1
Athletics
Copyright
© School Curriculum and Standards Authority, 2013
This document—apart from any third party copyright material contained in it—may be freely copied, or communicated on an intranet, for noncommercial purposes in educational institutions, provided that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority is acknowledged as the copyright
owner, and that the Authority’s moral rights are not infringed.
Copying or communication for any other purpose can be done only within the terms of the Copyright Act 1968 or with prior written permission
of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. Copying or communication of any third party copyright material can be done only within the
terms of the Copyright Act 1968 or with permission of the copyright owners.
Any content in this document that has been derived from the Australian Curriculum may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Australia licence
Disclaimer
Any resources such as texts, websites and so on that may be referred to in this document are provided as examples of resources that teachers
can use to support their learning programs. Their inclusion does not imply that they are mandatory or that they are the only resources relevant
to the course.
Athletics practical examination support materials
Introduction
The purpose of these materials is to support teachers and candidates in preparation for the
WACE practical examination for Physical Education Studies.
Skills set for Athletics
These materials outline the examinable skills set for Athletics. A total of three events will be
chosen by the examination panel, one each from: track events; throws and jumps.
Observation points
Observation points are provided for each skill in the skills set. They are provided for the purpose
of teaching and coaching and are designed to assist examination candidates in their personal
skill development.
Tactical framework
In the competitive performance section of the practical examination, candidates will participate in
a competitive situation. Students will be assessed on the technical application of skills, and their
performance will be timed / measured and compared with international standards.
Athletics marking
Skills section /54
Each skill will be awarded a mark out of six for each of the three phases of the skill. The skills will
be performed in selected drills.
Competitive performance section /60
Each skill will be performed in a competitive scenario and the performance will awarded a mark
for:

Technical application

Outcome/result (compared to predetermined competitive performance
standards – see page 15)
/10
/10
3
Athletics practical examination support materials
CONTENTS
PAGE NUMBER
Athletics skills set
5
Athletics skills set and observation points
6
Athletics tactical framework
14
Athletics competitive performance standards
15
4
Athletics practical examination support materials
ATHLETICS SKILL SET
Skill number
Name of skill
Page number
Track events
1
100m
6
2
200m
7
3
400m
8
4
800m
8
5
Hurdles
Males 110m at 91cm (H)
9
Females 100m at 76cm (H)
Throws
6
Shot put
Males – 5kg
10
Females – 3kg
7
Discus
Males – 1.5kg
11
Females – 1.0kg
Jumps
8
Long jump
11
9
Triple jump
12
10
High jump
13
5
Athletics practical examination support materials
ATHLETICS SKILLS SET AND OBSERVATION POINTS
1.
100m
Preparation – crouch start
Execution – acceleration phase
Completion – max speed phase



Blocks positioned so the power-side
pad is in front
o front pad approx two foot lengths
from starting line
o rear pad approx one foot length
from the front pad
Hands in bridge position no further
than shoulder width apart
Head aligned with the back
On “set”, shoulders roll forward just
ahead of or over the hands; hips
controlled and raised
Angle at the knee on the front leg
approaches 90°
Back leg elevates hips into set
position
Eyes focused straight ahead
Force is applied to both blocks
equally
Back heel/foot explodes against block
staying low and close to the track
Front leg extends fully to thrust the
body forward
On front foot push off, back leg arm is
thrown back
Opposite arm comes up and forward
and rises as the chest rises upward











6









Feet contact the track behind the hips
in the earlier strides
Each additional step, assumes a more
upright position
Body gradually straightens until feet
land directly under the hips
Stride length gradually increases
Chest lifts to create a power line at
45° to track
Force is applied in a more horizontal
than vertical direction
Lower leg moves with a ‘back and
forth’ piston like action
Knee remains in front of the foot, both
in recovery and drive phases
Feet remain close to the ground
Stride frequency and stride rate are
high in the acceleration phase







