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Lesson 5 of 6
  • Year 6

Advanced movements: tic tacs and wall runs

I can perform tic tacs and wall runs confidently, demonstrating safe take-off and landing techniques.

Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
  • Year 6

Advanced movements: tic tacs and wall runs

I can perform tic tacs and wall runs confidently, demonstrating safe take-off and landing techniques.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: tic tacs require strong legs to absorb and redirect impact.
  2. Move: wall runs should be performed at moderate speed with an upright body position to gain maximum height.
  3. Think: understanding where to aim your feet during a tic tac will let you get the most power from the wall.
  4. Feel: bravery and commitment when kicking the wall will let you achieve best performance.
  5. Connect: helping others understand their foot placement can improve their development.

Keywords

  • Tic tacs - a movement where you step off a vertical surface, like a wall or rail, to change direction or gain height

  • Wall runs - a technique where you run towards a vertical wall, place one foot on it and push upward

  • Height - how high off the ground you move, jump, climb or drop during a technique or sequence

Common misconception

Pupils often place their foot too low on the wall which affects their ability absorb and redirect impact. Pupils sometimes jump straight at the wall.

Pupils should aim to plant their foot around knee/waist height and remind pupils to push off the wall, not into it.


To help you plan your year 6 physical education lesson on: Advanced movements: tic tacs and wall runs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

It may be useful to use chalk, cones or tape to mark where feet should go and where hands should reach. Visuals help students feel more confident.
Teacher tip

Equipment

wall/boxes or vaulting blocks, gymnastics tables, mats, cones/ tape for markers

Content guidance

  • Additional qualification required
  • 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 we call an object/structure that you are trying to move over, under, around or through?

Correct answer: obstacle
spin
sequence

Q2.
Which will help the most when performing spinning movements?

strength
power
Correct answer: spatial awareness

Q3.
What are you performing if vaulting over an obstacle, turning your body 180 degrees to land on the same side you took off from?

step vault
Correct answer: lazy spin
reverse step vault

Q4.
What do core muscles help you to increase when performing spinning movements?

Correct answer: rotational speed
coordination
flexibility

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Where should your toes point on the wall when performing both tic tacs and wall runs?

horizontal
slightly downwards
Correct answer: slightly upwards

Q2.
Which part of your body needs to be strong when performing a tic tac in order to absorb and redirect impact?

Correct answer: legs
shoulders
neck

Q3.
When performing a wall run, which foot should you place on the wall at knee to waist height?

Correct Answer: dominant foot

Q4.
At what angle should you approach the wall at when performing a tic tac?

Correct Answer: 45 degrees