Relay Race: Basic Skills Involved in Relay Races (Baton Grip, Take-Off, Run-Up, Baton Exchange and Finish Line) Primary 4 (Basic 4) Third Term Week 3 Physical and Health Education

RELAY RACE: BASIC SKILLS INVOLVED IN RELAY RACES (BATON GRIP, TAKE OFF, RUN UP, BATON EXCHANGE AND FINISH LINE) 

PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION (PHE)

PRIMARY 4 – THIRD TERM – WEEK 3

THEME – GAMES AND SPORTS (ATHLETICS) 

PREVIOUS LESSON – Relay Race: Meaning and Types of Relay Races, Differences Between 4 × 100 m, 4 × 400 m and Medley Relay Races Primary 4 (Basic 4) Third Term Week 2 Physical and Health Education

TOPIC – BASIC RELAY RACE SKILLS 

LEARNING AREA

1. Introduction

2. Basic Skills Involved in Relay Races (Baton Grip, Take-Off, Run-Up, Baton Exchange and Finish Line)

3. Practical Demonstration of Basic Skills Involved in Relay Races

4. Weekly Assessment: Test Questions and Answers/Assignment

5. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Define the basic skills involved in relay races.

2. Explain the correct baton grip.

3. Demonstrate the correct take-off technique.

4. Explain the run-up in relay races.

5. Demonstrate the correct baton exchange and finishing technique.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Pupils have previously learned the meaning and types of relay races and the differences between the 4 × 100 m Relay, 4 × 400 m Relay, and Medley Relay. They also learned that relay races involve teamwork and the passing of a baton from one runner to another.

This lesson builds on that knowledge by teaching pupils the basic skills required to perform well in a relay race, including the correct baton grip, take-off, run-up, baton exchange, and finishing technique.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Relay batons

2. Whistle

3. Stopwatch

4. Running track or open field

5. Cones or markers

6. Charts showing baton exchange techniques

7. Pictures or videos of relay races

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

Winning a relay race depends not only on running fast but also on holding the baton correctly, starting at the right time, running smoothly, exchanging the baton properly, and finishing strongly. If the baton is dropped or passed incorrectly, the team may lose the race.

In this lesson, pupils will learn the basic skills involved in relay races and practise them correctly.

LESSON 1 – MEANING OF BASIC SKILLS INVOLVED IN RELAY RACE

The basic skills involved in relay races are the important techniques that runners must learn and practise to pass and receive the baton correctly, run smoothly, and complete the relay race successfully as a team.

The basic relay race skills include:

1. Baton Grip

2. Take-off

3. Run-up

4. Baton Exchange (Visual and Non Visual Baton Exchange)

5. Finish Line Technique

BASIC SKILLS INVOLVED IN RELAY RACES

1. Baton Grip – Baton grip is the correct way of holding the baton during a relay race.

2. Take-Off – Take-off is the act of starting to run quickly after receiving the signal or when your teammate approaches with the baton.

3. Run-Up – Run-up is the short distance the outgoing runner covers before receiving the baton.

4. Baton Exchange – Baton exchange is the passing of the baton from one runner to another within the exchange zone.

There are two types of baton exchange:

a. Visual Baton Exchange – The visual baton exchange is a method of passing the baton in which the receiving runner looks back at the incoming runner before taking the baton.

Note: This method is commonly used in the 4 × 400 m Relay because the runners have more time to exchange the baton.

b. Non-Visual Baton Exchange – The non-visual baton exchange is a method of passing the baton in which the receiving runner does not look back but stretches one hand backwards to receive the baton.

Note: This method is commonly used in the 4 × 100 m Relay because it allows a faster baton exchange.

5. Finish Line Technique – Finish line technique is the correct way of completing the relay race.

LESSON 2 AND LESSON 3 (FIELD EXERCISE) 

PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION OF BASIC RELAY RACE SKILLS

The teacher demonstrates each relay skill before allowing pupils to practise.

1. Baton Grip

• Hold the baton firmly with one hand.

• Hold it near one end.

• Swing the arm naturally while running.

2. Take-Off

• Stand in the correct starting position.

• Watch or listen for the signal.

• Push off quickly with both feet.

• Start running without hesitation.

3. Run-Up

• Begin running before the incoming runner reaches you.

• Increase speed gradually.

• Stay in your lane.

• Prepare to receive the baton while running.

4. Baton Exchange

A. Visual Baton Exchange

• The receiving runner looks back.

• Extend the receiving hand.

• Receive the baton firmly.

• Continue running immediately.

B. Non-Visual Baton Exchange

• The receiving runner stretches one hand backwards without looking.

• The incoming runner places the baton into the receiving hand.

• Hold the baton firmly and continue running.

5. Finish Line Technique

• Run straight through the finish line.

• Keep holding the baton firmly.

• Do not slow down before crossing the finish line.

• Continue running a few steps after crossing the line.

Group Practical Activities

The teacher divides pupils into small groups and asks each group to:

1. Practise holding the baton correctly.

2. Demonstrate the correct take-off.

3. Practise the run-up before receiving the baton.

4. Perform both the visual and non-visual baton exchange.

5. Run a short relay race using the correct relay skills.

6. Demonstrate the correct finish line technique.

7. Observe all safety rules and encourage teamwork throughout the activity.

The teacher supervises, corrects mistakes, and ensures pupils perform each relay skill correctly and safely.

