Agility, balance, co-ordination, flexibility and reaction time
I can define agility, flexibility, balance, coordination and reaction time, and consider the appropriate fitness test for each.
Agility, balance, co-ordination, flexibility and reaction time
I can define agility, flexibility, balance, coordination and reaction time, and consider the appropriate fitness test for each.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Balance is the ability to maintain the body's centre of mass over its base of support, assessed by the stork stand test.
- Reaction time is the time taken to respond to a stimulus, measured by the ruler drop test.
- Agility is being able to change direction at speed and is measured by the Illinois agility test.
- Coordination is the ability to use different body parts together, tested with the alternate hand wall toss.
- Flexibility is the range of motion available at a joint and is measured by the sit and reach test.
Keywords
Agility - the ability to move and change direction quickly whilst maintaining control
Flexibility - the range of movements possible at a joint
Coordination - the ability to use different parts of the body (two or more) together smoothly and efficiently
Balance - the maintenance of the centre of mass over the base of support and reference can be made to whilst static (still) or dynamic (whilst moving)
Reaction time - the time taken to initiate a response to a stimulus, i.e. the time from the initiation of the stimulus
Common misconception
Thinking that flexibility is only useful for gymnasts or dancers.
Discuss wider examples such as hurdlers, footballers and swimmers that will also benefit from high levels of flexibility.
To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Agility, balance, co-ordination, flexibility and reaction time, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Agility, balance, co-ordination, flexibility and reaction time, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 physical education lessons from the Physical training: health and fitness unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
Starter quiz
6 Questions
sit-up bleep test
vertical jump test
multistage fitness test
handgrip dynamometer test
one repetition maximum squat
the ability to use different parts of the body together
the range of movements possible at a joint
to move and change direction quickly whilst maintaining control
the maintenance of the centre of mass over the base
the time taken to initiate a response to a stimulus
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the range of movements possible at a joint
the ability to use different parts of the body together
product of strength and speed
the ability to move and change direction quickly
the maintenance of the centre of mass over the base
the time taken to initiate a response to a stimulus
vertical jump test
Illinois agility test
sit and reach test
stork stand test
wall throw test
ruler drop test