Athletics – Short Distance Race: Meaning, Examples and Steps -1 for Primary 2

Hello, students! Welcome back to Basic 2 Basic Science And Technology. In our previous lesson, we learned about Dangers in Movement. Today, we’re going to learn about Athletics – Short Distance Race.

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Explain what a short distance race is.
• Describe the steps involved in a short distance race.
• Understand the importance of practice in athletics.

Athletics – Short Distance Race

What is a Short Distance Race?

A short distance race, also known as a sprint, is a race where athletes run over a short distance at their maximum speed. Common short distance races include the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, and 400-meter dash.

What is a Race?

A race is a competition where participants try to reach the finish line first. The fastest person wins.

Importance of Practice

Practice helps sprinters improve speed, technique, and endurance. Regular training ensures athletes develop the strength and skills necessary to excel in short races.

Steps of a Short Distance Race

In a short distance race, runners follow three key steps:

1. Ready: The runners position themselves at the starting line with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and bodies leaning forward.
2. Set: The runners lower their bodies, placing hands on the ground, keeping knees bent, and focusing on the finish line.
3. Go: At the starter’s signal, runners push off the starting line and sprint at full speed to the finish.

Example of a Short Distance Race

1. 100-meter dash: This is a straight-line sprint over 100 meters. Athletes reach top speed quickly and finish in about 10 seconds for top runners.
2. 200-meter dash: A half-lap sprint around the track. Speed and endurance are both needed.
3. 400-meter dash: A full lap around the track, requiring both speed and stamina to maintain a fast pace throughout.

A short distance race is a competition where people run a short distance as fast as they can. Some of the most common short distance races include the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, and the 400-meter dash.

What is a Race?

A race is a competition where people try to reach a finish line first. The person who crosses the finish line first is the winner. Races can be run on a track, on the road, or even in the water.

Importance of Practice

Practice is very important for athletes. It helps them to improve their speed, strength, and endurance. It also helps them to learn the proper techniques for running.

Steps of a Short Distance Race

There are three main steps in a short distance race:

1. Ready: The runners stand at the starting line, with their feet shoulder-width apart. They bend their knees slightly and lean forward.
2. Set: The runners lower their bodies further, placing their hands on the ground in front of them. They keep their knees bent and their eyes focused on the finish line.
3. Go: The starter gives the signal to start the race. The runners push off from the starting line and run as fast as they can to the finish line.

Evaluation Questions

Now that you’ve learned about short distance races, let’s see if you can answer these questions:

1. What is a short distance race?
2. What are the three steps of a short distance race?
3. Why is practice important before a race?
4. What are some examples of short distance races?
5. What are some tips for running a short distance race?

Conclusion

Today, we learned about short distance races. We learned what a race is, why practice is important, and the three steps of a short distance race. Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep practicing and you will improve your running skills. Don’t forget to check the comments section if you have any questions, and use the navigation to move to the next lesson. See you in the next lesson!