KS2 · Physical education · Year 4
Introduction to pacing
Athletics: athletic challenges developed
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/10
Your learning goal
I can explore how to pace myself when running over a longer distance.
1 of 10
Introduction to pacing: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.
What you’ll learn
I can explore how to pace myself when running over a longer distance.
Key learning points
- Move: when running longer distances we need relaxed shoulders, arms swinging naturally and a comfortable stride length.
- Move: long distance running requires a steady pace and rhythm that you can keep up for a long time saving energy.
- Think: if we sprint during a long distance race and do not pace ourselves, we run out of energy and have to slow down.
- Feel: pacing ourselves over a longer distance requires us to be self-disciplined to make sure we can finish the race.
- Connect: we can help our partners improve their pacing by communicating whether they need to speed up or slow down.
Words to know
- long distance
- a type of running race or activity that covers a significant distance
- pacing
- running at a speed that we can keep up for a long time
- energy
- a fuel for our body which helps us to move and do things
Common mistakes
Pupils sprint and then slow up and then sprint again and slow again, especially at the start of the run.
Explain that having a steady rhythm may not get pupils to the front initially, but their overall time will be quicker than if they sprint and stop continuously.
For parents, carers and teachers
- Ensure the track set up is large enough for half the class to run at once. Alternatively, you can create 2 tracks and split the class.