IMPORTANCE OF THESE SKILLS

1. They improve teamwork.

2. They help prevent dropping the baton.

3. They increase the team’s chances of winning.

4. They improve speed and coordination.

5. They help runners complete the race safely and successfully.

WEEKLY ASSESSMENT: TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/ASSIGNMENT 

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. The correct way of holding the baton is called ______.

A. baton throw

B. baton jump

C. baton grip

D. baton catch

2. Take-off means ______.

A. stopping at the finish line

B. starting to run quickly after the signal or receiving the baton

C. dropping the baton

D. walking during the race

3. Run-up is the ______.

A. distance covered before receiving the baton

B. finish line

C. place where spectators sit

D. distance covered before receiving the baton

4. In which baton exchange does the receiving runner look back?

A. Blind exchange

B. Non-visual exchange

C. Visual exchange

D. Fast exchange

5. Which relay race commonly uses the non-visual baton exchange?

A. 4 × 100 m Relay

B. 4 × 400 m Relay

C. Medley Relay only

D. Marathon Relay

B. Fill in the Blanks

6. The passing of the baton from one runner to another is called ______.

7. The correct way of holding the baton is called ______.

8. The receiving runner looks back during the ______ baton exchange.

9. The receiving runner does not look back during the ______ baton exchange.

10. A runner should not slow down before crossing the ______ line.

C. True or False

11. Baton grip is the correct way of holding the baton. ______

12. The baton should be passed outside the exchange zone. ______

13. The non-visual baton exchange is commonly used in the 4 × 100 m Relay. ______

14. The non-visual baton exchange is where the race ends. ______

15. Teamwork is important in relay races. ______

D. Match Column A with Column B

Column A – Column B

16. Baton Grip – A. Start running quickly

17. Take-Off – B. End of the race

18. Run-Up – C. Short distance before receiving the baton

19. Visual Baton Exchange – D. Receiving runner looks back

20. Finish Line – E. Correct way of holding the baton

ANSWER KEYS

1. C – Baton grip

2. B – Starting to run quickly after the signal or receiving the baton

3. D – Distance covered before receiving the baton

4. C – Visual exchange

5. A – 4 × 100 m Relay

6. Baton exchange

7. Baton grip

8. Visual

9. Non-visual

10. Finish

11. True

12. False

13. True

14. False

15. True

16. E – Baton Grip → Correct way of holding the baton

17. A – Take-Off → Start running quickly

18. C – Run-Up → Short distance before receiving the baton

19. D – Visual Baton Exchange → Receiving runner looks back

20. B – Finish Line → End of the race

SUMMARY

In this lesson, pupils learned the basic skills involved in relay races. They learned that these skills help runners pass and receive the baton correctly, run smoothly, and complete the race successfully.

The pupils learned the following relay race skills:

• Baton Grip – holding the baton correctly.

• Take-Off – starting to run quickly after the signal or when receiving the baton.

• Run-Up – running before receiving the baton.

• Baton Exchange – passing the baton from one runner to another. They also learned the two types of baton exchange:

a. Visual Baton Exchange, where the receiving runner looks back.

b. Non-Visual Baton Exchange, where the receiving runner does not look back.

• Finish Line Technique – running through the finish line without slowing down before crossing it.

Finally, pupils understood that good relay skills, teamwork, communication, and correct baton passing help a relay team perform well and complete the race safely and successfully.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction – The teacher displays a relay baton and asks pupils to recall what they learned about relay races and baton passing.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils identify the baton and explain what a relay race is.

Step 2: Baton Grip – The teacher explains and demonstrates the correct way to hold the baton.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils practise holding the baton correctly.

Step 3: Take-Off – The teacher explains and demonstrates the correct take-off after the starting signal or after receiving the baton.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils practise taking off quickly from the starting position.

Step 4: Run-Up – The teacher explains and demonstrates how the outgoing runner begins to run before receiving the baton.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils practise the run-up while staying in their lanes.

Step 5: Baton Exchange – The teacher explains and demonstrates the two types of baton exchange:

• Visual Baton Exchange

• Non-Visual Baton Exchange

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils practise both visual and non-visual baton exchanges in pairs.

Step 6: Finish Line Technique – The teacher demonstrates the correct way to run through the finish line without slowing down.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils practise crossing the finish line correctly while holding the baton.

Step 7: Practical Relay Activity – The teacher divides the pupils into groups to perform a short relay race using all the relay skills learned.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils demonstrate baton grip, take-off, run-up, baton exchange, and finish line techniques during the relay race.

Step 8: Lesson Summary – The teacher reviews the basic relay skills and asks pupils questions on each skill.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils summarize the lesson by mentioning and explaining the relay skills.

Step 9: Evaluation – The teacher asks oral and written questions and observes pupils as they demonstrate the relay skills.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the questions and demonstrate the correct relay race skills.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

NEXT LESSON

Volleyball: Meaning of Volleyball and Basic Skills Involved in Volleyball Primary 4 (Basic 4) Third Term Week 4 Physical and Health Education

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. What are the basic skills involved in relay races?

2. What is baton grip?

3. Explain the meaning of take-off in a relay race.

4. What is run-up?

5. What is baton exchange?

6. Mention the two types of baton exchange.

7. State one difference between the visual baton exchange and the non-visual baton exchange.

8. Explain the correct finish line technique in a relay race.

9. Why is the baton grip important in a relay race?

10. Demonstrate the correct baton grip, take-off, run-up, baton exchange, and finish line technique during a relay race.