NCERT Class 8 Physical Education and Well Being Khel Yatra: Chapter 3 — Fundamental Skills of Sports: Athletics
This chapter introduces Athletics as a fundamental sport, also known as Track and Field, encompassing Track, Field, and Combined Events. It highlights that athletics develops crucial physical traits like strength, speed, endurance, agility, flexibility, and coordination through running, jumping, and throwing. The text emphasizes the positive impact of athletics on human development, fostering character traits such as willpower, determination, self-discipline, and awareness. It details the basic skill of running, explaining its importance and the techniques for starting a race. Two types of starts are introduced: the Crouch or Sitting start, used for races up to 400 meters, and the Standing start, for middle and long-distance races. The chapter focuses on the Crouch start, mentioning its variations like Bunch, Medium, and Elongated starts, crucial for quick acceleration and race outcomes. This chapter provides foundational knowledge for students in physical education.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | Physical Education and Well Being |
| Book | Khel Yatra |
| Chapter | Chapter 3 — Fundamental Skills of Sports: Athletics |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 366 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the definition and classification of Athletics.
- Identify the fundamental skills involved in Athletics.
- Recognize the positive impact of Athletics on physical and character development.
- Learn about the techniques for starting a race, specifically the Crouch start.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Athletics | A sport comprising track, field, and combined events, involving running, jumping, and throwing. |
| Track Events | Competitions held on a running track, such as sprints and distance races. |
| Field Events | Competitions involving jumping and throwing events. |
| Combined Events | Competitions that combine multiple track and field disciplines. |
| Locomotion | The movement or ability to move from one place to another. |
| Aerial gait | A manner of running where all feet are off the ground at some point. |
| Crouch start | A starting position for running races where the athlete is low to the ground. |
| Standing start | A starting position for running races where the athlete begins in an upright posture. |
| Acceleration | The rate at which speed increases. |
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Practice questions
- What are the three main classifications of athletics events? Answer: Track Events, Field Events, and Combined Events.
- Name two character traits that athletics can help develop. Answer: Willpower, determination, resoluteness, self-discipline, team spirit, and awareness.
- Which type of start is used for running events up to 400 meters? Answer: Crouch start or Sitting start.
- What is an aerial gait? Answer: A gait where the feet are above the ground, characteristic of running.
Frequently asked questions
What is Athletics also known as?
Athletics is also known as Track and Field.
What are the main categories of athletics events?
The events of athletics are classified as Track Events, Field Events, and Combined Events.
What physical traits does athletics help improve?
Athletics emphasizes improving physical traits like strength, speed, endurance, agility, flexibility, and coordination.
What is the purpose of a Crouch start?
The Crouch start allows the runner to react quickly to the starting sound and achieve fast acceleration by properly positioning their center of gravity.
Which type of start is typically used for middle and long-distance races?
The Standing start is commonly used in middle-distance and long-distance races.
Besides physical skills, what else does athletics help develop?
Athletics is a way to develop character and willpower, including determination, resoluteness, self-discipline, and awareness.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 8 Physical Education and Well Being — Khel Yatra — Chapter 3 — Fundamental Skills of Sports: Athletics. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.