Foot dorsiflexes (toes up) allowing
leg to pull through the recovery
phase
On landing the ankle is
plantarflexed
Calf muscle tight against the
hamstrings, thigh parallel to the
ground as the foot steps over the
opposite knee
Elbow loosely positioned at 90°
Toe, heel and knee come up
simultaneously
Stride cycle completed when the
thigh is driven back down to, then
past the perpendicular position at
landing
Shoulders remain above the hips
Typically has the highest stride
frequency and optimal stride
length
Athletics practical examination support materials
2.
200m
Preparation – crouch start
Execution – bend acceleration
Completion – final straight















Blocks positioned so the power-side
pad is in front and at a tangent to the
curve
o front pad generally two foot
lengths from starting line
o rear pad approximately one foot
length from the front pad
Hands in a bridge position no further
than shoulder width apart
Head aligned with the back
On “set” shoulders roll forward just
ahead of or over the hands; hips
controlled and raised
Angle at the knee on the front leg
approaches 90°
Back leg elevates hips into set
position
Eyes focused straight ahead
Force is applied to both blocks
equally
Back heel/foot explodes against block
staying low and close to the track
Front leg extends fully to thrust the
body forward
On front foot push off, back leg arm is
thrown back
Opposite arm comes up and forward
and rises as the chest rises upward





Head,core and hips lined up with a
slight forward lean
Right arm assists to power around the
bend by driving slightly further across
the body
Body gradually straightens until feet
land directly under the hips
Stride length gradually increases onto
the straight and is then maintained
Force is applied in a more horizontal
than vertical direction
Arms move powerfulluy but in a
relaxed large range of motion



Stride frequency is maintained
Arm movement is increased over
the last 100m
Maximum acceleration of thigh
over its full range of motion (knee
comes up fully and quickly)
Leg lift is more pronounced
Lower leg moves with a ‘back and
forth’ piston like action
7
Athletics practical examination support materials
3.
400m
Preparation – crouch start
Execution – race phase
Completion – final straight




Blocks positioned so the power-side
pad is in front and at a tangent to the
curve
o front pad generally two foot
lengths from starting line
o rear pad approximately one foot
length from the front pad
Hands in a bridge position no further
than shoulder width apart
Head aligned with the back
On “set” shoulders roll forward just
ahead of or over the hands; hips
controlled and raised
Angle at the knee on the front leg
approaches 90°
Back leg elevates hips into set
position
Eyes focused straight ahead
Force is applied to both blocks
equally
Back heel/foot explodes against block
staying low and close to the track
Front leg extends fully to thrust the
body forward
On front foot push off, back leg arm is
thrown back
Opposite arm comes up and forward
and rises as the chest rises upward











4.







Head,core and hips aligned with a
slight forward lean
The first 50m run at or near maximum
effort to get close to top speed
Right arm assists to power around the
bend by driving slightly further across
the body
Last 4–5 strides on the bend drift away
from the inside line
Body gradually straightens until feet
land directly under the hips
Stride length gradually increases onto
the straight and is then maintained
Force is applied in a more horizontal
than vertical direction
Arms move powerfulluy but in a
relaxed large range of motion


Stride frequency is maintained
Arm movement is increased over
the last 100m
Maximum acceleration of thigh
over its full range of motion (knee
comes up fully and quickly)
Leg lift is more pronounced
800m
Preparation – standing start
Execution – race phase
Completion – final straight




Back leg is extended back with a slight
knee flexion
Weight is primarily over front knee
which is flexed
Torso is flexed at the waist
Ball of back foot explodes against the
track and slingshots forward, staying
low and close to the track
Front leg executes complete hip
extension that thrusts body forward
On front foot push off, back leg arm is
thrown back
Opposite arm comes up and forward
and rises as the chest rises upward
Long extended strides in first 150m to
find position on track







8






Body is relaxed to maintain speed and
rhythm when coming off the bend and
into the straight
Right arm assists to power around the
bend by driving slightly further across
the body
Last 4–5 strides on the bend drift
away from the inside line
Body gradually straightens until feet
land directly under the hips
Stride length gradually increases after
the first bend
Body maintains balanced position
Force is applied in a more horizontal
than vertical direction


