Planes of movement and axes of rotation
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can name and describe the three planes of movement and axes of rotation.
Key learning points
- A plane is an imaginary flat surface running through the body along which movement takes place
- An axis is an imaginary line that runs through the body's centre of gravity, allowing the body to rotate.
- There are sagittal (left and right), frontal (front and back) and transverse (top and bottom) planes.
- The sagittal (side-to-side), transverse (forward/backward) and longitudinal (rotational) axis enable movement analysis.
Keywords
Transverse plane - divides the body into top and bottom
Frontal plane - divides the body into front and back
Sagittal plane - divides the body into left and right
Axis - an imaginary line passing through the body around which it rotates
Common misconception
The transverse plane is linked with the transverse axis.
They share the same name, however the transverse plane is linked with the longitudinal axis. The transverse axis is linked with the sagittal plane.
Teacher tip
Using whole body models or play doh will provide visual representation of each plane of movement and axes of rotation. Link the plane and axes together and consider an mnemonic to make the pairings memorable.
Equipment
Play dough, jelly babies or 3D model that can be manipulated and moved around. Sporting images for reference
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following images is correct for a cartwheel?
Q2.Which image shows an athlete rotating their whole body?
Q3.Which movement is defined as the angle of the joint decreasing?
Q4.Which of the following sports includes a skill named a full twist jump.
Q5.Which of the following movement demonstrates extension of the knee.
Q6.A pirouette is a skill using of the whole body.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following image is correct for the sagittal plane?
Q2.Which of the following is the correct description of the sagittal axis?
Q3.Which of the following images moves along the transverse plane and rotates around the longitudinal axis.
Q4.Match the plane of movement with the correct axis of rotation.
transverse axis
sagittal axis
longitudinal axis
Q5.Match the sporting movement to the correct plane and axis.
transverse plane, longitudinal axis
sagittal plane, transverse axis
frontal plane, sagittal axis
Q6.The transverse plane is an imaginary line and flat surface which divides the body into and bottom halves.
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Planes of movement and axes of rotation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Planes of movement and axes of rotation, 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. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 physical education lessons from the Movement analysis and basic biomechanics unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.