Lesson 1 - Sprinting Technique
Sprint to Endurance
•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 use our bodies to run as fast as possible and why is speed important in athletics?
Learning Objectives
- To explore and apply correct sprinting technique including head position and arm action
- To understand the importance of staying in lanes during athletic events
- To develop speed and coordination through progressive sprinting activities
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved sprinting technique with correct head and arm positioning
- Students will understand race rules and consequences of lane violations
- Students will show progression in their personal sprinting speed and form
Equipment & Resources Required
Used to mark lanes and boundaries
Alternative: Bean bags or markers
For traffic lights warm-up activity
Alternative: Coloured cards or flags
To measure 40-80m track distances
Alternative: Pre-measured distances marked
To mark start and finish lines clearly
Alternative: Rope or tape
For timing races and activities
Alternative: Phone timer apps
Key Vocabulary
Running at maximum speed over a short distance
Staying within your allocated lane during a race
Starting to run before the 'Go' command is given
Moving arms back and forth with bent elbows to help with speed
The end point of a race that runners must cross
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic running and stopping on command
- Understanding of fast and slow movement
- Following simple instructions in PE activities
Current Skills
- Correct sprinting technique with head position
- Effective arm action for speed
- Lane discipline and race etiquette
Next Steps
- Sprint starts and reaction times
- Sprint relay techniques
- Hurdles and sprint barriers
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Head up and eyes focused straight ahead for direction and balance
- Arms pump backwards with bent elbows close to the body for speed
- Stay in designated lanes throughout the entire race distance
- Start only on the 'GO' command to avoid false starts
- Maintain technique even when racing competitively
- Good sportsmanship is as important as good technique
- Practice makes improvement - focus on personal progress
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking that arms should swing across the body rather than parallel to it
- Believing that looking down helps you run faster or safer
- Assuming that lane rules don't matter in practice sessions
- Thinking that starting early gives you an advantage rather than disqualification
- Believing that technique doesn't matter if you're naturally fast
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Frequent activity changes, clear boundaries, regular positive feedback, leadership roles to maintain engagement
dyspraxia
- Simplified technique focus, larger lane spaces, extra practice time, peer buddies for support and modelling
autism spectrum
- Predictable race structure, clear visual schedule, quiet zone available, advance warning of loud starting commands
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured lane markers, verbal descriptions of demonstrations, guide rope for lane boundaries, buddy system for races
hearing impairment
- Visual starting signals with flags, written instructions, clear demonstration of all techniques, sign language support if available
physical disability
- Wheelchair racing options, adapted distances, modified technique goals, inclusive competitive formats
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Vocabulary development with athletic terms, following complex instructions, articulating feedback clearly
Maths
Measuring sprint distances, timing races, ordering finishing positions, data collection and comparison
Science
Understanding muscle types (fast-twitch vs slow-twitch), forces and motion in sprinting, human body systems during exercise
PSHE
Competitive fairness, following rules, resilience in competition, celebrating others' achievements
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand at finish line with clear view of all lanes, move to start for demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for technique application, lane discipline, and competitive behaviour
Intervention Points
Stop for safety issues, intervene for persistent technique errors, manage competitive tensions
Demonstration Notes
Use slow motion for technique, normal speed for full demonstration, exaggerate key points for clarity
Verbal Cues
- •'Head up, eyes forward!'
- •'Pump those arms!'
- •'Stay in your lane!'
- •'Strong finish!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 60m x 20m area with clear sight lines, level surface essential for sprinting
Surface Check
Firm, dry, level surface free from holes or debris, good grip for sprint starts
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Cones securely placed and visible
- •No sharp edges on any equipment
- •Clear lane boundaries
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during sprinting
- •Falls during explosive starts
- •Overexertion in competition
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear lane separation with adequate width
- •Controlled starts with proper commands
- •Progressive skill building before full sprinting
- •Designated spectator areas away from racing lanes
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position at finish line for clear view of all lanes
- •Monitor starts for false starts and safety
- •Observe lane discipline throughout races
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if any collision or fall occurs, first aid trained staff available, clear evacuation route established