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Lesson 11 of 12
  • Year 7

Hurdles

I can clear hurdles with control and fluency.

Lesson 11 of 12
New
New
  • Year 7

Hurdles

I can clear hurdles with control and fluency.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: approaching a hurdle with controlled rhythm will support successful clearance.
  2. Move: lead legs glide over the hurdle with toes pointing up, while trail legs whip around sideways.
  3. Think: the stretching of hamstrings is essential to improve range of motion for hurdling.
  4. Feel: repeated practice of clearing the hurdles will build confidence and allow refinement in technique.
  5. Connect: being aware of the dangers involved in hurdling can help to identify and manage risk.

Keywords

  • Lead leg - the leg that goes over the hurdle first

  • Trail leg - the leg that follows the lead leg over the hurdle

  • Rhythm - the consistent pattern of steps between and jumps over the hurdles

Common misconception

Hurdles is daunting for many pupils who may fear hitting the hurdle, falling or getting hurt, which are justifiable concerns. This causes them to do things such as stutter their approach or even stop.

Be careful to provide hurdles which are achievable for all abilities and gradually allow pupils to build confidence and progress to higher hurdles when ready, rather than expect them to hurdle the full height.


To help you plan your year 7 physical education lesson on: Hurdles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If at all possible, have your hurdle distances/positions marked out before the lesson to save time in placing them properly during lesson time. Ensure the hurdles are placed the righ way round so if knocked, they can fall forward.
Teacher tip

Equipment

stack of cones, mini hurdles, hurdles (76.2cm)

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

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What will repetition and practice lead to when learning a technique such as javelin?

Correct answer: increased familiarity
worse performance
confusion

Q2.
What is a possible outcome of using a straight throwing arm in javelin?

javelin goes further
personal best
Correct answer: ineffective bowling action

Q3.
Where should you begin your javelin throw from?

on the line
Correct answer: just before line
5m before line

Q4.
Which of these might speed up someone’s progress when learning skills such as javelin?

working alone
ignoring feedback
Correct answer: someone coaching them

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
How will maintaining good rhythm help in hurdles?

Correct answer: no slowing down
make you stutter
hit the hurdles

Q2.
How can we help to grow confidence in our ability to clear hurdles?

lots of rest
Correct answer: repeated practice
avoiding practice

Q3.
What must we do before hurdling, especially for our hamstring muscles?

rest them
cool them down
Correct answer: stretch them

Q4.
How will using 3 or 5 steps between hurdles help our action?

Correct answer: same lead leg
random leg changes
slows you down