Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v3 - Junior Secondary 1
Contact and Non-Contact Sports
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Nigeria 2025 app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Contact and Non-Contact Sports
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Nigeria 2025 app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Physical & Health Education
Class: Junior Secondary 1
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 6
Theme: Sports And Games
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.
differentiate contact and non-contact sports; list examples of contacts and non-contacts sports; list the benefits of taking parts in contact and non-contact sports; demonstrate the common skills in contacts and non-contact sports; list safety measures in contact and non-contact sports
Sports And Games allowed, not necessary, or incidental and usually penalised. The focus is typically on individual performance, skill, precision, endurance, or strategy, without the need for physical engagement with an opponent.
Characteristics: Focus on Individual Skill/Technique: Emphasis on mastering specific movements, precision, and personal bests.
Minimal/No Direct Interaction: Players compete side-by-side or sequentially, not typically against each other physically.
Lower Risk of Collision Injuries: Though other injuries (e.g., overuse, sprains) can occur, direct collision injuries are rare.
Endurance and Precision: Many non-contact sports require significant stamina or fine motor control.
Examples in Nigerian Context:
1. Athletics: Track events (running, relays), Field events (long jump, high jump, shot put, javelin).
2. Table Tennis (Ping Pong): Players are separated by a net; no physical contact.
3. Badminton: Similar to table tennis, players are separated by a net.
4. Tennis: Players on opposite sides of a net.
5. Swimming: Individuals or teams compete in separate lanes.
6. Chess/Draughts: Mental sports with no physical exertion or contact.
7. Cycling: Competitors are generally not allowed to intentionally impede each other physically.
8. Golf: Individual play focused on hitting a ball into a hole.
Common Skills (Examples): Running Form (Athletics): Proper posture, arm swing, and stride length for efficiency and speed. Throwing Technique (Athletics - Shot Put/Javelin): Specific body mechanics to generate force and accuracy.
Serving (Table Tennis/Badminton/Tennis): Initiating play with a specific strike of the ball/shuttlecock.
Swimming Strokes (Swimming): Coordinated movements (e.g., freestyle, breaststroke) for propulsion through water. Dribbling in Open Space (Football individual drills): Practicing ball control without defensive pressure. C. Benefits of Taking Part in Sports (Both Contact and Non-Contact) Participating in any form of sport offers numerous advantages:
1. Physical Health: Improved cardiovascular health (stronger heart and lungs). Increased muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility. Better coordination, balance, and agility. Weight management and reduced risk of obesity. Stronger bones and improved posture. Enhanced immune system.
2. Mental and Emotional Health: Stress reduction and improved mood (due to endorphin release). Enhanced concentration and focus. Development of discipline and perseverance. Improved self-esteem and confidence. Ability to manage emotions, successes, and failures.
3. Social Development: Learning teamwork and cooperation (especially in team sports). Developing communication skills. Fostering sportsmanship, respect for rules, officials, and opponents. Building friendships and social networks. Developing leadership skills. D. Safety Measures in Contact and Non-Contact Sports Ensuring safety is paramount in all sports.
1. Warm-up and Cool-down: Essential before and after any physical activity to prepare the body for exertion and aid recovery, reducing muscle soreness and injury risk.
2. Appropriate Protective Equipment: Contact Sports: Helmets (e.g., boxing, rugby), mouthguards, shin guards (football), knee/elbow pads (handball, basketball).
Non-Contact Sports: Appropriate footwear (running shoes, tennis shoes), comfortable attire.
3. Adherence to Rules and Fair Play: Following established rules prevents dangerous actions and promotes a safe environment. Avoiding fouls and aggressive behaviour is crucial.
4. Hydration: Drinking sufficient water before, during, and after activity, especially in Nigeria's warm climate, prevents dehydration and heat-related illnesses.
5. Proper Skill Development and Technique: Learning and practicing correct techniques for movements (e.g., tackling, landing, throwing) minimises strain and injury risk.
6. Qualified Supervision and Coaching: An experienced coach or teacher can guide safe practices, teach proper techniques, and intervene if dangerous situations arise.
7. First Aid Availability: Access to basic first aid supplies and trained personnel (e.g., a teacher with first aid knowledge) is vital for immediate response to injuries.
8. Suitable Playing Environment: Ensuring the playing field, court, or track is free from hazards (e.g., broken glass, uneven surfaces, poor lighting) and well-maintained.
