Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
Coaching and Officiating of Athletics
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Coaching and Officiating of Athletics
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Subject: Physical Education Health Elective
Class: SHS 3
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 20
Grade code: 3.3.5.LI.2
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 5
Content standard code: 3.3.5.CS.1
Indicator code: 3.3.5.LI.2
Theme: Academic and Career Pathways
Subtheme: Coaching and Officiating of Athletics
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Welcome, future coaches and sports officials! In Ghana, athletics, especially during Inter-House ("Inter-Ho") and Inter-Schools and Colleges ("Inter-Co") competitions, is a source of great pride and excitement. But for these events to be fair, safe, and successful, we need knowledgeable coaches to train athletes and competent officials to manage the competition. This lesson moves beyond just being an athlete; it empowers you to become a leader on the field. You will learn the fundamental concepts and principles of coaching and officiating jump events (Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump).
This lesson focuses on two key roles: the Coach (who improves performance) and the Official (who ensures fair play). We will explore the core concepts for each role in the context of jump events. A. Core Concepts of Coaching Jump Events
A coach's primary goal is to improve an athlete's technique, fitness, and mental approach to maximize their performance. The Four Phases of a Jump: Every jump can be broken down into four key phases. A coach must understand what to look for in each phase. Let's use the Long Jump as our main example: Phase 1: The Approach Run: What it is: The controlled sprint towards the take-off board. Coach's Focus: Building up speed consistently, maintaining an upright posture, and having a consistent stride pattern so the take-off foot hits the board accurately. Example Coaching Cue: "Kofi, run tall and accelerate smoothly, like a plane taking off, not like a car starting from zero!" Phase 2: The Take-off: What it is: The explosive moment the athlete transitions from a horizontal run to a vertical and horizontal jump. This happens in the last one or two strides. Coach's Focus: The take-off foot should land flat and fast on the board. The body's centre of mass should be slightly lowered in the penultimate (second to last) stride and then driven upwards. A powerful arm and free-leg drive is crucial. Example Coaching Cue: "Ama, as you hit the board, punch your free knee up to the sky and drive your arms high!" Phase 3: The Flight: What it is: The time the athlete is in the air. The goal is to maximize distance and prepare for a good landing. Techniques: Common flight techniques are the Sail, the Hang, and the Hitch-kick. Coach's Focus: Preventing forward rotation, keeping the legs up and extended. Example Coaching Cue: "Yaw, in the air, keep your chin and chest up. Try to 'hang' in the air before bringing your knees to your chest for landing." Phase 4: The Landing: What it is: The moment the athlete lands in the sandpit. Coach's Focus: The athlete must land with both feet as far forward as possible and then allow their body to fall forward or sideways into the pit. Falling backward results in the measurement being taken from the point closest to the board, reducing the jump's distance. Example Coaching Cue: "Adwoa, upon landing, sweep your arms forward and down to pull your body past your feet. Do not sit back!" Principles of Giving Feedback (The "Sandwich" Method): Effective coaching requires giving feedback that motivates, not discourages. Step 1 (The Top Slice of Bread): Start with something positive and specific. *Example:* "Your speed on the runway was excellent." Step 2 (The Filling): Provide the specific, constructive correction. *Example:* "Next time, try to focus on driving your knee higher at take-off to get more height." Step 3 (The Bottom Slice of Bread): End with encouragement or another positive comment. *Example:* "Keep up that great effort; we'll get it right!" B. Core Concepts of Officiating Jump Events
An official's job is to apply the rules fairly and consistently for all athletes. They are the guardians of the competition's integrity. Key Officials and Their Roles: Chief Judge: In charge of the event, makes the final decisions, and ensures all rules are followed. Recording Judge: Records all attempts (valid distances/heights, fouls, passes) on the official scoresheet. Flag Judge (at the board/bar): Watches for fouls and indicates the outcome with a flag. Pit/Landing Area Officials: Prepare the pit, mark the landing, and assist with measurement. Rules and Fouls (Failures): Understanding fouls is the most critical part of officiating. Long Jump / Triple Jump Fouls: Take-off Foul: Any part of the athlete's take-off foot touches the ground beyond the take-off line (the edge of the board nearest the pit). Somersaulting: The athlete performs a somersault during the flight or landing. Improper Exit: After landing, the athlete's first step is back towards the take-off board through the landing area. They must always walk out from the front or side of the pit. Time Violation: The athlete takes longer than the allowed time (usually one minute) to begin their attempt. High Jump Failures: Dislodging the Bar: The crossbar does not remain on the supports after the athlete has jumped. Two-Foot Take-off: The athlete takes off from two feet simultaneously. Touching Beyond the Uprights: The athlete touches the ground or landing area beyond the vertical plane of the uprights without first clearing the bar. Three Consecutive Failures: An athlete is eliminated after failing to clear a height in three consecutive attempts (this can be across different heights). Officiating Procedures and Signals: Signalling a Jump: White Flag Raised: The attempt is VALID/LEGAL. Red Flag Raised: The attempt is a FOUL/FAILURE. The judge waits until the entire attempt is completed before raising the flag. Measuring a Long Jump/Triple Jump: An official places a marker/spike at the indentation in the sand closest to the take-off line made by any part of the athlete's body. The "zero" end of the tape measure is given to the official at the marker in the pit. The other official pulls the tape measure taut and perpendicular (at a 90° angle) to the take-off line. The distance is read at the edge of the take-off line nearest the pit. Measurements are recorded in metres and centimetres (e.g., 5.72m). Always record to the nearest centimetre *below* the actual measurement (do not round up). Managing a High Jump Competition: The Chief Judge announces the starting height and the subsequent progressions (e.g., "The bar will start at 1.50m, then go to 1.55m, 1.60m..."). Athletes can choose to jump at a height or "pass" to the next height. An athlete gets up to three attempts at any single height. If they miss all three, they are eliminated. After all athletes have cleared, failed, or passed a height, the bar is raised to the next increment.
Guided Practice (With Solutions)