Planes and axes
I can name and describe the three planes of movement and axes of rotation.
Planes and axes
I can name and describe the three planes of movement and axes of rotation.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A plane is an imaginary flat surface running through the body along which movement takes place.
- An axis is an imaginary line which the body can turn.
- There are sagittal (left and right), frontal (front and back) and transverse (top and bottom) planes.
- The frontal (front to back), transverse (left/right) and longitudinal (vertical) axis enable movement analysis.
Keywords
Transverse plane - divides the body into top and bottom
Frontal plane - divides the body into front and back
Saggital plane - divides the body into left and right
Axis - a line around which the body can turn
Common misconception
The transverse plane is linked with the transverse axis.
They share the same name, however the transverse plane is linked with the longitudinal axis. The transverse axis is linked with the sagittal plane. The frontal plane and axis however have the same name and are linked.
To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Planes and axes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Planes and axes, 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 Movement analysis and basic biomechanics unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Play dough, jelly babies or 3D model that can be manipulated and moved around. Sporting images for reference.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions











Exit quiz
6 Questions






transverse axis
frontal axis
longitudinal axis
transverse plane, longitudinal axis
sagittal plane, transverse axis
frontal plane, frontal axis