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Year 6 - Physical education

Controlling the body: balance and control

Parkour: developing confidence and creative movement

Unit Summary

This unit will focus on introducing the fundamentals of parkour, learning how to move efficiently and creatively. Pupils will learn how to run, jump, land, balance and vault safely with a focus on good body control, coordination and spatial awareness.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to perform both static and dynamic balances on rails and benches showing accuracy, control and coordination.

Key Notes

  • Move: walking on a rail requires core stability and proprioception to place the feet accurately.
  • Move: balance requires ankle strength and stability to keep the body centred over the rail.
  • Think: correct foot placement is what keeps you safe and makes it easier to balance for a longer distance.
  • Feel: the more relaxed you can be, the easier it is to balance.
  • Connect: working with a partner can help you relax and build up skill safely.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • balance: the ability to maintain control of the body's position while still or moving, especially on narrow or unstable surfaces
  • proprioception: the body's ability to sense its position and orientation in space without relying on visual input
  • stability: the ability to maintain control of your body during movement, landings or when holding a position

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils often look directly down at their feet which shifts their head forward and throws them off their centre of gravity. Pupils are often overly tense when balancing.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Move: walking on a rail requires core stability and proprioception to place the feet accurately. Move: balance requires ankle strength and stability to keep the body centred over the rail.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'balance'

the ability to maintain control of the body's position while still or moving, especially on narrow or unstable surfaces.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: Pupils often look directly down at their feet which shifts their head forward and throws them off their centre of gravity. Pupils are often overly tense when balancing. Correction: For safety in parkour, pupils should focus just in front/ahead of their feet. Pupils should stay relaxed especially in their arms and shoulders.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 6 Physical education guide library.