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

RELAY RACE: MEANING AND TYPES OF RELAY RACES, DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE 4 x 100 m, 4 x 400 m AND MEDLEY RELAY RACES 

PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION (PHE)

PRIMARY 4 – THIRD TERM – WEEK 2

THEME – GAMES AND SPORTS (ATHLETICS) 

PREVIOUS LESSON – Safety: Meaning of Safety and Safety Precautions, Meaning and Causes of Accident in Workshop and Roads, Meaning and Examples of Safety Devices Primary 6 (Basic 6) Second Term Week 11 Basic Science and Technology

TOPIC – RELAY RACES 

LEARNING AREA

1. Introduction

2. Meaning and Types of Relay Races

3. Differences Between 4 × 100m, 4 × 400m and Medley Relay Races

4. Practical Demonstration of Relay Races

5. Weekly Assessment: Test Questions and Answers/Assignment

6. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

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

1. Define relay race.

2. Mention the types of relay races.

3. Differentiate between the 4 × 100 m, 4 × 400 m, and Medley Relay races.

4. Explain the importance of teamwork in relay races.

5. Demonstrate the correct way of passing and receiving the baton.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Pupils have previously learned about sprint races and middle-distance races, including the correct starting position, running techniques, pacing, and finishing.

This lesson builds on that knowledge by introducing relay races, where pupils will apply their running skills while learning the importance of teamwork, cooperation, and the correct passing and receiving of the baton to complete the race successfully.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Relay batons

2. Whistle

3. Stopwatch

4. Cones or markers

6. Running track or open field

7. Chart showing relay race events

8. 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

Have you ever seen four runners working together in a race while passing a small stick from one person to another? That small stick is called a baton, and the race is called a relay race.

Unlike individual races, relay races require teamwork, cooperation, speed, and correct baton passing. In this lesson, pupils will learn the meaning of relay races, the types of relay races, and the differences between the 4 × 100 m, 4 × 400 m, and Medley Relay races.

LESSON 1 – MEANING OF RELAY RACE

A relay race is a team race in which four runners take turns to run a part of the race while passing a baton from one runner to the next until the race is completed.

The team that finishes first without breaking the rules wins the race.

TYPES OF RELAY RACES

The common types of relay races are:

1. 4 × 100 Metres Relay

• Four runners make up a team.

• Each runner runs 100 metres.

• The baton is passed from one runner to the next in the exchange zone.

• It is a short-distance sprint relay.

2. 4 × 400 Metres Relay

• Four runners make up a team.

• Each runner runs 400 metres (one lap of a standard track).

• The baton is passed after each runner completes one lap.

• It requires speed and endurance.

3. Medley Relay

• Four runners make up a team.

• Each runner runs a different distance.

• An example is 100 metres, 200 metres, 300 metres, and 400 metres.

• It combines different running distances in one relay race.

LESSON 2 – DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 4 × 100 m, 4 × 400 m AND MEDLEY RELAY RACES

(1)

• 4 × 100 m Relay – Each runner runs 100 metres.

• 4 × 400 m Relay – Each runner runs 400 metres.

• Medley Relay – Each runner runs a different distance.

(2)

• 4 × 100 m Relay – It is a sprint race.

• 4 × 400 m Relay – It combines speed and endurance.

• Medley Relay – It combines different race distances.

(3)

• 4 × 100 m Relay – Baton is passed quickly within the exchange zone.

• 4 × 400 m Relay – Baton is passed after each lap.

• Medley Relay – Baton is passed after each assigned distance.

(4)

• 4 × 100 m Relay – The race is completed quickly.

• 4 × 400 m Relay – The race takes a longer time.

• Medley Relay – The race has different running stages.

IMPORTANCE OF RELAY RACES

1. It promotes teamwork and cooperation.

2. Itdevelops speed and endurance.

3. It improves baton-passing skills.

4. It incourages discipline and sportsmanship.

5. It builds confidence and communication among team members.

LESSON 3 – FIELD EXERCISE

PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION OF RELAY RACES

The teacher demonstrates each activity before allowing pupils to practise.

1. Holding the Baton

• Hold the baton firmly with one hand.

• Do not squeeze it too tightly.

• Keep the baton ready for passing.

2. Starting the Race

• Stand in the correct starting position.

• Listen carefully for the starting signal.

• Start running immediately after the signal.

3. Running with the Baton

• Hold the baton securely while running.

• Run at a steady speed.

• Keep your eyes focused ahead.

4. Passing the Baton

• Pass the baton only within the exchange zone.

• Extend the arm to hand over the baton smoothly.

• Do not throw the baton.

5. Receiving the Baton

• Stretch the receiving hand backwards.

• Hold the baton firmly once it is received.

• Continue running without stopping.

6. Finishing the Race

• Run through the finish line with the baton.

• Do not slow down before crossing the finish 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 starting position.

