Lesson 1 - Running, Jumping, Throwing
Biomechanics in Athletics
•Year 4
•Athletics
•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 challenge ourselves to run faster, jump further and throw more accurately?
Learning Objectives
- Challenge yourself to jump in a variety of ways for distance and height
- Show different ways of running and moving
- Compare different throws with different equipment
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate at least 3 different jumping techniques
- Students will execute 4 different running styles with good technique
- Students will successfully aim and throw using varied equipment
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed at throwing stations
Alternative: Small balls, quoits
Placed at various distances as targets
Alternative: Chalk circles, rope circles
Set up in groups for knocking down
Alternative: Plastic bottles, foam blocks
Fixed to wall at chest height
Alternative: Chalk targets, paper plates
Some elevated on benches for height variation
Alternative: Large PE hoops, cardboard boxes
For height jumping activity
Alternative: Sticky dots, chalk
For warm-up routine timing
Alternative: Percussion instrument, counting aloud
For measuring jumping distances
Alternative: Metre rulers, marked lines
Key Vocabulary
The moment when you push off the ground to begin a jump
How you come down safely after a jump
Looking at and focusing on your target before throwing
The proper way to perform a movement or skill
How far something travels
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic throwing and catching skills
- Simple jumping movements
- Running at different speeds
Current Skills
- Jumping for distance using different take-off and landing combinations
- Throwing accurately at targets using various equipment
- Running with different techniques and styles
Next Steps
- Combining movements in athletic sequences
- Competitive athletics events
- Advanced throwing techniques with implements
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise aiming before every throwing attempt to develop accuracy
- Focus on soft, controlled landings in all jumping activities for safety and technique
- Encourage experimentation with different techniques to find personal strengths
- Connect each activity to real athletic events and sports
- Maintain focus on personal improvement rather than comparison with others
- Use specific technique vocabulary to develop students' understanding
- Celebrate effort and improvement as much as achievement
Common Misconceptions
- Throwing harder always means throwing better - emphasise accuracy and technique over power
- Only one jumping style works for everyone - encourage experimentation with all combinations
- Running fast is always better - show how different styles develop different skills and muscles
- Athletic ability is fixed - emphasise that practice and technique development lead to improvement
- Competition means beating others - focus on personal bests and self-improvement goals
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with frequent changes, clear physical boundaries, regular positive feedback, opportunity for movement throughout
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment for easier handling, simplified movement patterns, extra practice time, focus on personal improvement rather than comparison
autism spectrum
- Clear routine and structure, visual timetable of activities, quiet zone available for breaks, consistent verbal cues and expectations
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured equipment, provide verbal descriptions of target locations, buddy system for guidance, tactile markers for boundaries
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations extensively, hand signals for instructions, written or pictorial station cards, ensure face-to-face communication
physical disability
- Seated throwing variations, shorter distances for all activities, adapted equipment (larger balls, lower targets), wheelchair-accessible station arrangements
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Descriptive vocabulary for movement, following multi-step instructions, explaining techniques to others
Maths
Measuring distances and heights, counting attempts and scores, timing activities, comparing numerical results
Science
Understanding forces in throwing and jumping, effects of exercise on the body, friction and movement
PSHE
Personal challenge and goal-setting, resilience through practice, celebrating effort and improvement
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Rotate between stations to provide guidance and assessment opportunities, position for maximum visibility of all activities during station work
Observation Focus
Watch for technique development, safety awareness, effort and improvement, peer interaction and sportsmanship
Intervention Points
Step in when technique becomes unsafe, when students need encouragement to attempt challenges, when equipment needs adjustment
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate safe technique first, show clear contrast between good and poor technique, involve students in demonstrations when appropriate, use enthusiastic and encouraging tone throughout
Verbal Cues
- •'Eyes on target first, then throw!'
- •'Soft landings with bent knees!'
- •'Control your movement style!'
- •'What can you change to improve?'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m with additional height clearance for jumping activities
Surface Check
Level, non-slip surface suitable for running and jumping activities
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all beanbags and balls for damage before use
- •Ensure skittles/cones are stable and safe
- •Verify wall targets are securely attached
- •Check containers and elevated equipment are stable
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during running activities
- •Unsafe landings during jumping
- •Equipment strikes from throwing activities
- •Muscle strain from inadequate warm-up
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established for all activities
- •Adequate spacing between throwing stations
- •Proper warm-up with dynamic movements
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
- •Emphasis on controlled movements over speed/distance
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for clear sight lines across all three stations
- •Monitor jumping activities for safe landing technique
- •Ensure throwing activities maintain safe directions
- •Watch for signs of fatigue affecting technique
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activities immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid support, ensure other students are safe and supervised