Class 8 · Physical Education and Well Being · New NCERT
Chapter 3: Fundamental Skills of Sports – Athletics
"Fundamental Skills of Sports – Athletics" is Unit 3, from about page 59 to page 93. The preface says Units 3, 4 and 5 focus on learning new games, and Athletics is introduced in Unit 3. The contents list twelve activities, including starts, chase and tag, a reaction game, long jump, standing broad jump, hopping, high jump and a ball putting activity. Students build running, jumping and throwing skills step by step, with attention to safety, correct technique and fair play. It builds on the earlier Foundational Stage games of throwing and jumping.
This is chapter 3 of 6 in Khel Yatra, the Class 8 Physical Education and Well Being textbook, in Unit 3, Fundamental Skills of Sports – Athletics, and begins on page 59 of the printed 2026-27 book. It follows "Physical and Motor Fitness" and is followed by "Fundamental Skills of Sports – Table Tennis".
Activity comes first in "Fundamental Skills of Sports – Athletics". Children learn by moving, trying, adjusting and trying again, and the book stresses safe practice, taking turns, following rules and fair play alongside skill. Equipment should suit the age and ability of the group, and tasks can be made easier or harder without singling anyone out. After the activity, circle time gives every child a chance to speak about what they felt and learnt, and ground rules of respect and listening apply to all.
After "Fundamental Skills of Sports – Athletics", ask your child what they found easy and what felt hard, and what they would change in the game or activity. Conversations like this extend the circle-time habit to the home. Make sure children drink water, wear suitable clothing and rest properly after exercise.
This overview is written from the 2026-27 textbook's Contents page, its preface and the chapter title, to help families and teachers prepare. Please read the chapter itself for exact content, activities and exercises.
Topics covered
- Crouch or Sitting Start
- Chase and Tag
- Reaction Game
- Long Jump
- Standing Broad Jump
- Hopping
- Making an Arch
- Landing
- High Jump
- Heading Suspended Ball
- Trikōṇa Kainchī Kūda
- Putting ball