NCERT Textbook: Individual Games & Sports I | Health and Physical Education for Class 10 PDF Download

 Page 1


You might have participated in different games and 
sports. There are two broad categories of competitions 
which are played as individual games and team games. 
Team games are represented by more than two players. 
The example of team games are Football, Cricket, Hockey,  
Basketball, Volleyball, etc. Individual games are played  
with different events like, singles events, doubles or mixed 
events.
There are many individual sports, for example, Badminton, 
Table Tennis, Tennis, Swimming, Judo, Wrestling, etc. Track 
and field is also an individual sport which we will discuss in 
this chapter. We shall discuss various aspects of track and 
field, such as, history, rules and regulations, classification of 
track and field events. 
Track and Field 
Track and field events are comprised with running events 
and field events. All running events are held in the track 
and categorised as short distance, middle distance and 
long distance running, race walk, hurdles and steeplechase 
events.
Field events are categorised as, throwing and jumping 
events. There are “combined events” which includes decathlon 
for men and heptathlon for women. Decathlon which is 
organised for men includes 10 events and Heptathlon for 
women includes 7 events. The events are described below 
with the help of Table 4.1.
IndIvIdual Games 
and s ports I
Activity 4.1
 • Enlist the events of 
Decathlon for men.
 • List out the events of 
Heptathlon for women.
Chap-4.indd   35 8/24/2020   11:37:16 AM
Page 2


You might have participated in different games and 
sports. There are two broad categories of competitions 
which are played as individual games and team games. 
Team games are represented by more than two players. 
The example of team games are Football, Cricket, Hockey,  
Basketball, Volleyball, etc. Individual games are played  
with different events like, singles events, doubles or mixed 
events.
There are many individual sports, for example, Badminton, 
Table Tennis, Tennis, Swimming, Judo, Wrestling, etc. Track 
and field is also an individual sport which we will discuss in 
this chapter. We shall discuss various aspects of track and 
field, such as, history, rules and regulations, classification of 
track and field events. 
Track and Field 
Track and field events are comprised with running events 
and field events. All running events are held in the track 
and categorised as short distance, middle distance and 
long distance running, race walk, hurdles and steeplechase 
events.
Field events are categorised as, throwing and jumping 
events. There are “combined events” which includes decathlon 
for men and heptathlon for women. Decathlon which is 
organised for men includes 10 events and Heptathlon for 
women includes 7 events. The events are described below 
with the help of Table 4.1.
IndIvIdual Games 
and s ports I
Activity 4.1
 • Enlist the events of 
Decathlon for men.
 • List out the events of 
Heptathlon for women.
Chap-4.indd   35 8/24/2020   11:37:16 AM
Healt H and PHysical e ducation - c lass X
      Table 4.1: Track and Field Events
Track (Running Events) Field Events
Throwing Jumping
(a) Short Distance 
Running Events
 100 meter, 200 meter, 
400 meter,
 110 meter, Hurdles 
(men)
 100 meter Hurdles 
for women
 400 meter Hurdles 
(men and women)
 • Javelin Throw
 • Discus Throw
 • Shot Put
 • Hammer Throw
 • High Jump
 • Long Jump
 • Triple Jump (Hop-step-jump)
 • Pole Vault
(b) Middle Distance 
Running Events
 800 meter, 1500 
meter
(c) Long Distance 
Running Events
 5000 meter, 
10,000 meter 
3000 meter Steeple 
Chase (m), 20 
km walking, 50 
km walking and 
Marathon (42.195 
km).
Relay Events
 (a) 4 × 100 mtr 
(men & women)
 (b) 4 × 400 mtr 
(men & women)
 (c) 4 × 400 mtr 
(mix relay)
Combined Events
 (a) Decathlon (Men) (consist 10 
events)
  100 m, Shot put, High Jump, 
Long Jump, 400 m.
  110 m. Hurdle, Discuss Throw, 
Pole Vault, Javelin Throw, and 
1500 m.
 (b) Heptathlon (Women) (consist 10 
events)
  100 m. Hurdle, High Jump, 
Shot Put, 200 m.
  Long Jump, Javelin Throw, and 
800 m.
