Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can perform explosive movements demonstrating coordination, control and explosive strength.

      Key learning points

      1. Move: running precisions, strides and plyos require explosive strength and coordination.
      2. Move: lower body strength is essential to land safely with control and show good technique.
      3. Think: the correct timing and placement of the foot influences the success of running precisions, strides and plyos.
      4. Feel: gradually increasing the distance between movements helps to build confidence.
      5. Connect: working together to agree on an appropriate challenge develops trust and a strong sense of community.

      Keywords

      • Plyos - quick, explosive jumps involving fast transitions, landing and immediately springing off to another target

      • Landing - the controlled act of making contact with the ground or a surface after a jump, drop or vault to take-off

      • Running precisions - a movement involving running and jumping to land to a precise point with control on a small or specific target

      Common misconception

      Pupils will often underestimate or overestimate the distance, leading to overshooting the jump or falling too short.

      Emphasise that hitting the edge of the mat is crucial, therefore they should gradually increase the distance to find the correct one for them. This will also need to be adjusted when they add a run up.

      Teacher tip

      The obstacle and mats should be of a similar height when performing running precisions from an obstacle. This should be considered when adding mats on top of each other. Ensure that mats do not slip (good grip) and have enough distance from the wall to allow for any forward action post landing.

      Equipment

      4 benches, 4 obstacles (boxes/gymnastics tables), crash mats and normal mats, floor markings/hoops

      Content guidance

      Additional qualification required

      Risk assessment required - physical activity

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Where should your chest be facing when performing a step vault?

      sideways
      Correct answer: forward
      backwards

      Q2.
      How should you always land your vaults?

      Correct answer: softly on feet
      legs locked
      in a squat position

      Q3.
      What can we minimise by providing peer feedback on our vault technique?

      fun
      coordination
      Correct answer: risks

      Q4.
      At what angle should you approach the obstacle for a thief vault?

      straight on
      Correct answer: slight angle
      large angle

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What should you try to show when performing running precisions to cover a certain distance?

      Correct answer: fluency
      height
      agility

      Q2.
      What are you demonstrating in one another when you work together to choose a challenging distance for each other to perform jumps?

      patience
      Correct answer: trust
      resilience

      Q3.
      which part of the body needs to be particularly strong when landing?

      Correct Answer: lower body, lower

      Q4.
      What is the name of a jump that involves jumping from one leg to the other leg?

      Correct Answer: stride

      To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Explosive movements in Parkour, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...