3. Practise running while carrying the baton.

4. Practise passing and receiving the baton in pairs.

5. Perform a short relay race using proper baton exchange.

6. Encourage teamwork and communication during the race.

7. Observe all safety rules throughout the activity.

The teacher supervises the pupils, corrects mistakes, encourages fair play, and ensures that all baton exchanges are done safely and correctly.

WEEKLY ASSESSMENT: TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/ASSIGNMENT

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. A relay race is a race in which ______.

A. one runner completes the race alone

B. four runners work together and pass a baton

C. two runners compete together

D. only children participate

2. How many runners make up a relay team?

A. Two

B. Three

C. Four

D. Five

3. In a 4 × 100 m relay, each runner runs ______.

A. 50 metres

B. 100 metres

C. 200 metres

D. 400 metres

4. Which relay race requires each runner to complete one lap of the track?

A. 4 × 100 m Relay

B. Medley Relay

C. 4 × 400 m Relay

D. Shuttle Relay

5. In a Medley Relay, each runner runs ______.

A. the same distance

B. a different distance

C. only 100 metres

D. only 400 metres

B. Fill in the Blanks

6. The object passed from one runner to another is called a ______.

7. A relay team has ______ runners.

8. In a 4 × 100 m relay, each runner runs ______ metres.

9. The ______ Relay combines different running distances.

10. Teamwork is very important in a ______ race.

C. True or False

11. Relay races are team events. ______

12. The baton is passed from one runner to another. ______

13. In a Medley relay, each runner runs 400 metres. ______

14. In a Medley Relay, all runners cover the same distance. ______

15. Good teamwork helps a relay team perform well. ______

D. Match Column A with Column B

Column A – Column B

16. Baton – A. Four runners

17. Relay team – B. Passed from one runner to another

18. 4 × 100 m Relay – C. Each runner runs 100 metres

19. 4 × 400 m Relay – D. Different running distances

20. Medley Relay – E. Each runner runs 400 metres

ANSWER KEYS

1. B – Four runners work together and pass a baton

2. C – Four

3. B – 100 metres

4. C – 4 × 400 m Relay

5. B – A different distance

6. Baton

7. Four

8. 100

9. Medley

10. Relay

11. True

12. True

13. False

14. False

15. True

16. B – Baton → Passed from one runner to another

17. A – Relay team → Four runners

18. C – 4 × 100 m Relay → Each runner runs 100 metres

19. E – 4 × 400 m Relay → Each runner runs 400 metres

20. D – Medley Relay → Different running distances

SUMMARY

In this lesson, pupils learned that a relay race is a team race in which four runners take turns to run while passing a baton from one runner to another until the race is completed.

They also learned the three common types of relay races, namely:

• 4 × 100 metres Relay

• 4 × 400 metres Relay

• Medley Relay

Pupils learned the differences between these relay races:

• In the 4 × 100 m Relay, each runner runs 100 metres.

• In the 4 × 400 m Relay, each runner runs 400 metres (one lap of the track).

• In the Medley Relay, each runner runs a different distance.

Finally, pupils understood that teamwork, cooperation, communication, speed, endurance, and correct baton passing are important for success in relay races.

PRESENTATION

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

Step 1: Introduction – The teacher displays a relay baton or a picture/video of a relay race and asks pupils what they observe.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils observe the baton or picture and describe what they see.

Step 2: Meaning of Relay Race – The teacher explains the meaning of a relay race and the purpose of the baton.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain the meaning of a relay race in their own words.

Step 3: Types of Relay Races – The teacher explains the three common types of relay races:

• 4 × 100 m Relay

• 4 × 400 m Relay

• Medley Relay

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils identify and mention the different types of relay races.

Step 4: Differences Between the Relay Races – The teacher explains the differences between the 4 × 100 m, 4 × 400 m, and Medley Relay races.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain the differences between the three relay races.

Step 5: Importance of Teamwork in Relay Races – The teacher discusses the importance of teamwork, cooperation, communication, and proper baton passing.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils discuss why teamwork is important in relay races.

Step 6: Baton Passing Demonstration – The teacher demonstrates the correct way to hold, pass, and receive the baton.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils practise holding, passing, and receiving the baton correctly in pairs or groups.

Step 7: Lesson Summary – The teacher reviews the meaning, types, and differences between relay races.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils summarize the lesson by answering oral questions.

Step 8: Evaluation – The teacher asks oral and written questions, assesses pupils’ responses, and provides corrections where necessary.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the questions and participate actively in the lesson evaluation.

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

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

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. What is a relay race?

2. What is the baton used for in a relay race?

3. Mention the three common types of relay races.

4. State two differences between the 4 × 100 m Relay and the 4 × 400 m Relay.

5. What is a Medley Relay?

6. How many runners make up a relay team?

7. Why is teamwork important in relay races?

8. Demonstrate the correct way to hold, pass, and receive the baton