Grade 5 Physical And Health Education Athletic Truck Events – Flight And Hurdle Clearance Notes
Physical & Health Education — Athletic Track Events
Subtopic: Flight and Hurdle Clearance (for age 10)
What this note helps you learn:
- What a hurdle is and how to clear it safely.
- The simple steps of approach, take-off, flight (clearance) and landing.
- Practice drills and safety rules for school lessons in Kenya.
Equipment and place
- Flat running track, school field or hard-play area that is even.
- Low training hurdles or cones (for young learners use low height or cones).
- Good shoes or running trainers. Teacher or coach to watch.
Warm-up (5–10 minutes)
- Light jog (2–3 minutes).
- Dynamic stretches — leg swings, hip circles, ankle rolls.
- Drills: high knees, skipping, butt-kicks (30–50 m each).
Basic words to know
- Approach: The run to the hurdle.
- Take-off: The last step before you jump.
- Flight / Clearance: When the body goes over the hurdle.
- Lead leg: The leg you push over first.
- Trail leg: The leg that follows and passes under the hurdle.
Step-by-step (easy version for 10-year-olds)
- Run with rhythm: Take steady small steps to the hurdle (not too fast).
- Last step and push: On the step before the hurdle, push strongly with the foot to make a small jump.
- Lead leg: Stretch your lead leg straight (but not locked) to go over the hurdle. Point the toe slightly up.
- Trail leg: Fold the trail leg and pull it quickly under you and past the hurdle.
- Land and run: Land on the lead foot and take 1–2 quick steps to continue to the next hurdle.
Simple picture: hurdles and runner
(Hurdles are low and spaced for children — teacher decides exact spacing)
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Simple drills to practice
- Hurdle walk-overs: Walk over very low hurdles slowly to learn foot placement.
- Lead-leg drill: Step up to a low hurdle and swing one leg (the lead) over without using the other leg.
- Trail-leg drill: Sit or kneel and practice bringing the trail leg through quickly.
- Mini-hurdle runs: Run between low hurdles spaced close to practise rhythm.
- Lines or cones: Use cones if no hurdles — step over cones to copy motion.
Safety rules (very important)
- Always warm up and stretch before practising.
- Use low hurdles for young learners — do not use high competition hurdles.
- Check ground is even and not slippery.
- Teacher must watch and help one group at a time.
- If you hit a hurdle, do not try to stop suddenly — keep balance and step out safely.
Common mistakes and tips
- Jumping too high — keep low and fast over the hurdle.
- Not using a lead leg — decide which leg leads and practise it.
- Trail leg left behind — tuck it quickly under the body.
- Slow recovery — after landing take quick steps to keep running.
How a teacher can assess a pupil (simple checklist)
- Warm-up done correctly.
- Safe approach and take-off.
- Lead leg goes over cleanly (not too flat or too high).
- Trail leg moves quickly under the body.
- Good landing and quick run afterwards.
Remember: At age 10 we focus on learning the correct movement, keeping safe and enjoying the activity. Repeat small practice steps and praise effort.
Quick teacher note (Kenyan primary schools):
Use school hurdles or cones, keep the group small, and do short sessions (10–20 minutes). Encourage teamwork, safety and fun.