Body form
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can run with good posture in a relaxed and efficient manner.
Key learning points
- Move: a tall upright posture with a strong core and relaxed shoulders is required to perform efficiently.
- Move: optimising your stride length enables you to maintain good posture and avoid overextending your legs.
- Think: maintaining good posture at all times helps to reduce strain on joints/muscles and leads to fewer injuries.
- Feel: refining the technique of running helps to build self-esteem and reduces anxiety of being watched.
- Connect: providing positive feedback about technique shows a respect that can build self-esteem when performing.
Keywords
Posture - the way you hold your body when running, especially your head, shoulders, back and hips
Cadence - the number of steps you take per minute while running
Stride length - the distance you cover with each step while running
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that the longer your stride, the faster you'll run.
Thinking about stride length and experimenting with different lengths can help pupils to understand the optimal length of stride and its relationship with cadence.
Teacher tip
Emphasise that pupils are assessing upright running - hence the flying start to sprints - and that despite the decreased distances, pupils should be running at the pace they would for the full distance.
Equipment
cones, stopwatches, tracking sheets
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How can we prevent boredom in a training programme?
Q2.How might the circuit of a middle distance runner differ to that of a sprinter?
Q3.How can other people help you maintain your effort levels?
Q4.What is a benefit gained from strength and conditioning?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What does good posture reduce when running?
Q2.What does cadence measure?
Q3.Why is form still important during hard running?
Q4.What can you build through making improvements with a partner?
To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Body form, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Body form, 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 3 physical education lessons from the Athletics: fitness development of pace or power unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.