9. Listening to One's Body: Resting when tired or feeling pain, and not pushing through injuries.
3. Teaching and Learning Activities | Phase | Teacher Activities
A. Contact Sports Definition: These are sports where physical contact is part of the game. Players directly interact, often to gain an advantage or to prevent an opponent from achieving their objective.
Examples:
1. Football (Soccer): Players use their bodies to block, tackle, and jostle for ball possession.
2. Basketball: track is free from hazards (e.g., broken glass, uneven surfaces, poor lighting) and well-maintained.
9. Listening to One's Body: Resting when tired or feeling pain, and not pushing through injuries.
3. Teaching and Learning Activities | Phase | Teacher Activities
A. Contact Sports Definition: These are sports where physical contact is part of the game. Players directly interact, often to gain an advantage or to prevent an opponent from achieving their objective.
Examples:
1. Football (Soccer): Players use their bodies to block, tackle, and jostle for ball possession.
2. Basketball: Players make contact during screens, rebounding, and defensive plays.
3. Handball: Involves pushing, holding, and blocking opponents while attempting to score or defend.
4. Wrestling: Direct grappling and holds are central to the sport. This includes traditional forms like Dambe or Kokawa.
5. Rugby: Characterised by significant physical contact including tackling, scrums, and rucks.
Common Skills to Demonstrate: Football: Demonstrate a proper 'shadow tackle' (mimicking a tackle without an actual opponent, focusing on foot placement and body position) or a close-control dribble with imaginary defensive pressure.
Basketball: Demonstrate a defensive slide (staying low and moving laterally to guard an imaginary opponent) or a simple screen (standing still to block an imaginary opponent's path).
B. Non-Contact Sports Definition: These are sports where physical contact between players is either forbidden, unnecessary, or accidental and penalised. The emphasis is on individual skill, precision, speed, or endurance.
Examples:
1. Athletics: Running (e.g., sprints, long-distance), jumping (e.g., long jump, high jump), throwing (e.g., shot put, javelin).
2. Table Tennis: Players are separated by a net, and no contact occurs.
3. Badminton: Similar to table tennis, players are separated by a net.
4. Swimming: Competitors stay in their designated lanes, avoiding contact.
5. Chess/Draughts: Mental sports with no physical contact.
6. Cycling: While competitors are close, intentional physical contact to impede another rider is forbidden.
Common Skills to Demonstrate: Athletics (Running): Demonstrate a proper high-knee run (emphasising knee lift and arm swing for efficient running) or a simple broad jump (focusing on arm swing and landing technique).
Badminton/Table Tennis: Demonstrate a basic serve (holding the shuttlecock/ball and striking it with the racket/paddle to start a rally).
C. Benefits of Sports Participation (Both Contact and Non-Contact)
1. Physical Fitness Improvement: Regular participation enhances cardiovascular health, builds muscle strength and endurance, improves flexibility, balance, and coordination. It aids in weight management and prevents chronic diseases common in Nigeria (e.g., hypertension, diabetes).
2. Mental Acuity and Stress Reduction: Sports help improve focus, concentration, and strategic thinking. The physical exertion releases endorphins, reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting a positive mood, which is crucial for overall mental well-being.
3. Social Skills and Character Development: Team sports foster teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. All sports teach discipline, perseverance, sportsmanship, and respect for rules and opponents, which are valuable life lessons applicable in communities and future workplaces.
D. Safety Measures in Sports
1. Thorough Warm-up and Cool-down: Before any activity, a proper warm-up (e.g., light jogging, stretching) prepares muscles and joints, reducing injury risk. A cool-down after exercise helps in recovery.
2. Wearing Appropriate Protective Gear: This includes specific equipment like helmets, mouthguards, shin guards for contact sports (e.g., football in Nigeria, where shin guards are common). For all sports, appropriate footwear and comfortable attire are essential.
3. Strict Adherence to Rules and Fair Play: Following the established rules of the game prevents dangerous situations and promotes a respectful environment. This includes avoiding aggressive behaviour and intentional fouls.
4. Teaching and Learning Activities
A. Introduction (5-7 minutes)
Teacher Activity: Begins by asking students to name various sports they know or play in their communities/schools (e.g., football, athletics, ludo, swimming, Ayo, wrestling). Teacher writes them on the board. Teacher then asks if there's any difference in how players interact in these sports.
