KS2 · Physical education · Year 5
Relay changeovers
Athletics: enhanced athletic challenges
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/9
Your learning goal
I can explain when and where relay changeovers take place on a track and apply tactics when taking part in a relay race.
1 of 9
Relay changeovers: 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 explain when and where relay changeovers take place on a track and apply tactics when taking part in a relay race.
Key learning points
- Move: before we receive the relay baton, we start to run forwards with our hand behind us and palm up.
- Think: the baton needs to be exchanged in the changeover zone so that our team does not get disqualified.
- Feel: trying our best even if we find the changeover difficult demonstrates excellent self-motivation and teamwork.
- Connect: we communicate with each other when exchanging the baton to ensure we do not run outside the changeover zone.
Words to know
- relay
- a type of race where a team of runners takes turns running different sections of the race
- team
- a group of people who work together with the objective of achieving the same goal
- changeover zone
- a designated area on the track where the baton must be passed from one runner to the next
Common mistakes
When pupils are receiving the baton, they turn their body to face the incoming runner to give them a better view and try to grab the baton from them.
Explain to pupils that although this technique may seem easier, it will cause their team to lose speed. Pupils should face forwards, with their hand out behind them and communicate to ensure the exchange is successful.
For parents, carers and teachers
- Placing the quicker team in the outside lane of the track will challenge them more as on some older tracks they will have to run a slightly further distance. However, the inner lane is also a challenge as it has tight bends to manage which can make runners run out of lane and run slower.