**Lesson Plan for Junior Secondary 3 Physical and Health Education**
**Topic: Combined Events**
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### **Lesson Overview:**
This lesson aims to introduce students to combined events in athletics, emphasizing the Decathlon and Heptathlon. It will cover the basic rules, types of events included, skills required, and the importance of fitness, coordination, and strategy in combined events. The lesson will also include practical activities to engage students in select combined event challenges.
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### **Objectives:**
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Define combined events and recognize their significance in athletics.
2. Identify and describe the events included in the Decathlon and Heptathlon.
3. Demonstrate basic techniques for selected events in a combined event.
4. Understand the importance of physical fitness and strategy in achieving success in combined events.
5. Show improved coordination, strength, and endurance through practical activities.
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### **Materials Needed:**
- Athletics track or field
- Stopwatches
- Measuring tape
- Hurdles
- Shot puts (or safe alternatives)
- Starting blocks
- High jump equipment or modified alternatives
- Javelins or safe alternatives (e.g., foam javelins)
- Long jump pit or sandpit
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### **Lesson Structure:**
#### **Introduction (10 minutes):**
- **Greeting and Warm-Up Activities:**
- Gentle jogging around the track (2-3 laps)
- Dynamic stretches focusing on legs, arms, and core (e.g., leg swings, arm circles, lunges)
- **Introduction to Combined Events:**
- Brief discussion on what combined events are (Decathlon for men, Heptathlon for women)
- Explanation of the significance of combined events in athletics
#### **Exploration (15 minutes):**
- **Overview of Events:**
- Decathlon events: 100m, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400m, 110m hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, 1500m
- Heptathlon events: 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin throw, 800m
- **Skills and Techniques Demonstration:**
- Choose a few representative events to demonstrate basic techniques (e.g., 100m sprint start, shot put throw, long jump approach and takeoff)
#### **Activity 1: Sprint and Jump Skills (20 minutes):**
- **100m Dash Practice:**
- Students practice sprint starts and running techniques in small groups
- **Long Jump Practice:**
- Focus on approach, takeoff, and landing
- Encourage students to try a few jumps and receive feedback
#### **Activity 2: Strength and Endurance Skills (20 minutes):**
- **Shot Put Practice:**
- Demonstrate the glide technique and have students practice throws in a safe area
- **800m Run Strategy:**
- Discuss pacing strategies for middle-distance running
- Students practice running an 800m distance, focusing on maintaining a steady pace
#### **Cool Down and Reflection (10 minutes):**
- **Cool Down:**
- Gentle jogging or walking for 2-3 minutes
- Static stretching focusing on major muscle groups used (quads, hamstrings, calves, shoulders)
- **Reflection Discussion:**
- Reflect on the challenges and skills experienced during the activities
- Discuss the importance of physical fitness and strategy in combined events
### **Assessment:**
- Observation of student participation and technique during practical activities
- Group discussion feedback on the understanding of combined events
### **Closure:**
- Summarize key points of the lesson
- Motivate students to explore more about combined events and practice different athletic skills
- Inform students about the next lesson or continuing practice opportunities
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### **Extension/Optional Activities:**
- Introduction to the scoring system for combined events
- Research project on famous decathletes and heptathletes and their achievements
- Organize a mini combined event competition during a future class or as a school event
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This lesson plan provides a structured approach to introducing students to the dynamic and diverse world of combined events in athletics, fostering both their physical abilities and understanding of athletic strategies.