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Lesson 3 - Scissor Kick Jumping Skills

Jumping Foundations & Creativity

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Year 1

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Fundamental Movement Skills

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45 min

Big Question

How can I use my body to jump higher and further with control?

Learning Objectives

To develop scissor kick jumping technique with controlled take-off and landing
To explore different jumping patterns and identify preferred take-off foot
To measure and compare different types of jumps (vertical vs horizontal)

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate scissor kick jumps with coordinated arm movements
Students will identify which foot they prefer for take-off
Students will participate in jumping circuits showing improved technique

Equipment & Resources Required

Music Player

Position centrally for clear sound throughout space

Alternative: Tablet with speaker, phone with portable speaker

Hurdles

6-8

Vary heights from 15-30cm, ensure stable setup

Alternative: Cones with canes, foam blocks, rope between cones

Wall Bars

4-6

Support with cones or stands, easily adjustable height

Alternative: Pool noodles, ropes, ribbon on sticks

Cones (various sizes)

Create clear boundaries and equipment supports

Alternative: Plastic bottles, markers, bean bags

Measuring Tapes

2-3

For measuring jump distances and heights

Alternative: Rulers, metre sticks, chalk for marking

Chalk

5.5 pieces

For marking vertical jump measurements on wall

Alternative: Washable markers, sticky notes, masking tape

Gymnastics Mats

4-6

Place at landing areas for safety and distance marking

Alternative: Carpet squares, towels, playground markings

Mats

2-3

Create parallel lines 30cm apart for sideways jumping

Alternative: Chalk lines, rope lines, masking tape lines

Key Vocabulary

Scissor kick

A jumping action where legs move like scissors in the air - one forward, one back

Take-off foot

The foot you push off from when jumping - your stronger jumping leg

Elevation

How high you can jump or lift yourself off the ground

Vertical jump

Jumping straight up as high as possible from a standing position

Two-footed take-off

Jumping using both feet together to push off from the ground

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic jumping and landing on two feet
Simple locomotion skills like running and hopping
Following movement instructions and spatial awareness

Current Skills

Scissor kick jumping technique development
Single foot take-off exploration
Coordinated arm and leg movements for elevation

Next Steps

Advanced jumping combinations and sequences
Distance and height jumping with measurement
Jumping for specific sporting contexts

Milestone Indicators

Consistent single-foot take-off

Visible scissor action in flight phase

Controlled two-foot landing

Key Teaching Points

Scissor kick requires single-foot take-off, not two-footed jumping
Arms drive upward strongly to help create elevation and height
Everyone has a preferred take-off foot - like being left or right handed
Safe landing is always on two feet, regardless of take-off style
Measurement helps us understand different types of jumping
Technique and effort are more important than jumping distance or height
Body coordination improves with practice and patience

Common Misconceptions

Students thinking they must use two feet for all jumps - explain scissor kicks need one-foot take-off
Believing one take-off foot is 'wrong' - reassure that everyone has preferences
Focusing only on jumping high rather than technique - emphasise skill development
Thinking arms don't matter for jumping - demonstrate clear difference with/without arm drive
Confusion about measurement - vertical measures height, long jump measures distance
Belief that bigger students always jump better - highlight that technique beats size

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity bursts, clear boundaries marked, regular movement breaks, specific roles and responsibilities

dyspraxia

Larger target areas, simplified movement patterns, extra practice time, focus on bilateral coordination development

autism spectrum

Clear visual schedule of lesson activities, quiet area available if needed, consistent routines, warning before transitions

visual impairment

Use bright coloured equipment, clear verbal descriptions of all movements, buddy system for navigation, tactile markers for take-off points

hearing impairment

Clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for key instructions, written station cards, vibrating timer for rotations if available

physical disability

Seated jumping variations, upper body movements mimicking jump actions, adapted equipment heights, focus on what student CAN do

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Following complex instructions, using descriptive vocabulary for movement, discussing comparisons between different jump types

Maths

Measuring jump distances and heights, comparing measurements, counting jumps and time intervals, understanding concepts of height and distance

Science

Forces in jumping - push and pull, gravity affecting landing, muscles and bones working together, heart rate changes during exercise

PSHE

Personal goal setting, resilience when facing challenges, celebrating effort over outcome, supporting and encouraging peers

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move around space constantly during activities, position centrally for demonstrations and instructions

Observation Focus

Watch for scissor kick technique development, safe landing patterns, and preferred take-off foot identification

Intervention Points

Step in if students struggling with basic jumping safety, not engaging with activities, or showing signs of over-fatigue

Demonstration Notes

Always demonstrate jumping techniques at student eye level, exaggerate movements for clarity, show both correct technique and common mistakes

Verbal Cues

•'One foot up, scissor, land on two!'
•'Arms up for height!'
•'Soft landings on both feet!'
•'Which foot feels stronger?'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 15m x 20m indoor space (school hall) or equivalent outdoor area with level surface

Surface Check

Non-slip surface free from water, debris, or obstacles. Gym mats available for landing areas

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•All jumping equipment stable and age-appropriate heights (15-25cm maximum)
•Cones and supports properly positioned and weighted if necessary
•Chalk non-toxic and easily washable
•Measuring tapes have no sharp edges

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between students during movement
•Falls from jumping activities
•Trips over equipment or other students
•Over-exertion leading to fatigue or injury

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established with cones
•Adequate spacing between students during all activities
•Progressive skill building from simple to complex
•Regular checks on student fatigue levels
•Teacher positioned for maximum visibility at all times

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for clear view of all activity areas
•Move around space during station work
•Give special attention to vertical jump measurement station
•Monitor students who may need additional support

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately, assess any injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact school office if needed, ensure other students remain calm and safe