Stride frequency is maintained
Arm movement is increased over
the last 150m
Maximum acceleration of thigh
over its full range of motion (knee
comes up fully and quickly)
Leg lift is more pronounced
Athletics practical examination support materials
5.
HURDLES
Preparation – crouch start
Execution – take-off /clearance
Completion – recovery/running
between hurdles













Blocks positioned so the power-side
pad is in front
o front pad approx two foot lengths
from starting line
o rear pad approx one foot length
from the front pad
Hands in bridge position no further
than shoulder width apart
On “set” shoulders roll forward just
ahead of or over the hands; hips
controlled and raised
Angle at the knee on the front leg
approaches 90°
Back leg elevates hips into set position
Eyes focused straight ahead
Force is applied to both blocks equally
Back heel/foot explodes against block
staying low and close to the track
Front leg extends fully to thrust the
body forward`
On front foot push off, back leg arm is
thrown back
Opposite arm comes up and forward
and rises as the chest rises upward








Drive across hurdle is with a fast knee
lift and extension of the front leg
Wide split between front and rear leg
Balance over the hurdle is with a good
body lean over the lead leg
Body weight is well in front of take-off
foot
Rear knee comes through late, fast
and high
Knee is swept to the side and flows
through into the stride away from the
hurdle
Action of the leading arm is out and
down
Body, particularly the shoulders, kept
square to the hurdle
Take-off is approx 2/3 behind the
hurdle and landing approx 1/3 in front
of hurdle




High knee pick-up and sweep
through the trail leg
Running resumes immediately on
landing
Rear leg comes through fast and
high into first stride
Sprinting action assumed
between the hurdles
Arms move fast to lift the leg rate
between hurdles
Approach to Hurdle
 First hurdle is attacked from a sprint
start position staying high
 Full running height is reached within
4–5 strides
 First hurdle is reached in approx 8
strides
9
Athletics practical examination support materials
6.
SHOT PUT
Preparation – grip/placement
Execution – building momentum
Completion – delivery









Shot is rested at the base of the
fingers
Fingers are slightly spread apart with
the thumb for support
The hand holds the shot in a cocked
position
Shot is placed under the side of the
chin, then pushed into the neck
Throwing elbow is raised to a point
parallel to the floor
The thumb of the throwing hand points
towards the clavicle
The palm faces the direction of the
throw









10
Begins with the weight over the back
foot and the non-throwing arm
hanging and relaxed
Just before the front leg drives toward
the board, the body leans backwards
and start to gently fall back into the
circle
Front leg is extended and driven,
towards the toe board, kept low to the
ground
Upper body remains closed and
square to the rear of the ring, with the
thrower’s back facing the throwing
sector
The hand of the front arm reaches
back towards the rear of the circle
During the drive of the front leg, the
back leg also extends, toward a split
position
Immediately after the split position is
reached, the back foot is pulled
underneath the body as it turns
90°toward the front
Shoulders remain closed, with the
back still facing the throwing area.
When the back foot is fully recovered
beneath the upper body, the weight
should be over the ball of the back
foot
The weight is then immediately shifted
forward onto the front leg
Back leg drives up and begins to
shift the body weight forward onto
the front leg
 Body weight shifts off the ball of
the back foot as soon as it hits
the ground beneath the upper
body
 The upper body begins to open
up in preparation for the arm
strike at the end of the throw,
in conjunction with…

the legs drive the weight up and
across the ring
 The shot is pushed outward as
the weight is shifted from the
back to the front foot,
simultaneously the legs extend
upward
 Leg extension occurs at the same
time as the extension of the
throwing arm
 The front foot is forced out of its
position and is replaced with the
back foot, which lands flat to
ensure better balance
 The extended throwing arm
should immediately be brought
back over the top of the body to a
position pointing to the centre of
the ring
Athletics practical examination support materials
7.
DISCUS (observation points for right handed thrower)
Preparation – starting position
Execution – building momentum
Completion – delivery and recovery









