Fundamental Skills of Sports - Athletics
Class 8 · Physical Education and Well Being
4 ideas in Class 8 Physical Education and Well Being, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
Crouch Starts
Part of: Run, jump and race
Crouch starts launch sprints: stronger leg on the front block, foot tips touching, hands bridged, eyes on the ground, and hips rising at set over four support areas.
Why it matters. Starts decide sprint outcomes. Blocks plus posture convert nerves into acceleration.
Try it in two minutes
- Place stronger foot forward in a lunge.
- Bridge thumbs and fingers on the ground.
- Practise still starts on claps.
Try at home. Practise standing starts for short dashes at the park.
Sprint Phases and Finish
Part of: Run, jump and race
Sprints flow through reaction, acceleration and top speed, then finish with maintained pace plus lean. Run Through holds speed past the line, Lunge stretches a leg, and Shoulder Shrug steals close tapes.
Why it matters. Phases organise training: start, drive, hold, finish. Tape tricks win medals.
Try it in two minutes
- Practise 10 metre accelerations.
- Hold top speed through a marked line.
- Lean gently at an imaginary tape.
Try at home. Race 20 metres without slowing before the line.
Jumps: Long and High
Part of: Run, jump and race
Long jumps chain approach, quick flat take-off, flight and feet-first landing. High jump straddle clears face down, lead leg first, landing on shoulders and back.
Why it matters. Jump phases turn speed into distance and height. Each phase has one job.
Try it in two minutes
- Hop 3 steps and land feet first.
- Practise knee-drive take-offs.
- Land softly with knees apart.
Try at home. Mark a take-off line and practise 3-step jumps.
Relays and Obstacles
Part of: Run, jump and race
Shuttle relays hinge on runner order and line gaps, while Trikona Kainchi Kuda triangles A, B and C 10 metres apart with boxes, cones and hurdles test all-round speed.
Why it matters. Order strategy wins relays. Obstacles blend running, jumping and thinking.
Try it in two minutes
- Order a 4-runner shuttle by strength.
- Walk a triangle course before racing it.
- Head a soft ball after 3 steps.
Try at home. Build a cushion obstacle loop and time family runs.
What your child will practise
- Crouch Starts: Desert Quest (Flip and Match)
- Crouch Starts: Mission Control Quest (Match It Up)
- Jumps: Long and High: Desert Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Relays and Obstacles: Candy Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Sprint Phases and Finish: Explorer'S Map Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Quiz: Crouch Starts (8 questions)
- Quiz: Jumps: Long and High (8 questions)
- Quiz: Relays and Obstacles (8 questions)
- Quiz: Sprint Phases and Finish (8 questions)