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Lesson 6 - Athletics Sports Day Competition

Competitive Athletics: Technique, Tactics and Personal Excellence

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Year 5

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Athletics

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Big Question

How can we apply our athletic skills and knowledge to compete fairly and achieve our personal best?

Learning Objectives

To apply running, jumping and throwing techniques in competitive situations
To demonstrate good sportsmanship and fair play during competition
To work effectively as part of a team whilst pursuing individual excellence

Key Outcomes

Students will have participated in multiple athletic events using correct technique
Students will have demonstrated leadership, encouragement and fair play throughout the competition
Students will have achieved personal goals and contributed to team success

Equipment & Resources Required

Cones

Mark boundaries and event areas clearly

Alternative: Markers, bean bags

Stopwatch

One per event station for accurate timing

Alternative: Mobile phone timers, wall clock

Measuring Tapes

For measuring throwing and jumping distances

Alternative: Metre sticks, marked areas

PE Equipment

1 set

Age-appropriate weights and sizes for Year 5

Alternative: Individual items: javelins, shot puts, hurdles

Score Sheets

Pre-prepared with team names and events

Alternative: Digital recording devices, clipboards

Whistles

One per event station for clear signals

Alternative: Air horns, voice commands

First Aid Kit

Positioned centrally and easily accessible

Alternative: School medical support

Key Vocabulary

Personal Best

Your own best performance or achievement in a particular event

Sportsmanship

Fair and generous behaviour or treatment of others in sport

Technique

The way of performing a particular athletic skill correctly and efficiently

Competition Format

The structure and rules that govern how the sports day events are organised

Fair Play

Respect for opponents, officials and rules of the sport

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Students can perform basic running, jumping and throwing techniques
Students understand the concept of fair play and following rules
Students have experience working in teams and small groups

Current Skills

Applying technical skills under competitive pressure
Demonstrating leadership and sportsmanship in challenging situations
Managing emotions and maintaining focus during competition

Next Steps

Inter-school athletics competitions
Advanced technique refinement in specialist events
Taking on officiating and coaching roles

Milestone Indicators

Consistent technique maintained under pressure

Positive encouragement given to all participants

Personal best efforts achieved in multiple events

Key Teaching Points

Maintain focus on personal best efforts rather than just winning positions
Use competitive pressure as opportunity to reinforce technique under challenge
Create inclusive atmosphere where all achievements are celebrated equally
Connect individual efforts to team success and school community values
Emphasise sportsmanship and fair play as equally important as athletic performance
Provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate different strengths and abilities

Common Misconceptions

Only the fastest/strongest students can be successful in athletics - address by showing multiple ways to achieve and contribute
Competition means you must beat others to be successful - emphasise personal improvement and effort
Technique doesn't matter in competition, only results - demonstrate how good technique leads to better performance
Sports day is only about winning - show how participation, support and sportsmanship are equally valued
You need natural talent to enjoy athletics - highlight how practice and effort lead to improvement for everyone

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Frequent active roles, clear short-term targets, regular positive feedback, movement between events as natural breaks

dyspraxia

Simplified movement patterns, extra practice time, focus on participation over performance, peer support systems

autism spectrum

Clear schedule of events provided in advance, quiet retreat area available, predictable routine with visual supports

visual impairment

Bright markers for lane boundaries, verbal descriptions of events, buddy system for navigation around events

hearing impairment

Visual signals for starts and transitions, written instruction cards, clear sight lines to demonstrations

physical disability

Modified events appropriate to ability, alternative roles such as scoring or officiating, adapted equipment where available

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Using vocabulary to encourage others, describing performances, listening to instructions in noisy environments

Maths

Recording and comparing athletic performances, calculating team scores, measuring distances and timing events

Science

Understanding forces in throwing, body systems during exercise, physics of running and jumping

Geography

Mapping event layouts, understanding directions for field events, spatial awareness in competitive situations

PSHE

Building resilience under pressure, managing emotions in competition, celebrating diversity of achievements

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move between event stations to maintain overview while allowing station leaders autonomy

Observation Focus

Monitor safety adherence, competitive pressure responses, and inclusive participation

Intervention Points

Step in for safety issues, excessive competitiveness, or students needing encouragement

Demonstration Notes

Demonstrate sportsmanship throughout, show genuine appreciation for all efforts, model appropriate competitive behaviour

Verbal Cues

•'Technique first, then power!'
•'Celebrate everyone's efforts!'
•'This is your personal best moment!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large outdoor field or multiple indoor halls, minimum 100m x 60m for full sports day setup

Surface Check

Dry, level grass or appropriate indoor surface free from holes, debris or hazards

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•All throwing implements age-appropriate weight and condition
•Landing areas for jumping events properly prepared and marked
•Starting blocks and hurdles positioned safely with adequate run-up space

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Throwing event equipment striking participants or spectators
•Collisions during running events or relay changeovers
•Overexertion in competitive atmosphere
•Trips and falls from excitement and rushing between events

Risk Mitigation

•Clear throwing areas with designated retrieval procedures
•Adequate spacing between events and supervised transitions
•Regular hydration breaks and monitoring of student fatigue levels
•Clear boundaries and movement procedures between stations

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Minimum one adult per event station with throwing events requiring extra supervision
•Roving supervision to monitor overall safety and student welfare
•First aid trained adult immediately available with clear access routes

Emergency Procedures

Clear access routes for emergency vehicles, established communication system between stations, immediate first aid protocols for common athletics injuries