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The Complete Year 5 & 6 Sportshall Athletics Competition Equipment Checklist
Sportshall Athletics is the UK’s most popular indoor athletics programme for primary schools within the School Games. It is endorsed by England Athletics and combines running, jumping and throwing events in an inclusive team-based competition that gives every child the chance to participate, while also allowing talented athletes to showcase their skills. The bright, colourful equipment and exciting event formats help to create a fun and memorable experience for every child taking part!
Planning a Year 5 & 6 Sportshall Athletics competition?
Whether it’s for a School Games event or an inter-school competition, this guide outlines the equipment needed for every event. We’ve also included a free printable checklist to help make organising and running your competition as simple as possible.
What events are included in a Year 5 & 6 Sportshall Athletics competition?
What equipment is needed for each event?
Sportshall 1 + 1 Lap Relay, 2 + 2 Lap Relay and 4 x 1 Lap Relay
These relay events test speed, teamwork and coordination as children work together to complete the designated laps and successfully pass the baton between teammates.
Equipment Needed:
- Sportshall Team Mats
- Sportshall Reversaboards
- Foam relay baton, plastic relay baton or hand tag
- Lap counters
- Stopwatches
Alternative Equipment:
You can adapt these races by using:
- Use cones as turning markers if Reversaboards are not available.
Sportshall 6 Lap Paarlauf
The 6 Lap Paarlauf is a continuous team relay that develops teamwork, communication and strategy, as children work together in teams of two to complete the six laps by alternating runners throughout the race.
Equipment Needed:
- Sportshall Reversaboards
- Sportshall Team Mats
- Foam relay baton, plastic relay baton or hand tag
- Lap counter
- Stopwatch
Alternative Equipment:
You can adapt this race by using:
- Use cones as turning markers if Reversaboards are not available.
Sportshall Obstacle Relay
One of the most exciting events in a Sportshall Athletics competition, the Obstacle Relay challenges athletes to combine speed, agility, coordination and hurdling skills in a fast-paced team race.
Equipment Needed:
- Sportshall Competition Hurdles (1m x 40cm)
- Sportshall Hi-Stepper
- Sportshall Team Mats
- Sportshall Speed Bounce Mat
- Sportshall Reversaboards
- Foam relay batons or hand tag
- Stopwatches
Alternative Equipment:
You can adapt this race by using:
- Use cones as turning markers if Reversaboards are not available.
Sportshall Over/Under Relay
Combining teamwork and agility, the Over/Under Relay challenges children to jump over hurdles and crawl through tunnels as quickly as possible before tagging the next member of their team.
Equipment Needed:
- Sportshall Team Mats
- Sportshall Tunnels
- Sportshall Reversaboards
- Sportshall Competition Hurdles (1m x 40cm)
- Foam relay baton or hand tag
- Stopwatches
Alternative Equipment:
You can adapt this race by using:
- Use cones as turning markers if Reversaboards are not available.
This event can be replaced with an additional relay race or a hurdle relay.
Sportshall Chest Push
The Chest Push tests upper-body strength and power, challenging children to throw a weighted medicine ball as far as possible from a standing position.
Equipment Needed:
Alternative Equipment:
- Football to replace 1 kg medicine ball
- Tape measure to replace the graduated measuring mat
Ensure all equipment is safe and appropriate for the age group taking part.
Sportshall Foam Javelin
Combining skill, technique and upper body strength, the Foam Javelin event gives children three opportunities to throw a foam javelin as far as possible, with their best throw being recorded.
Equipment Needed
Sportshall Speed Bounce
The Speed Bounce event challenges children to perform as many jumps as possible over a foam wedge in 20 seconds, testing their speed, agility, coordination and endurance.
Equipment Needed
- Sportshall Speed Bounce Mat
- Stopwatch
Sportshall Standing Long Jump
A test of lower-body power and coordination, the Standing Long Jump challenges athletes to jump as far forward as possible from a standing start. The clearly marked mat provides an easy and reliable way to measure performances.
Equipment Needed
- Sportshall Junior Metromat or Intermediate Metromat (Standing Long Jump Mat)
Sportshall Standing Triple Jump
The Standing Triple Jump develops leg strength, balance and coordination as children perform a hop, step and jump sequence from a standing start. The clearly marked distance scale on the mat makes results quick and easy to measure accurately.
Equipment Needed
Sportshall Vertical Jump
The Vertical Jump tests an athlete’s leg strength and power relative to their body weight by measuring how high they can reach from a standing jump. The built-in measuring scale makes results quick and easy to record accurately.
Equipment Needed
Event Accessories
Alongside the event-specific equipment, you’ll also need a range of accessories to keep your competition running smoothly.
- Clipboards
- Printed score sheets
- Pens and pencils
- Scoring laptop
- Tables and chairs
- Team bibs
- Duct tape
Optional Equipment
- PA system
- Speakers
- Microphone
Download Your Free Sportshall Athletics Competition Equipment Checklist
Sportshall Athletics is one of the easiest and most engaging ways to introduce children to athletics. Whether you’re running an inter-school or intra-school competition, our free Year 5 & 6 Equipment Checklist provides recommended quantities for an eight-team event, which can be adapted to suit your hall space and number of teams. Download, print and use it to help plan your competition with confidence.
For competition format guidance, visit Sportshall.org or contact team@sportshall.org.
To browse the Sportshall equipment range or purchase a ready-made competition kit click the link below.
Sportshall Athletics full equipment range, click here.
Sportshall Competition Kit, click here.
