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
No credit card
Free forever
Big Question

How can we use our skipping and jumping skills to play games successfully and stay safe?

Learning Objectives

  • To apply skipping and jumping movements effectively in game situations
  • To understand the importance of spatial awareness when moving with control
  • To demonstrate correct technique in skipping and jumping whilst avoiding obstacles

Key Outcomes

  • Students will skip and jump with control whilst maintaining spatial awareness
  • Students will apply locomotion skills in a competitive game context
  • Students will understand the tactical importance of space in movement games

Equipment & Resources Required

Coloured Cones
3 (red, yellow, green)

Keep easily accessible for traffic light warm-up

Alternative: Coloured bean bags, scarves, or laminated cards

Bibs
8-10 different colours

4-5 for snow monsters, 4-5 for trolls

Alternative: Coloured wristbands or stickers

Sun Markers
8-12 cones

Mark clear playing area boundaries

Alternative: Spot markers or chalk lines

Key Vocabulary

Skipping

A movement combining a step and a hop on alternating feet

Jumping

Taking off and landing with two feet together

Space

An area free from obstacles or other people where we can move safely

Tagged

When someone touches you during a chasing game

Frozen

Having to stop and stay completely still in the game

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

  • Basic stepping and hopping actions
  • Two-foot jumping on the spot
  • Understanding of personal space

Current Skills

  • Skipping with step-hop rhythm
  • Jumping with control whilst moving
  • Applying movement skills in game context

Next Steps

  • Combining skipping and jumping in sequences
  • Using locomotion skills in team games
  • Developing more complex spatial strategies

Milestone Indicators

1
Maintains rhythm when skipping
2
Demonstrates tactical awareness
3
Shows consistency in movement quality

Key Teaching Points

  • Skipping uses a step-hop rhythm on alternating feet with natural arm swing
  • Jumping requires knee bend on takeoff, arm swing for power, and soft landing on balls of feet
  • Spatial awareness means choosing empty areas away from other people and obstacles
  • Game rules must be followed consistently for safety and fairness
  • Tactical movement involves planning and anticipating rather than random running
  • Good sportsmanship includes honesty, encouragement, and following rules even under pressure
  • Skills transfer between activities - spatial awareness helps in all movement games

Common Misconceptions

  • Students often think skipping is the same as running - emphasise the step-hop rhythm
  • Many believe jumping higher is always better - focus on control and technique over height
  • Some think any empty area is good space - explain proximity to others and anticipation
  • Students may believe speed is most important in games - emphasise smart movement over fast movement
  • Common misconception that games are just for fun - highlight learning and skill development
  • Some think being tagged is failure - frame it as part of learning and trying again

SEN Adaptations

ADHD
  • Shorter activity bursts, clear movement boundaries, regular position changes, immediate positive feedback, structured choices
dyspraxia
  • Slower movement speeds, simplified skill breakdowns, additional practice time, large targets and equipment, clear step-by-step instructions
autism spectrum
  • Clear visual schedule, consistent routines, quiet zones available, predictable game structures, social story preparation
visual impairment
  • Use bright coloured cones for traffic lights, provide verbal descriptions of space, buddy system for spatial guidance, tactile boundaries
hearing impairment
  • Use visual signals and demonstrations, clear hand signals for game rules, written or picture instructions, face-to-face communication
physical disability
  • Seated alternatives for movements, modified equipment, reduced space requirements, peer support systems

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Following instructions, using descriptive language for movement, listening and speaking skills

Maths

Counting in rhythm, directional language (left/right/forward/backward), time concepts in games

Science

Understanding how muscles work, balance and coordination, cause and effect in movement

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, following rules, showing respect for others, managing emotions in competitive situations

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move around perimeter during games for best visibility, central position during demonstrations

Observation Focus

Monitor technique quality, spatial awareness development, safe participation, and rule adherence

Intervention Points

Step in immediately for unsafe behaviour, provide technique correction, support struggling students

Demonstration Notes

Use students as positive examples, exaggerate key technique points, ensure all can see demonstrations clearly

Verbal Cues
  • •'Step-hop, step-hop' for skipping rhythm
  • •'Bend and spring!' for jumping
  • •'Find your space!' for spatial awareness
  • •'Gentle tags only!' for game safety

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 15m x 15m clear space, preferably hall or playground area

Surface Check

Non-slip, even surface free from water, debris or obstacles

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks
  • •Cones have no sharp edges or cracks
  • •Bibs are clean and in good condition
  • •All equipment stored safely when not in use

Risk Management

Key Risks
  • •Collisions between students during games
  • •Slips and falls during skipping/jumping
  • •Overexertion during active games
  • •Unsafe tagging during frozen game
Risk Mitigation
  • •Clear boundaries established and maintained
  • •Safe tagging rules demonstrated and enforced
  • •Adequate spacing during individual skill practice
  • •Progressive skill development from simple to complex
  • •Regular safety reminders throughout lesson

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points
  • •Position for maximum visibility of all students
  • •Monitor high-activity areas during games
  • •Ensure adult intervention for unsafe behaviour
  • •Maintain sight lines across activity space
Emergency Procedures

Clear STOP signal established, immediate assessment of injuries, appropriate first aid response, contact procedures for serious incidents