Athletics — Running and Jumping — Year 3 Lesson Plan
National Curriculum: PE KS2 — use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and in combination; compare their performances with previous ones and demonstrate improvement
Overview
Pupils develop running technique for speed and endurance, and jumping technique for distance and height. They learn to set personal targets, measure and record performance, and understand how body mechanics affect athletic performance.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate correct sprinting technique: forward lean, high knees, arm drive.
- Pace themselves for a sustained running effort of at least 400m.
- Perform a standing long jump with a two-footed take-off and controlled landing.
- Measure and record distances and times, setting personal improvement targets.
Key Vocabulary
Suggested Lesson Structure
Dynamic warm-up: high knees, heel flicks, bounding strides, lateral shuffles — 20m each. Leg swings and arm circles. Begin at jogging pace and build to 75% sprint effort on the final lap. Discuss: how does your body feel different at full sprint effort vs. jogging?
Focus on technique. Standing start: weight forward, drive first step explosively. Running action: forward lean, high knees, powerful arm drive (not crossing the body). Pupils sprint 30m and self-evaluate: did my arms cross? Did I look down? Peer observation: one pupil watches and gives one piece of feedback from the technique checklist. Repeat with improvement focus.
400m (approximately one lap of a standard track or equivalent). Pupils predict their time before running. Debrief: who went off too fast? What happens when you misjudge your pace? Link to race strategy — even pace or negative split (slightly faster second half).
Technique: feet shoulder-width apart, bend knees and swing arms back, then spring forwards with a two-footed take-off. Arms swing forward on take-off to add momentum. Land on two feet, bending knees. Measure from take-off line to closest landing point. Each pupil takes three attempts and records their best.
Slow walk, then static stretches: hamstring, quads, calf, hip flexor. Record personal bests. Set one target each: e.g. 'I will improve my long jump by 5cm by the end of this unit.'
Common Misconceptions
- Running with arms pumping across the body is fine — crossing the arms wastes energy and affects balance; arms should drive straight forward and back.
- The furthest point of landing is what we measure — we measure from the take-off line to the nearest point of landing (feet, or body if pupil falls back).
Prior Knowledge
Pupils should already be able to:
- Year 1 PE: fundamental jumping technique and running.
- Year 2 PE: experience of games and competitive activity.
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