Lesson 8 - Officiating & Teamwork
Multi-Discipline Mastery
•Year 6
•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 work as a team to create a fair and accurate athletics competition?
Learning Objectives
- To work collaboratively in a team to develop the officiating skills of measuring, timing and recording
- To demonstrate accurate timing, measuring and recording techniques in athletic events
- To understand the importance of fair play and honest officiating in competitive sport
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully officiate at least two athletic events using accurate measuring and timing techniques
- Students will work collaboratively in squads, sharing roles and responsibilities fairly
- Students will demonstrate understanding of athletic event rules and safety procedures
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed across different event stations for marking boundaries and distances
Alternative: Markers, chalk lines for boundaries
At discus station with clear throwing area marked
Alternative: Foam discus, flying discs for safety
Spaced 5m apart on 25m hurdles course
Alternative: Foam hurdles, cones with poles for lower ability
At shot put station with throwing line clearly marked
Alternative: Bean bags, soft medicine balls
One per event station for recording results
Alternative: Pens, clipboards with attached pencils
At timed event stations (sprint, hurdles, long distance)
Alternative: Smartphone timer apps, large display stopwatches
At field events for measuring throws and jumps
Alternative: Trundle wheels, pre-measured rope markers
One instruction sheet at each event station
Alternative: Laminated instruction cards
Distributed to all students at start of lesson
Alternative: Digital recording sheets on tablets
Key Vocabulary
To act as an official in a sports event, ensuring rules are followed and recording results accurately
A competition where athletes compete in multiple track and field events
A small team of athletes who work together and compete for combined points
An individual's best performance in a particular event
Athletic events that include running (track) and jumping/throwing (field) competitions
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of athletic events from previous units
- Experience of participating in individual athletic activities
- Basic teamwork and communication skills
Current Skills
- Collaborative planning and decision-making in athletic contexts
- Accurate measuring, timing and recording techniques
- Understanding of officiating roles and responsibilities
Next Steps
- Leading school sports day events as officials
- Mentoring younger students in athletic activities
- Advanced competitive athletics with complex scoring systems
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise accuracy and honesty in all officiating roles
- Ensure equal participation opportunities within squads
- Connect athletic performance to personal improvement rather than just winning
- Model and expect fair play and sportsmanship throughout
- Use specific, positive language when recognising achievements
- Maintain safety vigilance especially during throwing events
- Encourage collaborative decision-making within squads
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think winning is more important than fair officiating
- Some may believe only fast/strong students can contribute to athletics
- Students might think officiating is less important than competing
- May assume that personal best only means fastest or furthest
- Could think that pointing out errors in officiating is being negative
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter event rotations, clear role definitions, regular movement between different types of activity
dyspraxia
- Simplified equipment handling, extra practice time for officiating skills, peer support for complex measurements
autism spectrum
- Clear structure with visual timetables for event rotation, quiet zones available during intense activity
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured equipment, verbal descriptions of all activities, buddy system for officiating support
hearing impairment
- Visual start signals for races, written instruction cards at stations, clear visual demonstrations
physical disability
- Modified distances and heights, alternative throwing implements, seated officiating roles where appropriate
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Clear communication during officiating, recording results accurately, giving constructive feedback
Maths
Measuring distances in metres and centimetres, recording and comparing times, calculating team scores
Science
Understanding forces in throwing events, measuring speed and distance, recording and analysing data
PSHE
Teamwork and collaboration, fair play and honesty, resilience and determination in competition
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Circulate between event stations, spending extra time at throwing events for safety monitoring
Observation Focus
Watch for accurate officiating techniques, fair play, and effective squad collaboration
Intervention Points
Step in if officiating accuracy drops significantly or safety procedures are not followed
Demonstration Notes
Model precise officiating techniques and emphasise the importance of accuracy and fairness in competitive athletics
Verbal Cues
- •'Measure to the nearest point to the start line'
- •'Check the area is clear before throwing'
- •'Remember to record everyone's best attempt'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large teaching area 40m x 60m minimum, with clear zones for each event station
Surface Check
Level, non-slip surface suitable for running and throwing activities
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all throwing implements for cracks or damage
- •Ensure hurdles are stable and appropriate height
- •Verify stopwatches are working accurately
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during running events
- •Injury from throwing implements
- •Fatigue from sustained physical activity
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear safety zones marked around throwing events
- •Designated collection times for throwing implements
- •Regular hydration breaks during extended activity
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position teacher to observe throwing events closely
- •Monitor student fatigue levels throughout activities
- •Ensure clear communication between event officials
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activities immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, and contact school emergency procedures if needed