Athletics (Track and Field Events)

Contents & notes: what this topic covers

Under Athletics (Track and Field Events), the JAMB Physical and Health Education syllabus expects you to study:

• 1. Athletics (Track and Field Events) a. Track Events i. Short distance races/sprints -50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, hurdles and relay races.
• ii. Sprints start styles–bullet/bunch, medium and elongated.
• iii. Visual and non-visual baton take-over and take over zone in relay.
• iv. Flight over hurdles and distancing in high and low hurdle events.
• v. The start, stride and finish in middle distance races -800m and 1,500m.
• vi. The start, stride and finish in long distance races -3,000m, 5,000m, 10,000m, marathon and cross-country.
• vii. Rules, regulation and officiating.
• SECTION D: FOOD, NUTRITION AND DRUGS b. Field Events C i. Throwing events –discus, javelin and shotput.
• -Facilities and equipment with specification -Styles and techniques -Rules, regulations and officiating -Safety measures.
• ii. Jumping events –high jump, long jump, pole vault and triple jump -Facilities and equipment with specification -Style and techniques -Rule, regulations and officiating.

Study notes & guidance

Study Athletics (Track and Field Events) using a recommended Physical and Health Education textbook that follows the JAMB syllabus. Work through the contents listed above one by one, make brief notes in your own words, and then practise as many questions on this topic as you can — in Physical and Health Education, understanding and steady practice matter far more than memorising. Use the objectives below as a checklist: if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Objectives — candidates should be able to

After studying Athletics (Track and Field Events), you should be able to:

1. Name the events that make up the shot distance/sprint races;
2. Identify starting styles in sprint races;
3. Differentiate the visual and non-visual types of baton take-over;
4. Explain the relay take-over zone;
5. Explain the different distances and clearance in hurdling;
6. Describe the start, stride and finish in middle and long distance races.
7. Name the events which make up the middle distance and long distance races;
8. Differentiate the rules, regulations and officiating as applicable to each track events. andidates should be able to:
9. Name the events which make up throwing and jumping events;
10. Identity various facilities, equipment and specifications;
11. Explain the styles and techniques in throwing and jumping events;
12. Explain the rules and regulations in throwing and jumping events;
13. Discuss safety precautions in throwing events.

These objectives are from the official JAMB syllabus. Use them as a checklist — if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Source: official JAMB UTME Physical and Health Education syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.