Developing Speed and Agility

Overview

This lesson is the second in a three-lesson unit titled "Athletics Carnival Prep", aimed at Year 5 students in Western Australia. It focuses on developing sprinting speed and agility as foundational skills for track events. The lesson incorporates practical activities aligned with the Western Australian Curriculum for Health and Physical Education, specifically addressing movement skill development and physical fitness.

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Curriculum Links

Western Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education (Year 5)

• Content Descriptor:
  AC9HP6M01
  Adapt and modify movement skills across a variety of situations.
  • Includes applying stability and locomotor skills such as dodging, feinting, and transitioning between skills (e.g., sprinting).
• Content Descriptor:
  AC9HP6M04
  Participate in physical activities to investigate the body’s reaction to different levels of intensity.
• Content Descriptor:
  Movement Skill Focus:
  Develop competence in specialised movement skills, including sprinting techniques and agility (e.g., changing directions efficiently).

General Capabilities: Physical Literacy, Personal and Social Capability (encouraging cooperation and self-reflection)

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Lesson Details

Lesson Title:	Developing Speed and Agility
Year Level:	Year 5
Duration:	55 minutes
Class Size:	28 students
Unit:	Athletics Carnival Prep (Lesson 2 of 3)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate effective sprinting technique focusing on body posture, arm action, and foot placement.
2. Participate in relay races that promote speed and teamwork.
3. Perform agility drills involving quick directional changes.
4. Reflect on how speed and agility influence performance in athletics.
5. Experience physiological responses to high-intensity movement through warm-up and cool-down.

These objectives directly address AC9HP6M01 (adapt and modify movement skills) and AC9HP6M04 (investigate bodily responses to activity intensity) of the Western Australian Curriculum.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction & Warm-Up (10 minutes)

• Activity:
  Begin with an engaging dynamic warm-up incorporating light jogging, high knees, butt kicks, and stretching.
  Follow with relay races in small groups of 4-5 students to promote motivation and activate speed and agility muscles.
• Purpose:
  Increase heart rate gradually, prepare muscles for sprinting, and introduce competitive, cooperative practice of speed.
• Teaching Points:
  Emphasise communication during baton passing and encourage proper running form.

2. Skill Acquisition – Sprinting Technique and Agility Drills (30 minutes)

• Activity 1: Sprinting Technique (15 minutes)

  • Teach sprinting fundamentals: upright torso, relaxed shoulders, elbows driving back and forth, quick knee lift, and toe strike just under the body.
  • Practise short sprints (10-20m) focusing on technique. Use cones to mark start and finish lines.
  • Provide individual feedback and visual demonstrations.
  • Students practice in pairs or small groups, alternating sprinting and observing.

• Activity 2: Agility Drills (15 minutes)

  • Set up cone drills such as shuttle runs, zig-zag runs, and "T-drill" to encourage rapid changes of direction with control.
  • Emphasise quick foot placement and body control to maintain speed through turns.
  • Integrate competitive elements by timing each student or team for motivation.

3. Cool Down & Group Discussion (10 minutes)

• Activity:
  Cool down with 5 minutes of light jogging followed by static stretching targeting leg muscles.
• Discussion:
  Facilitate a guided conversation:
  • "How did your body feel during sprints and agility drills?"
  • "Why is speed important in athletics?"
  • "How do quick changes in direction help in different track and field events?"
    Encourage students to share insights to connect physical experiences with athletic performance concepts.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative Assessment:
  • Observe students’ sprinting technique and agility movements during drills.
  • Provide corrective feedback to improve posture, arm action, and footwork.
• Reflection:
  • Use the group discussion to assess students' understanding of how speed and agility impact athletics.
  • Encourage self-assessment with guiding questions: "What did I do well?" and "What can I improve?"

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Resources Needed

• Cones for marking sprint and agility circuits
• Stopwatch or timer
• Whistle
• Space for sprinting and agility activities (athletics oval or sports field)

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Teacher Notes

• Ensure safety by checking the running surface is even and free of hazards.
• Encourage positive peer feedback during relay races and drills to promote teamwork.
• Differentiate by offering less and more challenging drill options according to student ability.
• Use clear demonstrations and possibly video analysis if available to reinforce technique.

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This lesson plan encourages holistic development of speed and agility skills, perfectly aligned with the Western Australian Curriculum's requirements for Year 5 Health and Physical Education, fostering both physical competence and reflective understanding of athletic performance.

If you need a detailed lesson plan for Lesson 3 or modifications, please let me know!