Relay Races Lesson Plan

Lesson Focus: Track and Field Relay Races

Instructor:
Equipment Needed: baton, pool noodles, tape
Grade Level: 6​th​-12​th
State Standards: Grades 6-8: 1.1.d., 4.1.e., 5.1.g., 6.1.b.
Grades 9-12: 2.1.b., 4.1.e., 5.1.a.,5.1.d., 6.1.a.

I. INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY (WARM UP):

A. OBJECTIVES:
1. To have students warm up their legs running while also getting practice with passing a pool noodle

B. FORMATION:
Instruct the students to line up along the goal line by birth date. Divide the students into
separate groups of 4. Instruct each group to line up on the sideline of the football field where to goal
line meets the side line.
The groups will run in a line towards each other and once each group hits the hash marks one
their side of the field, each person will forward lunge to the 5-yard line. Once the student reaches the
5-yard line, the will run back to the sideline. They will then backwards lunge to the goal line. They will
repeat this twice, then on the 3​rd​ and 4​th​ times through they will lunge to the right and lunge to the left.
Each student will have run around the field 4 times.
If there are more than two groups, have the other groups start at the 15-yard line.

Have each group line up single file on one knee behind each other on the hash marks. There
needs to be about two feet between each student. The students need to be facing towards mid field.

C. EXPLANATION OF ACTIVITY:
1. The first person in each group will be given a pool noddle. On the command “go” the first person
will hand the noodle to the person in front of them underhand in a baton pass style. To single to
their teammate in from of them, whenever a student is ready to pass the baton to the person in
 front up them, they need to yell “up”. This will signal to the next student that they need to put
their hand up in order to receive the noodle.
2. Once the noddle has left their hand, they will get up, run to the front of the line, and take a knee.
Each member of the group will pass the noodle forward and go to the back of the line. The team
that makes it to the 25-yard line wins. Once both groups make it to the 25-yard line, have them
reline up and go back to the goal line.
3. If the groups are odd numbers, remind the students that that is okay as each team is going the
same distance so the number of people on each team is not important.

D. SAFETY:
1. Tell the students it is okay to pass each other while running around the field for the first warm up.
2. Students must call out up in order for the person to pass the noodle ahead. Make sure that no
student tries to purposely hit their teammates with the noodle while passing it.

E. TRANSITION:
After completing the warm up activity, have students stay in their groups and tell group one to go to lane 3
and Group 2 to go to lane 5 on the track.

II. LESSON FOCUS – COORDINATION, POWER & ENDURANCE SKILLS USING CHINESE JUMP
ROPES:

A. OBJECTIVES:
1. Each student learns how to pass and receive a baton in each hand
2. understand how the lane positioning of each runner needs to be for each runner
3. Correctly be able to execute a baton handoff within the exchange zone
4. Increase cardiovascular endurance & muscular endurance
5. Increase coordination & rhythm

B. FORMATION:
Each group will line up single file on in their lane of the track separated by about 3 feet. Explain the
lane positions that each person on the relay team needs to take. The first person
needs to be in the right side of the lane, the second in the left, third person in the
right and fourth person in the left. If there are more than 4 people in each group
have them in the group and continue the pattern.

C. EXPLANTATION OF ACTIVITY:
Begin with stationary baton handoffs. Each person will pump their arms in a running motion while staying
stationary. Each person will pass the baton on the person in front of them. Once it gets to the
person in front, everyone will turn around in place and bring the baton back. After each group
has pass the baton down and back, repeat with the students walking, and then jogging as a
group of 4.
Teaching points:
● Each person needs to yell “up” to let the person in front of them know to
put their hand out to receive the baton.
● The person receiving the baton need to keep the first four fingers together
and make a wide “C” shape with their hand.
● The arm needs to be fully extended with their palm facing the person
behind them.
 ● The passer must place the baton in the area between the pointer finger
and the thumb.
Have each group split into sets of 2. Each set needs to be in their own land. Bring each group to the exchange
zone of the track. Have the receiver line up on the triangle just outside of the exchange zone.
Have the passer line up at the end of the previous exchange zone. Have each pair practice
passing a baton within the exchange zone​.

Teaching points
● Give each receiver a piece of tape. Explain to them how to mark
off where they need to start by counting off 22-24 paces back from
the acceleration zone. Once the passer hits that piece of tape, the
receiver can then take off running

D. SAFETY:
1. If the runner drops the baton they are must pick it up and keep going. They just need to be mindful
of the other runners in the other lanes.
2. Do not let the students hit each other with the batons.
3. Each runner must stay in their lane, they cannot switch or go into another lane.

E. TRANSITION:
Have the students meet back at the goal line. Each person who finished with the baton needs to return it to
the teacher.

III. CLOSURE:

A. OBJECTIVIES:
1. Provide adequate time to properly cool-down the body
2. Check for understanding of terminology
3. Check for understanding levels

B. FORMATION:
Have students form a circle around the teacher for closing questions.

C. EXPLANATION OF ACTIVITY:
1. Lead students in static questions.
2. Starting with the shortest person in the class, each student will go around stating one thing they
learned/a teaching point from today’s lesson
3. Students cannot repeat any answers. Go around the circle twice. If students start struggling for
answers allow them to use other information from previous track lessons.
D. SAFETY:
1. Each student needs to stretch in order to properly take care of their body