Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 9
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation: flexibility
I can safely perform PNF stretches with a partner and explain how it can help my training.
- Year 9
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation: flexibility
I can safely perform PNF stretches with a partner and explain how it can help my training.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Move: increasing overload using FITT pushes the body beyond its current level.
- Move: combining stretches and muscular contractions is required to perform proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.
- Think: reflecting on the effectiveness of adjustments using the FITT principle ensures appropriate progression.
- Feel: having courage to trust a partner enables a wider range of performance enhancing stretches.
- Connect: working in pairs with clear communication and trust helps pupils to stretch safely and effectively.
Keywords
PNF - a type of partner assisted stretching that combines muscle contractions with deep stretching to improve flexibility
Contraction - tensing or shortening of a muscle
Overload - working the body harder than it is used to, so it adapts and gets fitter
Common misconception
PNF can sometimes be confused as a partner simply helping to deepen the stretch by pushing a bit further.
The method of contracting the muscle activates the nervous system which helps improve flexibility more effectively than static stretching alone.
To help you plan your year 9 physical education lesson on: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation: flexibility, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 physical education lesson on: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation: flexibility, 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.
Equipment
PNF session script, mats, cones, stopwatches, tape measure
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
