Lesson 6 - Advanced Relay Orienteering
From Team Challenges to Tactical Orienteering
•Year 9
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can effective communication and tactical planning transform individual navigation skills into powerful team performance?
Learning Objectives
- To develop advanced orienteering skills through team-based relay challenges
- To demonstrate tactical awareness and communication in competitive orienteering scenarios
- To evaluate and improve team performance through reflection and strategy refinement
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully complete relay orienteering courses using advanced navigation techniques
- Teams will demonstrate effective communication and tactical decision-making under time pressure
- Students will analyse their performance and identify strategies for improvement in future orienteering activities
Equipment & Resources Required
Protected in plastic wallets, clearly marked with course information
Alternative: Laminated maps, digital maps on tablets
Orange and white orienteering flags positioned according to master map
Alternative: QR codes, written clues, photo checkpoints
Pre-printed with control point numbers and country name spaces
Alternative: Digital recording sheets, mobile apps
Attached to scorecards with string to prevent loss
Alternative: Waterproof pens, digital stylus
Arranged in 5x6 grid pattern with 5m spacing
Alternative: Markers, sports equipment, natural features
For monitoring relay completion times and activity durations
Alternative: Mobile phone timer, multiple stopwatches
Key Vocabulary
Aligning the map so that it matches the direction you are facing in the real world
A specific location marked on the map where orienteers must visit and record their presence
Strategic decisions about route choice, team member selection, and timing in relay competitions
A clearly identifiable feature near the control point from which the final approach is made
Each individual section of the relay course that one team member completes
The ability to memorise map details and route plans before leaving the map
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic map reading and symbol recognition
- Individual orienteering navigation skills
- Understanding of compass bearings and basic route planning
Current Skills
- Advanced relay orienteering techniques
- Team communication and tactical planning
- Map memory and efficient navigation strategies
Next Steps
- Multi-day orienteering expeditions
- Leadership roles in outdoor education
- Advanced wilderness navigation and survival skills
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Map orientation is the foundation of all successful navigation - always orient before memorising
- Effective communication between team members is crucial for relay success - practice clear, specific language
- Tactical thinking involves matching team members' strengths to course demands - plan strategically
- Accuracy in navigation is more important than speed - mistakes cost more time than careful technique
- Resilience and positive team dynamics maintain performance under competitive pressure
- Memory navigation requires focus on key features, not excessive detail - identify the essentials
- Continuous adaptation and learning from experience leads to improved performance over time
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking that speed is more important than accuracy in navigation - emphasise technique first
- Believing that the fastest runner should always go first in relay - match abilities to course demands
- Assuming that memorising every map detail is necessary - focus on key navigational features only
- Thinking that individual performance matters more than team coordination - emphasise collaborative success
- Believing that getting lost is failure - frame it as learning opportunity and problem-solving challenge
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Clearly defined tasks with regular check-ins, movement breaks built into activities, simplified tactical focus points
dyspraxia
- Enhanced spatial awareness activities, additional practice time for navigation skills, simplified route choices, supportive team partnerships
autism spectrum
- Predictable routines and clear structure, quiet reflection spaces available, visual schedule of activities, reduced sensory overload
visual impairment
- Large print maps with high contrast, tactile map features, buddy navigation system, audio descriptions of course layout
hearing impairment
- Visual communication signals, written instruction cards, clear visual demonstrations, vibrating timer for alerts
physical disability
- Modified course distances, alternative navigation methods, wheelchair-accessible routes, adapted equipment for recording
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Distance estimation and measurement, timing and data recording, statistical analysis of performance results, problem-solving strategies
Science
Understanding of forces and motion in navigation, weather impact on outdoor activities, human body response to exercise and endurance
Geography
Map reading skills, understanding of scale and symbols, spatial awareness and location knowledge, compass work and direction
PSHE
Teamwork and collaboration skills, leadership development, resilience building, communication and trust-building exercises
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Position for maximum course visibility, move between key control points during competition, maintain central base for coordination
Observation Focus
Monitor navigation accuracy, team communication effectiveness, safety compliance and tactical development throughout activities
Intervention Points
Support struggling teams with navigation guidance, ensure safety protocols followed, encourage positive team dynamics
Demonstration Notes
Show map orientation technique clearly, demonstrate efficient handover procedures, model tactical thinking processes visually
Verbal Cues
- •'Orient your map first!'
- •'Communicate clearly with your team!'
- •'Accuracy before speed!'
- •'Champions adapt their tactics!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large outdoor area minimum 100m x 100m, clearly defined boundaries, varied terrain suitable for orienteering
Surface Check
Even ground checked for holes, obstacles or hazards, suitable for running, clearly marked boundaries
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Control flags securely positioned and visible, no sharp edges on mounting equipment
- •Maps in protective covers to prevent damage, pencils secured to prevent loss
- •Emergency whistle with teacher, first aid kit readily accessible
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Students becoming lost or separated from group during navigation
- •Injuries from running on uneven ground or collision with obstacles
- •Weather-related risks including hypothermia or heat exhaustion
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established with return protocols, emergency procedures explained
- •Course design avoids hazardous areas, teacher supervision points identified
- •Weather monitoring with indoor alternative available, appropriate clothing requirements
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Teacher positioned for maximum course visibility with mobile supervision
- •Emergency procedures clearly communicated to all participants
- •Regular headcounts and team check-ins during extended activities
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately on whistle signal, students return to base immediately, appropriate first aid response and emergency contact protocols