First, we cannot emphasize enough how crucial it is to know and adhere to your government and employer’s guidelines. This will vary enormously between countries, states and schools. For PE, these guidelines are likely to include:

  • Clean touched surfaces / apparatus / equipment between each use
  • Wash or sanitize hands frequently
  • Minimise contact and sharing equipment/avoid contact team games
  • Ensure good respiratory hygiene by using face masks
  • Students to attend school in PE kit on applicable days
  • Pupils to be kept in class groups
  • Utilise outdoor space as much as possible
  • Apply social distancing measures i.e., minimum 6 foot separation
Teacher with face covering Teacher with face covering

With these parameters in place, we need to make a clear decision and agreement with our school’s senior leadership whether students can use equipment or not. If permitted, students would be assigned their own ball, racket etc. for the duration of the lesson which they must not share. If your school disallows the use of equipment, then undoubtedly the challenge to deliver engaging lessons will be significantly harder. However, we hope that the following tables will stir some creative ideas of activities you can offer.

Social-Distanced PE Without Equipment Social-Distanced PE Without Equipment
Social-Distanced PE Without Equipment Examples Social-Distanced PE Without Equipment Examples
Social-Distanced PE Without Equipment Social-Distanced PE Without Equipment
Social-Distanced PE With Equipment Examples Social-Distanced PE With Equipment Examples
Conclusion

By no means is this an exhaustive list of socially distanced PE activities that you could offer. However, we hope that you have found some of the ideas helpful for planning your lessons this term. For more ideas check out our Fitness, FMS and Track and Field packs which offer many activities that can be easily adapted for social-distancing or download some of our skill cards.

If there is anything you would like to contribute to this article, please email: info@thepeproject.com We love to share!