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Basic 5 · Physical Education · Rhythmic Skills

Changing Direction While Carrying an Object

In this topic you will change direction quickly while walking with an object through obstacles and keep your balance.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Change direction quickly and safely
  • Carry an object steadily while moving
  • Complete an obstacle course without dropping the object

What you already know

  • Balance stunts

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Motor Skill And Movement Patterns
Sub-strand
Rhythmic Skills
Indicator
B5.1.5.1.5 – Change direction quickly whiles walking with an object within obstacles but keep one’s balance

Introduction

Do you know the lime-and-spoon race played at school sports? You walk quickly, holding a spoon with a lime on it, and must not drop it. This race tests balance, control and quick changes of direction.

1. Changing Direction

To change direction quickly, lower your body by bending your knees, plant the outside foot firmly, push off in the new direction, and turn your head and shoulders first. Small, quick steps help you turn without losing balance.

2. Carrying an Object Steadily

  • Hold the spoon handle firmly but not too tightly.
  • Keep the spoon at chest level and your arm slightly bent.
  • Keep your eyes on the path ahead, glancing at the lime.
  • Walk smoothly with knees soft to absorb bumps.
  • Slow down slightly before turns.
Pupils walking quickly with limes on spoons around cones
Figure 1: Lime-and-spoon race Draw the lime-and-spoon course with its turns.Illustration: Sirbus

3. The Obstacle Course

  1. Walk forward 10 metres to the first cone.
  2. Zigzag through 5 cones placed 1.5 metres apart.
  3. Turn around the last cone and walk sideways for 5 metres.
  4. Step over a low rope.
  5. Walk back to the start.
  6. If the lime falls, stop, pick it up, and continue from that point.
Scoring
ResultPoints
completed without dropping the lime3
dropped once2
dropped twice or more1

4. Skills Developed

This activity develops agility (changing direction quickly), balance, coordination and concentration. Agility is important in football, netball and handball, where players must dodge opponents. Carrying an object steadily also helps in daily life, for example carrying a full bucket of water or a tray of food.

Safety: Walk, do not run. Keep a safe distance from others and use soft ground.

New words

agility
The ability to change direction quickly.
obstacle course
A route with objects to go around or over.
concentration
Focusing your attention.
pivot
To turn on one foot.
coordination
Making body parts work together.
dodge
To move quickly to avoid something.

Summary

  • Lower the body and plant the outside foot to change direction.
  • Hold the object steadily at chest level with soft knees.
  • Slow down slightly before turns.
  • The activity builds agility, balance and concentration.

Class activity: Lime-and-Spoon Relay

  1. Set up the obstacle course.
  2. Each member completes it with a lime and spoon and passes it on.
  3. Record points for each member.

You need: Limes, Tablespoons, Plastic-bottle cones, Sticks of chalk

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. The ability to change direction quickly is…

    • A. agility
    • B. strength
    • C. endurance
    • D. flexibility
    Show answer
    Answer: agilityNeeded to dodge.

  2. 2. Before turning with an object you should…

    • A. slow down slightly
    • B. run faster
    • C. close your eyes
    • D. jump
    Show answer
    Answer: slow down slightlyFor control.

  3. 3. If the lime falls you should…

    • A. pick it up and continue from that point
    • B. quit
    • C. start from the end
    • D. kick it
    Show answer
    Answer: pick it up and continue from that pointRace rules.

  4. 4. Bending the knees helps you change direction.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueIt lowers your centre of gravity.

  5. 5. You should run as fast as possible in the lime-and-spoon race.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseWalk briskly with control.

  6. 6. To move quickly to avoid something is to ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: dodgeUses agility.

  7. 7. Give three tips for carrying the lime steadily.

    Show answer
    Answer: Hold the spoon firmly, keep it at chest level, keep knees soft (or slow at turns).Any three.

  8. 8. Name two sports that need agility and explain why.

    Show answer
    Answer: Football and netball; players must change direction quickly to dodge opponents.Agility in games.

Homework

  1. Set up an obstacle course at home and practise carrying a cup of water around it.