Sprint performance
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can sprint a full race distance adapting effectively to different phases.
Key learning points
- Move: use a sprint start to power yourself into the drive phase and accelerate quickly towards your maximal speed.
- Move: during the drive phase use effective technique to move with maximal possible speed.
- Think: understanding which phase the race is in and adapting technique to the phase will maximise your performance.
- Feel: being determined, even during the final phase when fatigued, will help to achieve the best possible time.
- Connect: congratulate all your opponents at the end of the race to demonstrate mutual respect.
Keywords
Maximal - the best possible performance with maximum effort
Phase - a particular stage of the race performance
Fatigue - decline in physical performance as the body reaches its limits
Common misconception
Pupils will tire during the latter phases of a 100m sprint race and may withdraw their effort because fatigue is setting in and they expected to perform at maximal throughout.
Fatigue will always feature in the final stages if the athlete is giving it their best. Recognising this by remaining determined to finish and maintaining technique will result in the best possible time.
Teacher tip
Remember that performance quality is the important measure with GCSE PE practical assessments. With adolescents it is possible a less biologically mature pupil will perform technically better than a more mature pupil, despite completing the distance in a slower time.
Equipment
Stack of cones and measuring tape if no track is available. Stopwatches. Recording sheet.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Why is it important to start your sprint on the instruction “go” and not before?
Q2.Hip to lip describes the movement of which body part during sprints?
Q3.What is the phase following a sprint start?
Q4.What can other people provide to aid improvements in our technique?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.During which phase of the performance will most people require determination the most?
Q2.How does the body move into the upright position over the first 20m?
Q3.When should you start to deliberately slow down?
Q4.What do you show when applauding opponents or shaking their hand at the end of a race?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Sprint performance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Sprint performance, 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 Non-examined assessment: athletics practical unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.