The throwing hand is placed on
top of the discus, the fingers
spread and pushed forward over
the edge until the end pads of the
forefingers curl around the rim
The thumb rests on top of the
discus
The wrist is rigid and the palm is
flat against the discus
A balanced and relaxed stance at
the rear of the circle
The athletes back faces the
direction of the throw
The feet are placed slightly wider
than shoulder width apart
Knees are slightly flexed









8.
The discus is taken back at shoulder height
to a position behind the right hip in a wide
flat motion
The trunk and shoulders follow
The left arm is slightly flexed and held in
front of the body at chest height
Body weight is transferred over the ball of
the left foot which pivots along with the right
foot in the direction of the throw
As the right leg sweeps around the left leg
drives the body across the circle in the
direction of the throw
The throwing hand trails behind
The ball of the right foot lands in the centre
of the circle
The left leg extends quickly to land in the
front of the circle
The body weight is over the bent right leg,
shoulders are level, facing the rear, and the
head is upright and in line with right knee
and foot
The left arm is still slightly flexed and held in
front of the chest
The right hip is driven
vigorously forward by pivoting
on the right foot so that the hips
face the direction of the throw
The right leg straightens,
transferring the body weight
forward on to the left leg which
extends
The discus is thrown with a long
arm slinging action
The discus is released off the
index finger
The left leg acts as a brace to
allow the right hip to drive
forward
After release the right foot is
moved to the front of the circle
and the left leg is
simultaneously lifted back out of
the way





LONG JUMP
Preparation – run up
Execution – take-off/flight
Completion – landing




Take-off
 Vertical alignment of the head, upper body
and hips
 Maximum controllable speed is generated at
the take-off board
 No forward rotation is to be generated at this
time by trying to “run off the board”.
 A strong drive with the knee of the free leg to
hip level
 The free leg is flexed at the knee, with the foot
trailing behind
 Vigorous arm drive




Running position is tall
High knee lift
Powerful but flexible arm drive
Leg speed increases in the final
strides of the run-up to attack the
board
Body angle adjusted from a slight
forward lean for sprinting to a
more vertical posture
Last stride is made fast, with a firm
flat-footed plant, slightly ahead of
the body
Eyes focus at a point beyond the
pit on a distant object




Landing is made with the feet
together ahead of the body
Weight forward
Heels strike the ground
followed by the balls of the
feet
Knees flex on impact to allow
the body to move forward
beyond the foot marks
Use of upper body and arms
to initiate rotation of body to
roll off to the side
Flight
 The take-off drive is maintained
 The take-off leg is brought through flexed from
behind the body to join the free leg
 The opposite arm is cycled over the shoulder
to join the other arm
 The arms and legs move forward to the jackknife position
11
Athletics practical examination support materials
9.
TRIPLE JUMP
Preparation – run-up
Execution – hop
Completion – step





Eyes focus at a point beyond the
pit
Maximum controllable speed is
generated at the take-off board
No forward rotation be generated
at this time by trying to “run off the
board”










12
Phase begins with a run off the board and
land on the same foot as the take-off.
Upper body remains in a vertical position.
In an active landing, leg is extended,
ankle flexed and the entire lever (leg and
foot) pulled down forcefully striking the
ground mid-foot.
On contact with the ground, the body rolls
forward over the foot onto the toes while
pushing off the ground.
On leaving the board, the takeoff leg is
extended for a complete push off the
ground.
Drive leg thigh is below parallel to the
ground at takeoff with the knee bent at
45°.
Drive leg begins to rotate from front to
back, while the takeoff leg begins to pull
forward.
As take-off leg reaches parallel, the lower
portion of that leg extends past the knee,
with the foot pulled up.
On leg extension, entire leg forcefully
drives downward, striking the ground and
setting up an active flat-footed landing.
Various techniques possible:
o “arm and a half” - the left arm drives
forward and the right arm is moving
backward but “bounces” off the
stomach and is thrust forward. Both
arms come back together during the
hop flight.
o “loop.” - the right arm, moving
backwards at take-off, continues to
rotate around the shoulder in a
360°circle, meeting the left arm and
landing both arms back.
o “reaching” for the landing with the
centre of mass behind the foot
checks horizontal velocity into the
second phase and causes forward
rotation.
Height on the hop should be controlled as
to not hinder the jump and should never
make up more that 35% of the total jump
distance












