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Lesson 6 of 6
  • Year 11

Sparring and review

I can perform self-defence moves and spar within a controlled setting showing excellent footwork and timing.

Lesson 6 of 6
New
New
  • Year 11

Sparring and review

I can perform self-defence moves and spar within a controlled setting showing excellent footwork and timing.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: performing self-defence moves requires the ability to react quickly, identify a threat and respond immediately.
  2. Move: good sparring technique requires dynamic movements, fast feet and agility to evade opponents safely.
  3. Think: in self-defence, you can defend yourself proportionately to what is being done to you.
  4. Feel: sparring helps develop resilience under pressure when faced with an opponent.
  5. Connect: sparring with others requires empathy, communication, cooperation and mutual respect.

Keywords

  • Self-defence - a legal justification for using reasonable, necessary and proportionate force to protect yourself or others from imminent harm

  • Sparring - a controlled and supervised sport that allows martial artists to apply techniques in real time against resisting partners

  • Technique - a deliberate, skillful movement or method designed to achieve a specific outcome in combat or self-defence

Common misconception

Pupils think that self-defence is just like fighting.

Self-defence focuses on escape and de-escalation. It is about avoiding harm and getting away safely.


To help you plan your year 11 physical education lesson on: Sparring and review, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils should be reminded to never carry a weapon. Also be careful wearing headphones as this reduces your awareness of the environment and makes you vulnerable. When sparring, you are unlikely to have lots of padding, so sparring in this lesson focuses on performing movements in a controlled way.
Teacher tip

Equipment

No equipment needed

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.
Which of the following is most important when first learning a kata?

speed
power
Correct answer: control

Q2.
What is the final punch in the Chon Ji kata designed to do?

Correct answer: attack
defend
block

Q3.
Which of the following attributes can we develop the most when performing a kata in front of others?

communication
Correct answer: self-confidence
teamwork

Q4.
What three elements are performed in the Chon Ji kata?

squats, stances, strikes
Correct answer: stances, blocks, strikes
stances, blocks, balances

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following attributes can be developed when sparring against an unpredictable opponent?

Correct answer: resilience
aggression
power

Q2.
Which of the following fitness attributes would help you the most when trying to evade your opponent when you are sparring?

flexibility
strength
Correct answer: agility

Q3.
What is the focus of self-defence?

Correct answer: escape and de-escalation
winning
fighting

Q4.
How should your fighting stance differ slightly when sparring?

wider stance
Correct answer: open hand
lower position