History
Track and field events are among the oldest of all sporting 
competitions. Running, jumping and throwing have been 
universal forms of human physical activities since the human 
beings exist. The first recorded example of organised track 
and field events is found in the Ancient Olympic Games 
held in 776 BC. The starting of the modern Olympic Games 
at Greece in 1896 was marked as new era for track and 
field events which was initiated by Pierre-de-Coubertin.  
Until the early 1920s, only males were participating in the 
track and field events. Introduction of five track and field events 
for women in the athletics was started during 1928 Summer 
Olympics. Gradually more women’s events were introduced as 
time progressed. However, it was only towards the second half 
of the twentieth century that the men’s and women’s track and 
field events were given equal status. Furthermore, major track 
and field events for disabled athletes were first introduced 
at the 1960 Summer Para Olympics. From 1990’s onwards, 
track and field events became increasingly more professional. 
Activity 4.2
 • Find out why Marathon 
is 42.195 km?
 • Collect information 
about different 
Marathon and their 
distance.
Chap-4.indd   36 8/24/2020   11:37:17 AM
Page 3


You might have participated in different games and 
sports. There are two broad categories of competitions 
which are played as individual games and team games. 
Team games are represented by more than two players. 
The example of team games are Football, Cricket, Hockey,  
Basketball, Volleyball, etc. Individual games are played  
with different events like, singles events, doubles or mixed 
events.
There are many individual sports, for example, Badminton, 
Table Tennis, Tennis, Swimming, Judo, Wrestling, etc. Track 
and field is also an individual sport which we will discuss in 
this chapter. We shall discuss various aspects of track and 
field, such as, history, rules and regulations, classification of 
track and field events. 
Track and Field 
Track and field events are comprised with running events 
and field events. All running events are held in the track 
and categorised as short distance, middle distance and 
long distance running, race walk, hurdles and steeplechase 
events.
Field events are categorised as, throwing and jumping 
events. There are “combined events” which includes decathlon 
for men and heptathlon for women. Decathlon which is 
organised for men includes 10 events and Heptathlon for 
women includes 7 events. The events are described below 
with the help of Table 4.1.
IndIvIdual Games 
and s ports I
Activity 4.1
 • Enlist the events of 
Decathlon for men.
 • List out the events of 
Heptathlon for women.
Chap-4.indd   35 8/24/2020   11:37:16 AM
Healt H and PHysical e ducation - c lass X
      Table 4.1: Track and Field Events
Track (Running Events) Field Events
Throwing Jumping
(a) Short Distance 
Running Events
 100 meter, 200 meter, 
400 meter,
 110 meter, Hurdles 
(men)
 100 meter Hurdles 
for women
 400 meter Hurdles 
(men and women)
 • Javelin Throw
 • Discus Throw
 • Shot Put
 • Hammer Throw
 • High Jump
 • Long Jump
 • Triple Jump (Hop-step-jump)
 • Pole Vault
(b) Middle Distance 
Running Events
 800 meter, 1500 
meter
(c) Long Distance 
Running Events
 5000 meter, 
10,000 meter 
3000 meter Steeple 
Chase (m), 20 
km walking, 50 
km walking and 
Marathon (42.195 
km).
Relay Events
 (a) 4 × 100 mtr 
(men & women)
 (b) 4 × 400 mtr 
(men & women)
 (c) 4 × 400 mtr 
(mix relay)
Combined Events
 (a) Decathlon (Men) (consist 10 
events)
  100 m, Shot put, High Jump, 
Long Jump, 400 m.
  110 m. Hurdle, Discuss Throw, 
Pole Vault, Javelin Throw, and 
1500 m.
 (b) Heptathlon (Women) (consist 10 
events)
  100 m. Hurdle, High Jump, 
Shot Put, 200 m.
  Long Jump, Javelin Throw, and 
800 m.
History
Track and field events are among the oldest of all sporting 
competitions. Running, jumping and throwing have been 
universal forms of human physical activities since the human 
beings exist. The first recorded example of organised track 
and field events is found in the Ancient Olympic Games 
held in 776 BC. The starting of the modern Olympic Games 
at Greece in 1896 was marked as new era for track and 
field events which was initiated by Pierre-de-Coubertin.  
