Hurdles
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can clear hurdles with control and fluency.
Key learning points
- Move: approaching a hurdle with controlled rhythm will support successful clearance.
- Move: lead legs glide over the hurdle with toes pointing up, while trail legs whip around sideways.
- Think: the stretching of hamstrings is essential to improve range of motion for hurdling.
- Feel: repeated practice of clearing the hurdles will build confidence and allow refinement in technique.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
Equipment
stack of cones, mini hurdles, hurdles (76.2cm)
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What will repetition and practice lead to when learning a technique such as javelin?
Q2.What is a possible outcome of using a straight throwing arm in javelin?
Q3.Where should you begin your javelin throw from?
Q4.Which of these might speed up someone’s progress when learning skills such as javelin?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How will maintaining good rhythm help in hurdles?
Q2.How can we help to grow confidence in our ability to clear hurdles?
Q3.What must we do before hurdling, especially for our hamstring muscles?
Q4.How will using 3 or 5 steps between hurdles help our action?
To help you plan your 7 physical education lesson on: Hurdles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 physical education lesson on: Hurdles, 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: run, jump, throw and officiate unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.