force
Correct answer: a counter balance
contact work

Q2.
What force is applied when performing a counter tension balance?

pushing
Correct answer: pulling
gravity

Q3.
What does carefully planning how to perform a counter balance demonstrate?

empathy
resilience
Correct answer: responsibility

Q4.
Which of the following is not an expressive skill?

Correct answer: flexibility
extension
musicality

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
What do we call an action where one person bears all or some of the weight of another?

a counter balance
Correct answer: a support
contact work

Q2.
What do we risk when performing a support without taking responsibility for our own and our partner's actions?

exhaustion
poor timing
Correct answer: injury

Q3.
What should you aim to do with your body when tilting?

Correct answer: maintain some tension
be floppy
move about

Q4.
Which of the following is necessary for effective collaboration during contact work?

Correct answer: trust
strength
stamina

Additional material

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