Until the early 1920s, only males were participating in the 
track and field events. Introduction of five track and field events 
for women in the athletics was started during 1928 Summer 
Olympics. Gradually more women’s events were introduced as 
time progressed. However, it was only towards the second half 
of the twentieth century that the men’s and women’s track and 
field events were given equal status. Furthermore, major track 
and field events for disabled athletes were first introduced 
at the 1960 Summer Para Olympics. From 1990’s onwards, 
track and field events became increasingly more professional. 
Activity 4.2
 • Find out why Marathon 
is 42.195 km?
 • Collect information 
about different 
Marathon and their 
distance.
Chap-4.indd   36 8/24/2020   11:37:17 AM
Ind Iv Idual Games and s ports I
The World Athletics Federations (WAF) was formed and 200 
nations became its member. Olympic Games are organised 
after every four years.
Fig. 4.1: 1896 Olympic Panathnaic Stadium track
Track e ven Ts Track events are running events on a track for specified 
distances.
These include (i) Sprints (100m, 200m, 400m), (ii) Middle 
Distance (800m, 1500m), (iii) Long Distance (3000m, 3000m, 
Steeplechase, 5000m, 10,000m), (iv) Relays (4×100m, 
4×400m), and (v) Hurdles (110/100m, 400m).
200
3000, 5000
200
400m Track Various events start Indication
1500
110 Hurdles
100, 100 Hurdles
400, 800, 10000
4×100, 4 400 ×
Finish line for all events 
Fig. 4.2: Starting position of various events in 400 meter track
Activity 4.3
 • Name the person who 
started Modern Olympic 
Games in 1896?
 • Find out the colours of 
Olympic rings.
 • What does it symbolise?
 • Discuss for whom Para 
Olympic meant for and 
how many events?
Do You Know?
The IAAF World 
Championships in 
Athletics became a fully 
professional competition 
from 1997.
Chap-4.indd   37 8/24/2020   11:37:17 AM
Page 4


You might have participated in different games and 
sports. There are two broad categories of competitions 
which are played as individual games and team games. 
Team games are represented by more than two players. 
The example of team games are Football, Cricket, Hockey,  
Basketball, Volleyball, etc. Individual games are played  
with different events like, singles events, doubles or mixed 
events.
There are many individual sports, for example, Badminton, 
Table Tennis, Tennis, Swimming, Judo, Wrestling, etc. Track 
and field is also an individual sport which we will discuss in 
this chapter. We shall discuss various aspects of track and 
field, such as, history, rules and regulations, classification of 
track and field events. 
Track and Field 
Track and field events are comprised with running events 
and field events. All running events are held in the track 
and categorised as short distance, middle distance and 
long distance running, race walk, hurdles and steeplechase 
events.
Field events are categorised as, throwing and jumping 
events. There are “combined events” which includes decathlon 
for men and heptathlon for women. Decathlon which is 
organised for men includes 10 events and Heptathlon for 
women includes 7 events. The events are described below 
with the help of Table 4.1.
IndIvIdual Games 
and s ports I
Activity 4.1
 • Enlist the events of 
Decathlon for men.
 • List out the events of 
Heptathlon for women.
Chap-4.indd   35 8/24/2020   11:37:16 AM
Healt H and PHysical e ducation - c lass X
      Table 4.1: Track and Field Events
Track (Running Events) Field Events
Throwing Jumping
(a) Short Distance 
Running Events
 100 meter, 200 meter, 
400 meter,
 110 meter, Hurdles 
(men)
 100 meter Hurdles 
for women
 400 meter Hurdles 
(men and women)
 • Javelin Throw
 • Discus Throw
 • Shot Put
 • Hammer Throw
 • High Jump
 • Long Jump
 • Triple Jump (Hop-step-jump)
 • Pole Vault
(b) Middle Distance 
Running Events
 800 meter, 1500 
meter
(c) Long Distance 
Running Events
 5000 meter, 
10,000 meter 
3000 meter Steeple 
Chase (m), 20 
km walking, 50 
km walking and 
Marathon (42.195 
km).
