Lesson 2 - Balance and Safe Landing
Confident Movers Mastery
•Year 1
•Fundamental Movement Skills
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can we land like silent ninjas while staying perfectly balanced?
Learning Objectives
- To develop balance and stability in static positions
- To practise landing safely with control from jumps and hops
- To explore different types of jumps and travelling movements
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved balance when stopping from movement
- Students will land with bent knees and controlled posture
- Students will show kindness when sharing equipment and helping others
Equipment & Resources Required
Spread evenly around teaching area for boundaries
Alternative: Cones, markers, or carpet squares
Placed randomly for jumping activities
Alternative: Rope circles, chalk circles, or mats
Various heights from 10-30cm for different abilities
Alternative: Low cones, ropes, or PE bench turned sideways
Scattered as additional jumping obstacles
Alternative: Small cushions, foam blocks, or stuffed toys
Key Vocabulary
Staying steady and not falling over
Being able to stop and start your movements when you want to
How your feet touch the ground after jumping
Jumping on one foot repeatedly
Being firm and steady, not wobbly
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic running and walking movements
- Simple jumping on the spot
- Following basic instructions and stopping on command
Current Skills
- Controlled stopping and balancing
- Safe landing with bent knees
- One-footed and two-footed jumping
- Spatial awareness when moving
Next Steps
- Advanced jumping patterns and sequences
- Dynamic balance during complex movements
- Jumping with equipment and obstacles
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Safe landing always requires bent knees and weight forward on balls of feet
- Balance improves with focus - encourage looking ahead not down
- Control is more important than distance or height when jumping
- Equipment sharing and cooperation are essential life skills
- Practice makes progress - celebrate improvement not perfection
- Silent landings indicate good technique and muscle control
- Spatial awareness keeps everyone safe during group activities
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking straight legs are stronger for landing - explain bent knees absorb force safely
- Believing looking down helps balance - demonstrate how looking ahead improves stability
- Assuming bigger jumps are always better - emphasise control and technique over distance
- Not understanding why sharing matters - connect cooperation to everyone's learning success
- Thinking wobbling means failure - explain wobbles show the body learning to balance
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Regular movement breaks, clear boundaries marked, positive reinforcement for focus and effort
dyspraxia
- Slower demonstration pace, break skills into smaller steps, extra practice time, physical guidance if needed
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of activities, quiet space available if needed, consistent routine and structure
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured equipment, clear verbal descriptions of all movements, buddy system for equipment navigation
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all skills, hand signals for start/stop, written instruction cards available
physical disability
- Seated balance activities, modified jumping using arms only, step-over instead of jump-over options
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting jumps, measuring distances jumped, recognising patterns in movement sequences
Science
Understanding forces when jumping and landing, how muscles work for balance and control
Geography
Directional language - forward, backward, sideways, left, right during movement patterns
PSHE
Cooperation and kindness when sharing equipment, perseverance when learning new skills, helping others succeed
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around the space constantly to observe all students, spending extra time where equipment is being used
Observation Focus
Watch for bent knee landing, controlled movements, and positive peer interactions
Intervention Points
Step in if students are rushing movements, not sharing equipment fairly, or showing signs of frustration
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate the difference between good and poor technique. Exaggerate movements for clarity, especially knee bending and quiet landing.
Verbal Cues
- •'Ninja landings - quiet and controlled!'
- •'Bend those knees like you're sitting down!'
- •'Look ahead, not down at your feet!'
- •'Wait your turn and share kindly!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m clear space, suitable for running and jumping activities
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, free from hazards. Ideally sports hall or playground surface.
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check hurdles are stable and appropriate height
- •Ensure hoops lie flat and aren't cracked
- •Verify beanbags are properly filled and intact
- •Base stations securely positioned
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Falls from poor landing technique
- •Collisions when sharing equipment
- •Fatigue leading to loss of control
- •Equipment displacement during use
Risk Mitigation
- •Teach and reinforce safe landing technique throughout
- •Establish clear equipment sharing protocols
- •Monitor for fatigue and provide rest opportunities
- •Regular equipment positioning checks
- •Adequate spacing between activity areas
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students
- •Move around space to observe individual progress
- •Monitor equipment areas for safe sharing
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or frustration
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately if injury occurs. Assess and provide appropriate first aid. Have emergency contact information readily available.