New
New
Year 8

Lindy Hop: contact work in duets or groups

I can use contact work with a partner safely and successfully.

New
New
Year 8

Lindy Hop: contact work in duets or groups

I can use contact work with a partner safely and successfully.

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

  1. Move: contact work establishes a clear relationship between the performers.
  2. Think: collaborating to perform partner work involves sustained concentration.
  3. Feel: applying self-discipline ensures safe working at all times.
  4. Connect: ensuring sufficient space and support during contact work demonstrates empathy.

Keywords

  • Interspersed - scattered amongst; placed between

  • Duet - a performance by two people working together

  • Contact - physical connection, can include touch, support, lifts

Common misconception

If supporting another person you should be as far away from them as possible.

To support another person effectively, the performers need to be in close proximity with the 'supporter' adopting a wide base and using the large muscle groups to power the action.


To help you plan your year 8 physical education lesson on: Lindy Hop: contact work in duets or groups, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Ensure pupils are partnered with someone of a similar height and build. Also consider partnering them with people they are comfortable making physical contact with.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Suggested music

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.
In which country did the Lindy Hop originate?
Correct answer: America
Australia
Austria
Q2.
What is the main purpose of ‘social’ dances?
exercise
aesthetics
Correct answer: enjoyment
Q3.
What do Lindy Hop dancers call it when they separate from their partner?
Correct answer: breakaway
split
shine
Q4.
In dance, what is it called when changes are made to an action or motif?
alter
Correct answer: manipulate
adjust

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
In dance, how is work that involves physical touch described?
togetherness
Correct answer: contact work
breakaway
Q2.
Which of the following is a way an action can be manipulated?
changing the costume
changing the music
Correct answer: changing the size
Q3.
What ensures stability when supporting your partner?
Correct answer: a wide base
a narrow base
a wide grip
Q4.
What ‘family’ of dances is the Lindy Hop a part of?
Correct answer: Swing
Latin American
Ballroom

Additional material

Download additional material