Relay Events
 (a) 4 × 100 mtr 
(men & women)
 (b) 4 × 400 mtr 
(men & women)
 (c) 4 × 400 mtr 
(mix relay)
Combined Events
 (a) Decathlon (Men) (consist 10 
events)
  100 m, Shot put, High Jump, 
Long Jump, 400 m.
  110 m. Hurdle, Discuss Throw, 
Pole Vault, Javelin Throw, and 
1500 m.
 (b) Heptathlon (Women) (consist 10 
events)
  100 m. Hurdle, High Jump, 
Shot Put, 200 m.
  Long Jump, Javelin Throw, and 
800 m.
History
Track and field events are among the oldest of all sporting 
competitions. Running, jumping and throwing have been 
universal forms of human physical activities since the human 
beings exist. The first recorded example of organised track 
and field events is found in the Ancient Olympic Games 
held in 776 BC. The starting of the modern Olympic Games 
at Greece in 1896 was marked as new era for track and 
field events which was initiated by Pierre-de-Coubertin.  
Until the early 1920s, only males were participating in the 
track and field events. Introduction of five track and field events 
for women in the athletics was started during 1928 Summer 
Olympics. Gradually more women’s events were introduced as 
time progressed. However, it was only towards the second half 
of the twentieth century that the men’s and women’s track and 
field events were given equal status. Furthermore, major track 
and field events for disabled athletes were first introduced 
at the 1960 Summer Para Olympics. From 1990’s onwards, 
track and field events became increasingly more professional. 
Activity 4.2
 • Find out why Marathon 
is 42.195 km?
 • Collect information 
about different 
Marathon and their 
distance.
Chap-4.indd   36 8/24/2020   11:37:17 AM
Ind Iv Idual Games and s ports I
The World Athletics Federations (WAF) was formed and 200 
nations became its member. Olympic Games are organised 
after every four years.
Fig. 4.1: 1896 Olympic Panathnaic Stadium track
Track e ven Ts Track events are running events on a track for specified 
distances.
These include (i) Sprints (100m, 200m, 400m), (ii) Middle 
Distance (800m, 1500m), (iii) Long Distance (3000m, 3000m, 
Steeplechase, 5000m, 10,000m), (iv) Relays (4×100m, 
4×400m), and (v) Hurdles (110/100m, 400m).
200
3000, 5000
200
400m Track Various events start Indication
1500
110 Hurdles
100, 100 Hurdles
400, 800, 10000
4×100, 4 400 ×
Finish line for all events 
Fig. 4.2: Starting position of various events in 400 meter track
Activity 4.3
 • Name the person who 
started Modern Olympic 
Games in 1896?
 • Find out the colours of 
Olympic rings.
 • What does it symbolise?
 • Discuss for whom Para 
Olympic meant for and 
how many events?
Do You Know?
The IAAF World 
Championships in 
Athletics became a fully 
professional competition 
from 1997.
Chap-4.indd   37 8/24/2020   11:37:17 AM
Healt H and PHysical e ducation - c lass X
Sprints
Sprinting is the name given to short distance running in 
which the runner tries to maintain maximum speed for the 
whole race. These include track events covering distances 
of 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 
4×100 meters relay, 4×400 meters 
relay, and hurdle races of 100 meters 
for women, 110 meters for men and 400 
meters for both men and women. At the 
professional level, sprinters begin the 
race by assuming a crouching position on 
the starting blocks. Then they lean their 
body forward and gradually move into an 
upright position as the race progresses 
and momentum is gained. Athlete remain 
in the same lane on the running track 
throughout the sprinting distance. The 
man or woman who runs fastest and takes 
minimum time over 100m, wins the race. 
The winner is often named ‘the fastest man/woman in the 
competition’. Some sprint events start in lanes, to cover the 
same distance for each runner.
Middle distance
Fig. 4.4: Middle distance running
The middle distance races are of 800 meters and 1500 
meters. Runners start the race from a standing start position 
in the lanes along a curved starting line or in staggered lanes. 
