Indoor caving
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan, design and follow a caving route that is challenging yet achievable.
Key learning points
- Move: travelling in a low position requires alternate arm and leg action
- Move: engaging our core and bending from our knees when lifting protects our back.
- Think: planning our route and thinking ahead helps us select the correct level of challenge.
- Feel: successfully navigating a caving route requires courage, determination and self-belief.
- Connect: supporting and encouraging others provides reassurance and builds confidence.
Keywords
Spatial awareness - understanding your body’s position in confined space
Courage - the ability to do something difficult or face a fear even when it’s uncomfortable
Perseverance - continuing even when it’s physically or mentally tough
Common misconception
Indoor caving is just about squeezing through tight spaces as quickly as possible.
Caving isn't just about speed. It involves planning, moving carefully, using spatial awareness and thinking ahead to create and navigate a route that is both enjoyable and challenging.
Teacher tip
Ensure you research the correct technique for lifting and carrying heavy items - use the internet to give yourself some ideas. Keep a strong sense of age appropriate balance between enjoyment and challenege in these activites. Risk assess the area, activites and equipment used.
Equipment
1 hoop per pupil, 40 tennis balls, vaults / benches / mats / rope to make caves with
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.By using conflict resolution to address and resolve disagreements what can we maintain?
Q2.What must we explain to our team to ensure an informed decision can be made?
Q3.To be a successful team, which of these do we need?
Q4.How far away from our body should we carry a heavy object to protect our back?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What two qualities do you need when things get tough?
Q2.What type of awareness should be considered when planning a route for your indoor cave?
Q3.Other than enjoyment, which of these outcomes should teams consider to be important when planning?
Q4.What type of route makes the experience a rewarding one?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Indoor caving, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Indoor caving, 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 4 physical education lessons from the Outdoor adventurous activities: outdoor pursuits and team challenges unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.