Contact work: supports
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can perform actions while supporting others as well as being supported by a partner safely and effectively.
Key learning points
- Move: maintaining tension in the body enables the supporting performer to control the action more effectively.
- Think: deciding how far to allow a partner to tilt requires paying close attention to their performance.
- Feel: supporting another person safely requires responsibility.
- 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.
Teacher tip
Remind the 'supporter' to adopt a wide base and absorb the weight of their partner gradually.
Equipment
additional materials: suggested music
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is sharing weight between two or more performers while pushing known as?
Q2.What force is applied when performing a counter tension balance?
Q3.What does carefully planning how to perform a counter balance demonstrate?
Q4.Which of the following is not an expressive skill?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What do we call an action where one person bears all or some of the weight of another?
Q2.What do we risk when performing a support without taking responsibility for our own and our partner's actions?
Q3.What should you aim to do with your body when tilting?
Q4.Which of the following is necessary for effective collaboration during contact work?
To help you plan your 6 physical education lesson on: Contact work: supports, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 physical education lesson on: Contact work: supports, 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 Dance: the power of unity unit, dive into the full primary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.