However the distance is same for each runner. After hearing 
the starter’s pistol, they head forward in the designated lane 
or move towards the innermost track to follow the shortest 
route to the finish. Athletes rely more on speed endurance and 
Fig. 4.3: Sprint running
Activity 4.4
Tell the name of different 
starts in sprint events.
Chap-4.indd   38 8/24/2020   11:37:19 AM
Page 5


You might have participated in different games and 
sports. There are two broad categories of competitions 
which are played as individual games and team games. 
Team games are represented by more than two players. 
The example of team games are Football, Cricket, Hockey,  
Basketball, Volleyball, etc. Individual games are played  
with different events like, singles events, doubles or mixed 
events.
There are many individual sports, for example, Badminton, 
Table Tennis, Tennis, Swimming, Judo, Wrestling, etc. Track 
and field is also an individual sport which we will discuss in 
this chapter. We shall discuss various aspects of track and 
field, such as, history, rules and regulations, classification of 
track and field events. 
Track and Field 
Track and field events are comprised with running events 
and field events. All running events are held in the track 
and categorised as short distance, middle distance and 
long distance running, race walk, hurdles and steeplechase 
events.
Field events are categorised as, throwing and jumping 
events. There are “combined events” which includes decathlon 
for men and heptathlon for women. Decathlon which is 
organised for men includes 10 events and Heptathlon for 
women includes 7 events. The events are described below 
with the help of Table 4.1.
IndIvIdual Games 
and s ports I
Activity 4.1
 • Enlist the events of 
Decathlon for men.
 • List out the events of 
Heptathlon for women.
Chap-4.indd   35 8/24/2020   11:37:16 AM
Healt H and PHysical e ducation - c lass X
      Table 4.1: Track and Field Events
Track (Running Events) Field Events
Throwing Jumping
(a) Short Distance 
Running Events
 100 meter, 200 meter, 
400 meter,
 110 meter, Hurdles 
(men)
 100 meter Hurdles 
for women
 400 meter Hurdles 
(men and women)
 • Javelin Throw
 • Discus Throw
 • Shot Put
 • Hammer Throw
 • High Jump
 • Long Jump
 • Triple Jump (Hop-step-jump)
 • Pole Vault
(b) Middle Distance 
Running Events
 800 meter, 1500 
meter
(c) Long Distance 
Running Events
 5000 meter, 
10,000 meter 
3000 meter Steeple 
Chase (m), 20 
km walking, 50 
km walking and 
Marathon (42.195 
km).
Relay Events
 (a) 4 × 100 mtr 
(men & women)
 (b) 4 × 400 mtr 
(men & women)
 (c) 4 × 400 mtr 
(mix relay)
Combined Events
 (a) Decathlon (Men) (consist 10 
events)
  100 m, Shot put, High Jump, 
Long Jump, 400 m.
  110 m. Hurdle, Discuss Throw, 
Pole Vault, Javelin Throw, and 
1500 m.
 (b) Heptathlon (Women) (consist 10 
events)
  100 m. Hurdle, High Jump, 
Shot Put, 200 m.
  Long Jump, Javelin Throw, and 
800 m.
History
Track and field events are among the oldest of all sporting 
competitions. Running, jumping and throwing have been 
universal forms of human physical activities since the human 
beings exist. The first recorded example of organised track 
and field events is found in the Ancient Olympic Games 
held in 776 BC. The starting of the modern Olympic Games 
at Greece in 1896 was marked as new era for track and 
field events which was initiated by Pierre-de-Coubertin.  
Until the early 1920s, only males were participating in the 
track and field events. Introduction of five track and field events 
for women in the athletics was started during 1928 Summer 
Olympics. Gradually more women’s events were introduced as 
time progressed. However, it was only towards the second half 
of the twentieth century that the men’s and women’s track and 
field events were given equal status. Furthermore, major track 
and field events for disabled athletes were first introduced 
at the 1960 Summer Para Olympics. From 1990’s onwards, 
track and field events became increasingly more professional. 
Activity 4.2
 • Find out why Marathon 
is 42.195 km?
 • Collect information 
about different 
Marathon and their 
distance.
Chap-4.indd   36 8/24/2020   11:37:17 AM
Ind Iv Idual Games and s ports I
The World Athletics Federations (WAF) was formed and 200 
nations became its member. Olympic Games are organised 
after every four years.
