Grade 6 Physical And Health Education Field Events – Facility And Equipment In High Jump Notes
Field Events — High Jump
Subtopic: Facility and Equipment in High Jump
These notes explain the place and items needed for high jump in a Kenyan primary school. They are written for learners aged 11. Read them before your PE lesson or school sports day.
1. Main parts of the high jump area
- Runway (approach): A straight area where you run towards the bar. In school, it is usually about 10–15 metres long.
- Take-off area (board or spot): The place where the jumper plants the foot to jump. It is near the bar and must be safe and firm.
- Crossbar: A light horizontal bar that rests on two uprights. It shows how high you must jump.
- Uprights (stands): Two posts that hold the crossbar. They should be adjustable to set different heights.
- Landing area (mats/pit): Big soft mats where the jumper lands. This must be thick and cover the landing zone well.
2. Equipment list (school level)
- Crossbar (PVC or light metal) — easier to fall off than heavy bars.
- Adjustable uprights/stands.
- Landing mats (at least one large mat or a stack of soft mats).
- Measuring tape — measure how high the bar is (in metres and centimetres).
- Chalk or marker — mark the take-off spot and run-up start.
- Brush or broom — clear the runway from stones or dust.
- Safety cones or markers — keep people away from the jump area during attempts.
3. Simple recommended sizes (for primary schools)
- Runway: about 10–15 m long and 1 m wide.
- Landing mats: large enough to cover where the jumper will land — commonly about 2 m × 3 m for school use, or a stack of mats forming a thick, soft area.
- Height increases: change the bar by small steps (for beginners +5 cm or +10 cm).
4. Safety rules (very important)
- Always check the mats: no tears, no hard objects, and they should be flat and stable.
- Make sure the crossbar is light and will fall off the uprights easily if hit.
- Keep the area clear — no one should stand near the take-off or landing zone while someone jumps.
- Use spotters (classmates or teachers) when beginners practice.
- Warm up before attempts — running, skipping, stretches.
- Teachers should set safe heights for each pupil and increase gradually.
5. How to set up the area (step-by-step for teachers)
- Clear and sweep the runway so it is smooth and safe.
- Place the uprights a few steps before the mats and set the crossbar at a low safe height.
- Position mats so they cover where the jumper will fall. Check for gaps and firm ground underneath.
- Mark the take-off spot with chalk or cone so pupils know where to jump from.
- Measure the bar height with a tape and record each pupil’s best height.
6. Teacher tips and Kenyan school ideas
- Use affordable PVC bars and strong mats. Some schools share equipment during county meets.
- Start lessons with basic drills: run-ups, a few practice jumps onto a low mat, and rolls onto the back to learn safe landing.
- Arrange pupils in small groups so each gets many tries and stays safe.
- Encourage praise and small rewards during school sports day to build confidence.
7. Simple diagram (top view)
Below is a simple picture showing the runway, take-off spot, crossbar and landing mat.
8. Quick practice plan (20 minutes)
- 5 min warm-up: jogging, high knees, leg swings.
- 5 min run-up practice: mark 6–8 steps and try the approach slowly.
- 6 min low jumps: jump onto a thick mat and practise the take-off and landing.
- 4 min cool down and talk about safety and what went well.
Remember: The most important things are safety and having fun. Always listen to your teacher and use the correct equipment.
Prepared for: Physical and Health Education — Field Events (High Jump). Suitable for Kenyan primary schools, age 11.