Lesson 5 - Speed Stacking Skills
Teamwork & Creative Problem-Solving
•Year 2
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How does repetition help us become better at challenging activities?
Learning Objectives
- Learn beginner competition speed stacking to improve performance through repetition
- Practise and repeat recognising that repetition helps us to improve performance
- Improve accuracy through repetition and understand how practice makes perfect
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved speed stacking technique through repeated practice
- Students will compete fairly against themselves and others while showing good sportsmanship
- Students will explain why repetition helps improve performance in physical activities
Equipment & Resources Required
Pre-arranged in sets of 12 cups per group station
Alternative: Plastic cups or yoghurt pots if speed stacking cups unavailable
Ensure all are reset to zero before lesson begins
Alternative: Mobile phone timers or class timer on whiteboard
Check all balls are in good condition and appropriate size
Alternative: Bean bags, tennis balls, or soft playground balls
Space hoops 2 metres apart in straight lines
Alternative: Chalk circles on playground or rope circles
Mark start and finish lines clearly for each group area
Alternative: Markers, chalk lines, or masking tape
Key Vocabulary
A sport where participants stack special cups in specific sequences as quickly as possible
Building the cups into a pyramid shape from bottom to top
Taking apart the pyramid and nesting the cups back together
Doing the same action many times to get better at it
Being precise and getting something exactly right
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic hand-eye coordination from previous lessons
- Understanding of taking turns and fair play
- Experience with simple competitive activities
Current Skills
- 3-3-3 speed stacking technique
- Self-improvement through repetition
- Competitive behaviour and sportsmanship
Next Steps
- More complex speed stacking patterns
- Advanced competition formats
- Leadership roles in organising competitions
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Speed stacking cups must be held from the sides, never the top, to prevent sticking
- Repetition creates muscle memory - the more we practice, the better our body remembers
- Personal improvement is more important than comparing with others
- Accuracy in rolling comes from adjusting force based on previous attempts
- Cooperative competition means supporting teammates while trying your best
- The 3-3-3 stack sequence must follow left-to-right pattern for both up and down stacking
- Gentle handling and smooth movements are more effective than force and speed
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: Faster always means better. Correction: Smooth technique often produces better times than rushing
- Misconception: Some people are just naturally good and don't need practice. Correction: Everyone improves through repetition
- Misconception: If I miss the target, I'm bad at the activity. Correction: Missing helps us learn how to adjust and improve
- Misconception: Speed stacking is just about stacking fast. Correction: It requires technique, coordination and practice
- Misconception: Competition means trying to make others fail. Correction: Good competition means everyone trying their best together
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Frequent movement between activities, clear activity boundaries, regular check-ins for understanding, celebration of small improvements
dyspraxia
- Simplified stacking patterns initially, larger equipment for easier handling, extra demonstration time, focus on personal progress
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet space available if needed, predictable timing patterns
visual impairment
- Use contrasting coloured cups for speed stacking, provide verbal descriptions of hoop positions, buddy system for rolling activities
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all techniques, written instructions available, clear visual signals for timing starts
physical disability
- Adapted stacking from seated position, modified rolling distances, alternative fitness exercises suitable for mobility needs
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Vocabulary development with technical terms, explaining reasoning about repetition and improvement, following multi-step instructions
Maths
Counting down in pyramid structure (5-4-3-2-1), measuring distances for hoop placement, timing and comparing personal records
Science
Understanding how practice changes our brain and muscles, forces and motion in ball rolling, cause and effect in accuracy
PSHE
Perseverance and resilience when activities are challenging, cooperation and support in team activities, setting personal goals
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position during demonstrations, circulate between groups during practice, ensure visibility of all students
Observation Focus
Technique development in speed stacking, accuracy improvement in rolling, positive competitive behaviour
Intervention Points
Step in if students become frustrated, correct unsafe technique, redirect negative competitive behaviour
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for clarity, repeat key techniques, model positive reactions to mistakes
Verbal Cues
- •'Sides of the cups, not the top!'
- •'Soft hands, smooth movements!'
- •'Think about your last roll!'
- •'Practice makes progress!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m indoor space or playground area with clear boundaries
Surface Check
Dry, even surface suitable for rolling balls and kneeling safely
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check speed stacking cups for cracks or sharp edges
- •Ensure balls are appropriate size and not too hard
- •Verify hoops are flat and stable on surface
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Slips from ball rolling under feet
- •Collision between students in different groups
- •Frustration from competitive activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear group boundaries established and maintained
- •Balls collected immediately after each attempt
- •Emphasis on personal improvement over winning
- •Supervised kneeling exercise on soft surface
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all groups during rolling activities
- •Monitor competitive intensity during races
- •Support students showing frustration or difficulty
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or support, contact office if needed