Fig. 4.1: 1896 Olympic Panathnaic Stadium track
Track e ven Ts Track events are running events on a track for specified 
distances.
These include (i) Sprints (100m, 200m, 400m), (ii) Middle 
Distance (800m, 1500m), (iii) Long Distance (3000m, 3000m, 
Steeplechase, 5000m, 10,000m), (iv) Relays (4×100m, 
4×400m), and (v) Hurdles (110/100m, 400m).
200
3000, 5000
200
400m Track Various events start Indication
1500
110 Hurdles
100, 100 Hurdles
400, 800, 10000
4×100, 4 400 ×
Finish line for all events 
Fig. 4.2: Starting position of various events in 400 meter track
Activity 4.3
 • Name the person who 
started Modern Olympic 
Games in 1896?
 • Find out the colours of 
Olympic rings.
 • What does it symbolise?
 • Discuss for whom Para 
Olympic meant for and 
how many events?
Do You Know?
The IAAF World 
Championships in 
Athletics became a fully 
professional competition 
from 1997.
Chap-4.indd   37 8/24/2020   11:37:17 AM
Healt H and PHysical e ducation - c lass X
Sprints
Sprinting is the name given to short distance running in 
which the runner tries to maintain maximum speed for the 
whole race. These include track events covering distances 
of 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 
4×100 meters relay, 4×400 meters 
relay, and hurdle races of 100 meters 
for women, 110 meters for men and 400 
meters for both men and women. At the 
professional level, sprinters begin the 
race by assuming a crouching position on 
the starting blocks. Then they lean their 
body forward and gradually move into an 
upright position as the race progresses 
and momentum is gained. Athlete remain 
in the same lane on the running track 
throughout the sprinting distance. The 
man or woman who runs fastest and takes 
minimum time over 100m, wins the race. 
The winner is often named ‘the fastest man/woman in the 
competition’. Some sprint events start in lanes, to cover the 
same distance for each runner.
Middle distance
Fig. 4.4: Middle distance running
The middle distance races are of 800 meters and 1500 
meters. Runners start the race from a standing start position 
in the lanes along a curved starting line or in staggered lanes. 
However the distance is same for each runner. After hearing 
the starter’s pistol, they head forward in the designated lane 
or move towards the innermost track to follow the shortest 
route to the finish. Athletes rely more on speed endurance and 
Fig. 4.3: Sprint running
Activity 4.4
Tell the name of different 
starts in sprint events.
Chap-4.indd   38 8/24/2020   11:37:19 AM
Ind Iv Idual Games and s ports I
pacing than just pure speed. Middle-distance races require 
different skills and tactics to win the sprints competition. 
These races require that the athletes maintain a plateau 
pace, (i.e. the maintenance of speed at which the runner 
is running) that allows for a final spurt of speed, whereas 
sprint races need to be run at top speed for the entire length 
of the race.
Long distance
There are four common long distance running events in track and 
field. These are 3000 meters, 5000 meters and 10,000 meters 
and 3000 meters steeplechase. Long distance track races have 
much in common with middle distance races. However, in these 
races, pacing, endurance, and race tactics play an important 
role in performance. In these events, runners need to balance 
their energy to win the race.
Fig. 4.5: Long distance running
Relays
Relay races are the only track events in which a team of 
runners directly compete against other teams. Common relay 
races are the 4×100 meter and the 4×400 meter. The exchange 
of baton takes place within a specified 
area of the track called baton exchange 
zone. Teams may be disqualified if the 
team fails to complete the baton exchange 
within an area of 20 meters, the team is 
considered as disqualified. A team may 
also be disqualified if its runners have 
deliberately created hurdle for the other 
competitors. The 4×100 meter event is 
run strictly within the same lane on the 
track. It means that the team collectively 
runs one complete circuit of the track. 
Teams in a 4×400 meter event remain in 
Fig. 4.6: Relay race
Activity 4.5
What are important points 
in relays? Practice relay 
baton exchange technique 
amongst your friends.
Chap-4.indd   39 8/24/2020   11:37:21 AM