Lesson 3 - Safe Jumping & Landing
Safe Movement Exploration
•Reception
•Gymnastics
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can we jump from high places and land like superheroes without wobbling?
Learning Objectives
- To develop jumping and landing safely from a height
- To perform shape jumps with control and coordination
- To combine jumping, shapes and balances in sequences
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate safe landing technique with bent knees
- Students will perform straight and star shape jumps from benches
- Students will create simple sequences combining shapes, jumps and balances
Equipment & Resources Required
Place in line formation with safe spacing between
Alternative: Low boxes, stable platforms
Two mats in front of each bench for safe landing
Alternative: Crash mats, landing mats
One placed on each mat as landing target
Alternative: Hoops, cones, spots
Key Vocabulary
How we come down and touch the ground after jumping
The position our body makes in the air
Staying still and steady without wobbling
How high up something is from the ground
Tightening our muscles to stay strong and still
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic jumping on two feet from the ground
- Understanding of personal space
- Following simple movement instructions
Current Skills
- Jumping and landing from height safely
- Creating body shapes in the air
- Combining movements in simple sequences
Next Steps
- Jumping over obstacles and apparatus
- More complex shape combinations
- Creating longer movement sequences
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Safety first - always check landing area is clear before jumping
- Bend knees on landing like sitting in an invisible chair
- Make shapes clear and held long enough to be seen
- Squeeze muscles tight to control body and prevent wobbling
- Eyes focus on target for accurate landing placement
- Progress gradually from simple to complex movements
- Celebrate effort and improvement rather than perfection
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking harder/higher jumps are always better - emphasise control over height
- Believing only perfect landings count - celebrate near misses and improvement
- Assuming shapes don't matter - explain how body position affects landing
- Thinking speed equals skill - promote controlled, thoughtful movement
- Believing some children 'can't do gymnastics' - adapt for all abilities
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Clear boundaries, frequent positive feedback, movement breaks built into lesson structure
dyspraxia
- Extra practice time, simplified sequences, adult support for coordination challenges
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule, consistent routines, quiet space available if overwhelmed
visual impairment
- Use verbal descriptions of shapes, physical guidance for positioning, tactile markers on landing areas
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations, hand signals for safety, written safety rules displayed
physical disability
- Adapt jump height to ability, seated balance alternatives, modified target distances
Cross-Curricular Links
Science
Understanding gravity and forces in jumping, muscle control and body systems
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand where you can see all bench stations, move around to provide individual feedback
Observation Focus
Landing technique, safety compliance, skill progression, confidence levels
Intervention Points
Step in for unsafe practices, provide individual skill coaching, manage turn-taking
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for clarity, show both correct and incorrect techniques for contrast, involve confident children in demonstrations
Verbal Cues
- •'Bend those knees!'
- •'Check your mat is clear!'
- •'Squeeze those muscles tight!'
- •'Eyes on your target!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large hall space minimum 15m x 10m for bench layout and movement
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, clear of obstacles, adequate ceiling height for jumping
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check bench stability and positioning before use
- •Ensure mats are properly placed and flat
- •Verify base stations are non-slip and appropriate size
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Falls from height
- •Collisions between children
- •Poor landing technique causing injury
- •Equipment displacement during use
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear rotation system with adequate supervision
- •Emphasis on safety protocols throughout
- •Progressive skill building from ground level
- •One child per bench rule strictly enforced
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all benches simultaneously
- •Monitor landing areas continuously
- •Intervene immediately for unsafe practices
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact school procedures if needed