Landing is with the centre of
mass over the foot and the free
leg and arm(s) behind the body,.
The second phase begins as the
takeoff foot returns to the ground.
The takeoff leg is fully extended
with the drive leg parallel to the
ground and the knee at 90°.
Horizontal velocity is maintained
throughout the three phases of
the jump
On leaving the ground, the takeoff leg stays behind the centre of
mass and the drive leg “holds”
parallel to the ground, 90° at the
knee.
At the beginning of the descent,
the drive leg drops downward for
a quick transition to the jump
phase.
Centre of mass is again over the
foot. The step phase should make
up 30% of the total jump distance.
Landing foot at each phase
creates a pawing motion, helping
to maintain forward velocity of the
body.
The third phase is similar to a
long jump
The take-off leg (the drive leg in
previous phases) is extended
forcefully upon contact with the
ground.
A “hang” style is used in which
the arms are driven up and the
drive leg is dropped and the body
assumes an inverted “C" position.
The arms are brought forward
and the legs are straightened.
The jump should make up 35 %
of the total jump length
Athletics practical examination support materials
10.
HIGH JUMP
Preparation – run up
Execution – take-off
Completion – flight/Landing

Take-off
 Foot plant is close to the near upright
about an arm’s length from the bar
 Foot is directed towards the far corner
of the landing pit
 The body leans away from the bar
 Body in a tall position with head, trunk
and hips vertically aligned at the
moment of leaving the ground
 Quick and powerful movement to
obtain best flight path over the bar
 The arms and knees drive vertically
and powerfully
 The free leg is flexed at the knee and
is driven high aiming above the bar
 The knee drive should be held for as
long as possible during the flight
phase
Flight
 Aim is to hold a long vertical
position with the knee and thigh
held high before clearing the bar
 A long body shape is achieved
with the arms and head held in
line with the body
 The head should be fixed in
position by looking along the bar
throughout the jump
 To clear the bar ensure the heels
are tucked up beneath the body
with the hips splayed and knees
apart
 Push the hips and thighs up
 After the hips clear the bar the
legs straighten, flicking the heels
up and the chin is tucked into the
chest to assist the lift of the legs
away from the bar










The central phase of the run up
maintains the rhythm and build up to
optimal speed.
Running position is tall
High knee lift
Relaxed upper body with powerful
arm drive
Between 5–13 strides approx. up to
the bar
Full extension of the driving leg
The run commences straight and
then curves on approach to the bar
Slight lean away from the bar prior to
take-off
Increase in cadence for the last few
strides to attack the bar
A more upright posture with the body
weight being transferred onto the toes
The last stride is made fast with a firm
flat-footed plant
Landing
 Chin remains tucked and
shoulders rounded
 Landing should be on the round of
the back (shoulder blades)
 Keeping the body relaxed bend
the knees and roll off to the side or
over the head as if doing a
backward roll
13
Athletics practical examination support materials
ATHLETICS TACTICAL FRAMEWORK
Each skill will be performed in a competitive scenario and the performance will be awarded a mark for:
 Technical application
/10
 Outcome/result (compared to predetermined competitive standards – see page 15)
/10
Technical application
TRACK EVENTS
THROWS
100m





Reaction
Take off from blocks
Acceleration
Maintenance of speed
Finish
Shot put





200m





Reaction
Take off from blocks
Acceleration
Maintenance of speed
Finish
Discus





400m





Reaction
Take off from blocks
Acceleration
Maintenance of speed
Finish
JUMPS



Reaction
Acceleration
Positioning on track
o To minimise energy wastage
o In response to competitors
Maintenance of speed
Finish
Reaction
Take off from blocks
Acceleration
Approach to hurdles
Positioning over hurdles
Maintenance of speed
Finish
Triple jump
800m
Hurdles
14









Long jump
High jump
Preparation
Acceleration to the board
Maintaining low position on approach
Optimal projection angle
Follow through- maintaining position within
circle
Preparation
Acceleration to the board
Maintaining low position on approach
Optimal projection angle
Follow through – maintaining position within
circle










