Rhythm run over sticks
Ready when: Run, stop and change direction (b1) done.
What you are learning
Running over low sticks with the same number of steps between each and the same leg going over first. That steady rhythm is the base of hurdling, learnt on the ground before any hurdle.
Words on this card Relay, Lead leg
- Relay
- A team race where each runner runs a part and passes on a baton.
- Lead leg
- In hurdling, the leg that goes over first, and the one that follows.
Set up
5 sticks, canes or lines on the ground at equal gaps of 3 to 4 child steps; a turning cone 5 m past the last one.
Weather: dry ground
Show it first for the one teaching
- Run toward the first stick on the front of your feet.
- Run over it without jumping: just a slightly longer step.
- Count the steps between sticks aloud: "1, 2, 3, over".
- Lead over every stick with the same leg.
Your part while they practise
Count the steps between sticks aloud as the child runs.
Step by step
- Run over the 5 sticks on the front of the feet.
- Keep the same number of steps between each stick.
- Lead with the same leg over each stick.
- Run round the cone and walk back.
How much: 6 runs 8 min a session 2 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Rhythm relay
Two lanes of sticks side by side; a run only scores when the steps between all the sticks are the same.
Who plays: two teams of 1 or more, side by side; you count the steps.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- The first runner in each team runs over the sticks, round the cone, and back beside the sticks
- They touch the next runner's hand, who goes next
- 6 runs each
- Fair play
- A younger runner's sticks are a little closer together.
- Points
- 1 point for each run with the same step count between every stick; 1 point to the team that finishes first.
- Fouls
- No point for that run
- A different number of steps between sticks
- Jumping high over a stick
- Kicking a stick out of place
- Winning
- The team with more points.
- 2 clean runs for 1 star
- 4 clean runs for 2 stars
- 6 clean runs for 3 stars
Easier or harder
Flat lines instead of sticks.
Move the sticks a little apart, keeping the gaps equal.
What you will see, and what to say
- the child jumps high over each stick
Run over it, keep running
Only a slightly longer step over the stick. - the steps come out uneven
Count out loud with me
"1, 2, 3, over", the same each time.
Self-check
2 runs in a row with the same step count between every stick.
Stop and get a coach when
The child keeps tripping.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains rhythm, the same lead leg, the base of hurdling.
awiseathlete.com/sports/athletics/athletics-b6