Sprint Technique Focus

Lesson 1 Refining Technique & Body Awareness Warm Up: (5 min) – "Move around the space with prompts: Walk → Jog → Quick feet Freeze! Show running arms Lift knees high Run tall Focus language: “Look ahead… lift your knees… swing arms… land on balls of your feet.”" Skill: Explicit Teaching (5 min): "Practice 5–10 m sprints focusing on: Arm swing forward/back with bent elbows High knees Heels lift toward bottom Eyes looking straight ahead Feet running along an imaginary straight line Discuss: “Which part of your body felt easiest to control? Hardest?” Watch for errors: looking down, arms crossing body, landing on heels." Skill: Skill Practice Stations (20 min): "Station 1 – Arms in Action Students jog in place and swing arms correctly, imagining “hammering nails” with elbows. Station 2 – Feet & Knee Focus Run 5–10 m lines lifting knees high, landing on balls of feet, focus on straight line. Station 3 – Partner Observation Run side by side; partners give feedback on arm swing, knee lift, posture. " Game: Whole-Class Game (7 min): “Traffic Lights Sprint” Teacher calls: Green = sprint with high knees, Yellow = jog with strong arms, Red = freeze in sprint start pose, Blue = sprint on spot heels to bottom. Cool Down/Reflection "Which body part helped you run faster today? What was hardest to control? What changed when you looked at the ground instead of ahead? What is one thing to practise next lesson?"

Lesson 2 Arm Action & Stride Control Warm Up: (5 min) "Run in place and along small lanes, focus on: Step → Hop → Step rhythm Eyes forward, arms swinging Landing on balls of feet" Skill: Explicit Teaching (5 min): "Practice arm action: bent elbows, swing forward/back, no crossing midline. Run on spot inside hoops or ropes, lifting knees, heels to bottom, arms in rhythm. Explore running at different speeds: walk, jog, fast run, sprint. Discuss foot contact at each speed." Skill: Skill Practice Stations (20 min): "Station 1 – Lane Sprints Lane 1: Short steps → low knees Lane 2: Longer steps → medium knees Lane 3: Sprint → high knees, heels to bottom Station 2 – Arm Experimentation Try different hand positions (baton, fingers together, gentle curl). Station 3 – Mini Sprints with Partner Feedback 10–15 m sprints, partners observe posture, arm swing, and knee lift." Game: Whole-Class Game (7 min): “Sprint Tag” Teams do short sprints; tagged players focus on arm swing and running tall. Cool Down/Reflection "How did lifting knees higher change your speed? How did swinging your arms help? Which hand position felt most comfortable? What part of sprinting felt stronger today?"

Lesson 3 Sprinting with Control & Direction Warm Up: (5 min) "Teacher calls different “animal runs”: Mouse (tiny steps), Kangaroo (big legs & arms), Ostrich (long strides), Cheetah (fast feet). Freeze in sprint pose between each run." Skill: Explicit Teaching (5 min): "Run down narrow lanes (chalk, cones, ropes) focusing on: Straight line Toes pointing forward Eyes forward Arm swing & high knees Common errors: toes turned out, wide steps, leaning forward." Skill: Skill Practice Stations (20 min): "Station 1 – Straight Line Sprint Students run 10 m focusing on tall body, arms forward/back, eyes ahead. Station 2 – Partner Chase One student runs, partner follows maintaining proper technique, then swap. Station 3 – Step Progressions Walk → jog → sprint; Jog → fast run → sprint; focus on foot placement, arm rhythm, landing." "Game: Whole-Class Game (7 min): “Sprint Catch-Up” " One runner starts 3 m ahead, partner tries to catch using correct technique. Cool Down/Reflection "How did landing on balls of your feet affect your speed? Did longer steps feel easier or harder than quick steps? What helped you stay in a straight line? Which part of running do you want to practise more?"

Lesson 4 Applying Sprint Run in Games Warm Up: (5 min) "Music-based running: Slow beat = jog, medium beat = run, fast beat = sprint Focus on matching rhythm, tall body, arms swinging correctly." "Skill: Explicit Teaching (5 min): " "Explore starting positions: standing, one knee down, crouched. Emphasise: fast first steps, arms driving, eyes forward." Skill: Skill Practice Stations (20 min): "Station 1 – Obstacle Sprint Path Zig Zag cones, straight lane, quick-feet ladder. Emphasise control and straight running. Station 2 – Lane Technique Practice 10 m lanes; elbows bent, arms forward/back, knees high, balls of feet landing. Station 3 – Team Relay Teams sprint down and back; focus on correct technique, not winning." "Skill: Whole-Class Game (7 min): “Sprint Challenge Circuit” " "Rotate through obstacle sprint, lane sprint, and mini-relay. Teacher praises technique, rhythm, and body control over speed." Cool Down/Reflection "Which sprint skill did you use most in the game? Did you feel more controlled than Week 1? Why? What was a moment you used great technique? What still feels tricky about sprinting? If you could change one thing about your running, what would it be?"