New
New
Lesson 7 of 10
  • Year 10
  • Edexcel

High jump

I can perform a Fosbury flop technique to maximise the height I can jump.

Lesson 7 of 10
New
New
  • Year 10
  • Edexcel

High jump

I can perform a Fosbury flop technique to maximise the height I can jump.

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

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

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

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: high jump requires a curved approach to build up speed and momentum.
  2. Move: high jumpers take off from the outside foot by driving their knee and arm nearest the bar up and over.
  3. Think: centrifugal force is generated using a curved run up to generate momentum.
  4. Feel: repeated practice and mental rehearsal builds confidence to execute a powerdul drive almost ignoring the bar.
  5. Connect: supportive feedback to peers on strengths and areas for improvement in jump technique requires sensitivity.

Keywords

  • Approach - the series of steps a jumper takes leading up to the jump

  • Centrifugal force - force that acts outward on a body moving around a curved path

  • Fosbury flop - technique in which the athlete arches backward over the bar

Common misconception

Pupils take an approach straight towards the bar which is not conducive to performing the Fosbury flop technique and maximising height jumped.

Pupils should take a curved run up which is J-shaped and will allow them to perform the technique required to gain the most height in their jump. The teacher can guide them to this through the activities.


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

If only one high jump mat, time between attempts can be long. If space and resources allow, consider minimising inactivity by rotating pupils around stations (eg. practicing approach, video analysis, watching video of elite athletes perform) and using an elasticated bar which is adjusted quickly.
Teacher tip

Equipment

High jump mat, posts and bar, 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.
Which phase of triple jump may be too short as a result of an overly long hop?

approach
Correct answer: step
jump

Q2.
What will being fully committed help you to achieve in the triple jump?

Correct answer: personal best
warm up
optimal recovery

Q3.
How can we maintain momentum in the triple jump?

pause between jumps
Correct answer: smooth transitions
take it easy

Q4.
What can you do to help hit the board perfectly in the triple jump?

guess the distance
use different speeds
Correct answer: measure your approach

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What force could not be created if you ran straight towards the bar instead of curved?

horizontal force
vertical force
Correct answer: centrifugal force

Q2.
What can we do in the moments before our attempt to help our performance?

Correct answer: mental rehearsal
chat to friends
hold your breath

Q3.
What is a technique used in high jump?

Correct Answer: Fosbury flop

Q4.
Which body part does the ‘dead bug’ position ensure you land on?

your shoulder
your head
Correct answer: your back

Additional material

Download additional material