Student Activity: Students actively brainstorm and name sports. They observe the list on the board and share initial thoughts on differences in player interaction.
B. Concept Explanation & Discussion (15-20 minutes)
Teacher Activity: Introduces and clearly defines "Contact Sports" and "Non-Contact Sports" with examples relevant to Nigeria (e.g., football asking students to name various sports they know or play in their communities/schools (e.g., football, athletics, ludo, swimming, Ayo, wrestling). Teacher writes them on the board. Teacher then asks if there's any difference in how players interact in these sports.
Student Activity: Students actively brainstorm and name sports. They observe the list on the board and share initial thoughts on differences in player interaction.
B. Concept Explanation & Discussion (15-20 minutes)
Teacher Activity: Introduces and clearly defines "Contact Sports" and "Non-Contact Sports" with examples relevant to Nigeria (e.g., football vs. running race). Uses charts, pictures, or short video clips (if available) to illustrate examples of both categories, highlighting the presence or absence of physical contact. Facilitates a class discussion where students categorise the sports they brainstormed initially into contact or non-contact. The teacher clarifies any misconceptions. Explains the benefits of participating in sports (physical, mental, social), using relatable scenarios (e.g., playing football at school improves stamina, table tennis sharpens focus). Discusses key safety measures for sports, emphasising their importance for injury prevention.
Student Activity: Students listen attentively to definitions and explanations. They observe visual aids and participate in categorising sports, providing reasons for their classifications. Students contribute to the discussion on the benefits of sports, relating them to personal experiences or observations. They ask questions for clarification and take notes on definitions, examples, benefits, and safety measures.
C. Practical Demonstration and Skill Practice (15-20 minutes)
Teacher Activity: Moves the class to an appropriate outdoor space (e.g., playground, field, assembly ground). Leads a brief warm-up session (e.g., jogging, arm circles, leg stretches). Demonstrates one common skill for a contact sport (e.g., a simple 'shadow tackle' or defensive slide in basketball, emphasising footwork and body position). Demonstrates one common skill for a non-contact sport (e.g., proper running technique for high-knees, a basic badminton serve, or a broad jump technique). Provides clear instructions and breaks down skills into simple steps. Supervises students as they attempt to practice these skills, offering individual feedback and correction. Emphasises safety during practical drills.
Student Activity: Participate actively in the warm-up session. Observe the teacher's demonstrations carefully. Attempt to practice the demonstrated skills in pairs or small groups. Listen to feedback and try to correct their techniques. Maintain awareness of personal space and safety during practical drills.
D. Consolidation & Wrap-up (5-8 minutes)
Teacher Activity: Leads a brief cool-down session (e.g., static stretches).
Recaps the main points of the lesson: definition of contact/non-contact sports, examples, benefits, and safety measures. Asks quick questions to gauge understanding (formative assessment). Assigns homework if applicable.
Student Activity: Participate in the cool-down. Answer questions posed by the teacher, demonstrating their understanding. Ask any remaining questions. Note down homework assignments.
5. Guided Practice (With Solutions)
Question 1: Define contact sports and non-contact sports, and state one key difference between them.
Solution: Contact Sports: These are sports where direct physical interaction (bumping, tackling, pushing) between players is an essential and permitted part of the game.
Non-Contact Sports: These are sports where direct physical interaction between players is either not allowed, not necessary, or incidental and usually penalised.
Key Difference: The primary difference is the presence and legality of direct physical contact between participants. Contact sports involve and permit physical contact, while non-contact sports aim to avoid it.
Commentary: This question directly addresses Performance Objective 1 and tests the foundational understanding of the two categories.
Question 2: List two examples of contact sports and two examples of non-contact sports common in Nigeria.
Solution: Contact Sports: Football (Soccer), Basketball. (Other valid examples include Handball, Wrestling, Rugby). * Non-Contact Sports: Athletics (Running), Table Tennis. (Other valid examples include Badminton, Swimming, Chess, Cycling).
Commentary: This question aligns with Performance Objective 2 and ensures students can identify relevant examples within their local context.
Question 3: State three benefits of taking part in either contact or non-contact sports.
Solution:
1. Improved Physical Health: Helps build strength, endurance, and keeps the body fit, reducing