Sport specific circuits
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can take part and design my own sport specific circuit.
Key learning points
- Move: performing sport specific actions with good technique repeatedly, can improve muscle memory and skill level.
- Think: stations can be adapted to replicate movements required by specific sports (e.g. basketball - dribbling).
- Feel: circuit training can help with confidence and drive to improve performance in a specific sport.
- Connect: working with others to monitor and motivate their performance on a station requires energy and enthusiasm
Keywords
Specific - making training specific to the sport being played, movements used, muscles used or energy systems used
Adaptations - the changes to an athlete's body as a result of regular training over a sustained amount of time (e.g. 6 weeks)
Skill - a learned action used in sport
Common misconception
Pupils think that circuit training is solely to improve components of fitness but not for developing skilled sports performance.
While circuit training is great for improving components of fitness, it can also be designed to develop sport-specific skills. For example, in basketball, a circuit can include dribbling, shooting and passing stations, alongside fitness exercises.
Teacher tip
You may wish to give pupils options of sports they can plan a circuit for, dependent on the equipment you have available. Ensure equipment is set up safely in each group's area to avoid any items moving into other people's areas.
Equipment
10 x basketballs, 30+ cones, 4 x skipping ropes, 4 x mats, other optional sports equipment.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Aerobic exercise is most likely to develop which component of fitness?
Q2.Aerobic exercise includes the presence of what?
Q3.How long does aerobic exercise normally last for?
Q4.Which is an example of aerobic exercise?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What else can circuit training develop other than fitness?
Q2.When training with someone else, what can you do to help motivate them?
Q3.Which would be the most relevant sport specific skill for a tennis player?
Q4.Which movement would be most relevant for a football player to use in their circuit?
To help you plan your 8 physical education lesson on: Sport specific circuits, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 physical education lesson on: Sport specific circuits, 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 Health and wellbeing: long term benefits of physical activity through circuits unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.