Preparation
Acceleration to the board
Maximum speed at take off
Optimum distance
Landing
Preparation
Acceleration to the board
Maximum speed at take off
Optimum distance at each phase
Landing





Preparation
Acceleration to the bar
Positioning at take off
Body position during flight phase
Landing
Athletics practical examination support materials
ATHLETICS COMPETITIVE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Marks allocation
Performance standards were calculated using the IAAF Scoring Tables. Equivalent scores are as
follows:
Marks
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Points
650
600
550
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
<200
Implement specifications
Males – 110m at 91cm (H)
Females – 100m at 76cm (H)
Males – 5kg
Females – 3kg
Males – 1.5kg
Females – 1kg
Hurdles
Shot Put
Discus
Males
Marks
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
100m
(sec)
12.00
12.26
12.53
12.81
13.1
13.41
13.74
14.08
14.47
14.87
>14.87
200m
(sec)
24.49
25.07
25.68
26.31
26.97
27.66
28.40
29.18
30.03
30.95
>30.95
Track events
400m
800m
(sec)
(min/sec)
53.76
2:16.2
54.97
2:20.4
56.25
2:24.7
57.57
2:29.3
58.94
2:33.9
60.4
2:38.9
61.94
2:44.3
63.57
2:49.9
65.32
2:56.00
67.27
3:02.7
>67.27
>3:02.7
200m
(sec)
27.76
28.39
29.06
29.75
30.46
31.22
32.03
32.87
33.80
34.81
>34.81
Track events
400m
800m
(sec)
(sec)
61.26
2:33.51
62.56
2:37.66
63.94
2:42.00
65.37
2:46.60
66.85
2:51.30
68.40
2:56.37
70.08
3:01.70
71.81
3:07.30
73.74
3:13.50
75.83
3:20.31
>75.83
>3:20.31
Hurdles
(sec)
16.76
17.23
17.73
18.25
18.8
19.38
19.99
20.64
21.35
22.14
>22.14
Long
(m)
6.29
6.06
5.83
5.59
5.35
5.09
4.83
4.56
4.27
3.97
<3.97
Jumps
Triple
(m)
13.58
13.18
12.77
12.35
11.92
11.47
11.01
10.53
10.03
9.50
<9.50
High
(m)
1.83
1.77
1.71
1.64
1.58
1.52
1.45
1.38
1.30
1.22
<1.22
Throws
Shot Put
Discus
(m)
(m)
12.71
39.26
11.9
36.8
11.07
34.3
10.24
31.78
9.4
29.3
8.56
26.7
7.72
24.09
6.88
21.5
6.02
18.8
5.15
16.08
<5.15
<16.08
Long
(m)
5.33
5.15
4.97
4.78
4.59
4.39
4.18
3.97
3.74
3.50
<3.50
Jumps
Triple
(m)
11.66
11.35
11.02
10.69
10.36
10.01
9.65
9.27
8.87
8.45
<8.45
High
(m)
1.53
1.48
1.44
1.39
1.34
1.29
1.24
1.19
1.13
1.07
<1.07
Throws
Shot Put
Discus
(m)
(m)
11.83
39.77
11.07
37.20
10.31
34.60
9.55
31.96
8.78
29.34
8.01
26.67
7.23
23.94
6.45
21.25
5.66
18.45
4.87
15.59
<4.87
<15.59
Females
Marks
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
100m
(sec)
13.71
14.02
14.35
14.70
15.05
15.42
15.82
16.23
16.70
17.19
>17.19
Hurdles
(sec)
16.53
16.97
17.42
17.89
18.38
18.90
19.44
20.03
20.66
21.35
>21.35
15
School Curriculum and Standards Authority
27 Walters Drive, Osborne Park, Western Australia 6017
Telephone: (08) 9273 6300 | Fax: (08) 9273 6301 | Email: info@scsa.wa.edu.au
Internet: www.scsa.wa.edu.au
16
TRIM: 2011/2086[v2]