Summary
NCERT Class 9 Physical Education Chapter 5 Sports covers a broad range of physical activities including indigenous Indian martial arts and sports (Thang-Ta, Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Mallakhamb), combat sports (Judo, Wrestling, Taekwondo, Boxing), outdoor team and individual sports (Hockey, Basketball, Cricket, Archery, Softball, Tennis), and foundational activities like Gymnastics and Swimming.
Chapter 5 of the NCERT Class 9 Physical Education textbook 'Khel Praveen' introduces students to gymnastics and swimming as foundational sports, then explores India's indigenous martial arts — Thang-Ta from Manipur, Gatka from Sikh tradition, and Kalaripayattu from Kerala — alongside the traditional sport Mallakhamb. The chapter continues with combat sports (Judo, Wrestling, Taekwondo, and Boxing), covering Olympic weight categories and historical origins. Outdoor and team sports including Hockey, Basketball, Cricket, Archery, Softball, and Tennis are also covered with key rules, skills, historical milestones, and governing bodies, emphasising how sports build fitness, teamwork, discipline, and cultural pride.
Key points & formulas
- 01Gymnastics derived from Greek word 'Gymnos' meaning 'naked art'; Friedrich Ludwig Jahn is the Father of Gymnastics; FIG (founded 1881) governs modern gymnastics; 7 types including Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline, Acrobatic, Parkour, Tumbling, and Aerobics.
- 02Thang-Ta is an indigenous martial art of Manipur (thang = sword, ta = spear); also called Huyen Lallong; basic stance is the Singh Mudra (Lion's Posture); unarmed variant is Sarik Sarat.
- 03Mallakhamb (Malla = wrestler, Khamb = pole) was revived under Bajirao Peshwa II by Balambhat Dada Deodhar; declared State Sport of Madhya Pradesh in 2013; mentioned in 12th-century Sanskrit text Manasollasa.
- 04Kalaripayattu (Kerala) is over 3,000 years old; Kalari = training space, Payattu = practising; British banned it; advanced students learn marma-sthānam (vital points of the body).
- 05Judo originated from Japanese Jiu-Jitsu; first school founded by Prof. Jigoro Kano in 1882; included in Tokyo Olympics 1964; competition held in weight categories.
- 06Wrestling has two Olympic styles — Greco-Roman (Athens 1896) and Freestyle (St. Louis 1904); India's traditional style is Pehlwani/Kushti, practiced in a clay pit called Akhada.
- 07India won consecutive Olympic gold medals in Hockey from 1928 to 1956 and again in 1964 and 1980; the International Hockey Federation was founded on 7 January 1924 in Paris.
- 08Basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1891 at Springfield College, USA; played in four quarters of 10 minutes each; basic skills include dribbling, passing, receiving, and shooting.
Frequently asked questions
01What sports are covered in NCERT Class 9 Physical Education Chapter 5?
Chapter 5 covers Gymnastics, Swimming, indigenous martial arts and sports (Thang-Ta, Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Mallakhamb), combat sports (Judo, Wrestling, Taekwondo, Boxing), and outdoor sports (Hockey, Basketball, Cricket, Archery, Softball, Tennis).
02What is the meaning of Thang-Ta?
Thang-Ta is an indigenous martial art of Manipur in Northeast India. 'Thang' stands for sword and 'Ta' stands for spear. Its other name is Huyen Lallong, meaning method of safe-defense.
03What is Mallakhamb and which state declared it as its State Sport?
Mallakhamb is a traditional Indian sport combining strength, flexibility, balance, and concentration on a wooden pole or rope. The term comes from Sanskrit: Malla (wrestler) and Khamb (pole). Madhya Pradesh declared it the State Sport in 2013.
04Who is known as the Father of Gymnastics?
Friedrich Ludwig Jahn is known as the Father of Gymnastics. Friedrich GutsMuths is known as the Grand Father of Modern Gymnastics. Modern gymnastics is regulated by the Federation International de Gymnastique (FIG), founded in 1881.
05What are the four strokes in swimming?
The four swimming strokes covered in the chapter are Front Stroke (Freestyle), Back Stroke, Breast Stroke, and Butterfly Stroke.
06Who founded the first school of Judo and when?
Professor Jigoro Kano founded the first school of Judo in 1882 at Eishoji, a Buddhist temple in Tokyo, Japan. Judo was included in the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964.
07What is the difference between Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling?
In Greco-Roman wrestling, a wrestler may not attack the opponent's legs, nor use their own legs to execute moves. In Freestyle, both arms and legs may be used to execute holds or defend against attack. Greco-Roman was introduced at Athens 1896 and Freestyle at St. Louis 1904.
08What does the word Taekwondo mean?
Tae means foot or to step on, Kwon means fist or fight, and Do means the way or discipline. Together they symbolise the skill of using fists and feet in a controlled way to promote self-control and peace. The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) was established in 1973.
09When was Kalaripayattu originated and which state is it from?
Kalaripayattu has existed for 3,000 years and has deep roots in the social and cultural life of Keralam. 'Kalari' means a space where one gets training and 'Payattu' means practising.
10How many Olympic gold medals has India won in Hockey and who captained the first gold?
India won Olympic gold in Hockey in 1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1964, and 1980 — eight golds in total. The 1928 Amsterdam gold was captained by Jaipal Singh Munda.
11Who invented Basketball and what are its basic skills?
Basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1891 at the Springfield College of Physical Education, Massachusetts, USA. The basic skills are dribbling, passing, receiving, and shooting.
12What is Gatka and how does it relate to Sikh tradition?
Gatka is an ancient Indian martial art rooted in Sikh history. The Sixth Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji initiated it in the 16th century and Guru Gobind Singh Ji developed it further in the 17th century. The two forms are RASMI (symbolic/traditional) and KHEL (competitive sport). International rules are set by the World Gatka Federation.
13What are the four Grand Slam Tennis tournaments and their surfaces?
Australian Open (Melbourne, Hard/Plexicushion, January), French Open (Paris, Clay/Red Clay, May–June), Wimbledon (London, Grass, June–July), and US Open (New York, Hard/Decoturf, August–September).
14When did Archery first appear in the Olympic Games?
Archery first appeared in the Olympic Games in 1900, was contested again in 1904, 1908, and 1920, then after an absence of 52 years it returned from 1972 to the present. The governing body is the World Archery Federation (WA), originally known as FITA.
15Is the NCERT Class 9 Physical Education Chapter 5 PDF free to download?
Yes, it is free to download with no sign-up.
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