New
New
Lesson 4 of 10
  • Year 10
  • AQA

Middle distance performance

I can manage the different phases of the 800m to perform my personal best time.

Lesson 4 of 10
New
New
  • Year 10
  • AQA

Middle distance performance

I can manage the different phases of the 800m to perform my personal best time.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: running at a pace which is suited to your personal capabilities will help manage your energy and kick finish.
  2. Move: ‘kicking’ at an ideal moment towards the end of the race will improve finish time and overtake opponents.
  3. Think: constantly assess your condition and position to decide whether and when to kick.
  4. Feel: remaining confident and focused on your pacing strategy will ensure you perform at your maximal level.
  5. Connect: encouraging others when they are taking part in their races can motivate them to perform at their best.

Keywords

  • Kick - a strategic sprint in the final stages of the race

  • Pace - the steady, controlled speed a runner maintains during the race

  • Split time - time taken to cover a segment of the race

Common misconception

Pupils expend far too much energy by sprint starting instead of finding their race pace, leading them to tire in the second half of the race.

Pupils should focus on finding their race pace, not getting over excited at the start line, beginning too fast or being influenced by others who do. Ideally, the second half of the race is completed quicker than the first (called a negative split).


To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Middle distance performance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

It's difficult in mixed ability classes to create race situations in which pupils will form a pack and apply tactics. However, careful groupings by ability and target pace will make for better performances. This should include mixed gender groups.
Teacher tip

Equipment

1 stopwatch between 2, a stack of cones, recording sheet.

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.
What is a common error made in the first lap of a middle distance race?

Correct answer: running too slowly
using outside lane
tripping over

Q2.
How many metres would you ideally run at 80-90% of your maximum pace?

100m
Correct answer: 600m
800m

Q3.
Why might you decide to stick to maintaining your current pace mid-race?

you get injured
Correct answer: you feel tired
you’re feeling great

Q4.
What do we call a time taken to run a section of the distance?

section time
part time
Correct answer: split time

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
How quickly should you get to race pace?

whenever you want
halfway through
Correct answer: from the beginning

Q2.
What does a negative split in the second lap reflect?

slower than first
same as first
Correct answer: faster than first

Q3.
How can non-participants aid performance?

Correct answer: offer encouragement
keep quiet
criticise the runners

Q4.
When are you most likely to be working anaerobically in 800m?

at the beginning
Correct answer: during the kick
all throughout

Additional material

Download additional material