Section B · Set Phrase Performance
Safe Working Practices
How to stay safe in rehearsal — and how to explain it in the exam
What you'll learn
- The seven areas of safe working practice you must know
- Why physiological language matters when you write about cool-downs
- How to structure a Level 3 safe practice answer covering 3 safe practices
- How to tell apart strong and weak exam answers on this topic
Safe working practices aren't just a school rule — they're what separates a sustainable dancer from an injured one. And in the exam, when you're asked to explain a safe practice you used, there's a very common trap: students write "so I don't get injured" and earn almost nothing. The examiners want physiological language — the science of what's actually happening in your body. This page will help you understand the seven areas, use the right vocabulary, and write the kind of detailed explanation that earns full marks.
The Seven Safe Practice Areas
🛡️ What counts as safe working practice?
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There are seven areas the AQA mark scheme recognises. You only need to write about one or two in the exam, but knowing all of them means you can choose the strongest example from your own rehearsal experience.
Did you know?
The two safe practices most commonly tested in AQA papers are warming up and cooling down. Make sure you can explain both with physiological language — not just say you did them.
🔬 The physiological language test
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When you explain why you warmed up or cooled down, vague answers don't score at Level 3. Read the difference below:
Examiner's Eye
Weak: "We cooled down so we didn't get too sore or injured."
Strong: "We cooled down with static stretches — this reduced delayed onset muscle soreness in the following days and gradually lowered our heart rate back to resting state."
Both mention cooling down. Only the second earns L3. The difference is naming the physiological effect.
Key physiological phrases to use:
- Warm-up: "raised heart rate gradually" / "increased blood flow to muscles" / "reduced risk of muscle tear" / "prepared joints for full range of movement"
- Cool-down: "lowered heart rate gradually back to resting state" / "reduced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)" / "flushed lactic acid from the muscles" / "relieved muscle tension and prevented tightness"
Analogy Anchor
Think of a car engine. You don't rev it to full speed from cold start — you let it warm up first, and you let it cool before switching off. Your muscles work the same way. The exam wants you to explain the engine science, not just say "we let it warm up."
Model Answer
✍️ Annotated Level 3 answer
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This is a 6-mark (Level 3) answer to the question: "Explain how safe working practices were used during rehearsals for your set phrase performance." Aim for 3 practices — each with physiological language. Tap the highlighted phrases to see what they're doing. Tap the highlighted phrases to see what they're doing.
Level 3 Model Answer — Safe Working Practices
I performed the AQA set phrase Shift/Breathe. Before every rehearsal we warmed up thoroughly, starting with pulse-raisers and moving into dynamic stretches. This was important because going into demanding positions cold significantly increases the risk of muscle tear and joint strain. The dynamic stretches raised our heart rate gradually and increased blood flow to the working muscles, preparing the body for the full range of movement required in the phrase. We also made sure to cool down with static stretches at the end of every session. This reduced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in the days following rehearsal and gradually lowered our heart rate back to resting state, which is important for cardiovascular recovery. We also made sure to stay hydrated throughout every session, drinking water between run-throughs. This was important because dehydration during sustained physical activity causes muscle cramp and a significant drop in concentration and energy. By maintaining hydration I was able to sustain the quality of movement consistently from the first run-through to the last, rather than deteriorating as the session went on.
🩺 Point 1 — Names the safe practice (warm-up) and gives detail (pulse-raisers → dynamic stretches). Specific, not vague.
💥 Evidence/Reason 1a — Explains WHY in physiological language: "muscle tear", "joint strain". This is what earns L3.
🔬 Effect 1 — Adds a second physiological effect: raised heart rate, blood flow, range of movement. Two effects = full detail.
🩺 Point 2 — Names the second safe practice (cool-down) clearly.
💥 Evidence/Reason 2a — Uses the technical term DOMS. This alone shows strong subject knowledge.
🔬 Effect 2 — Cardiovascular recovery. Strong physiological language.
🩺 Point 3 — A third practice (hydration) gives even more weight to the answer. Three practices = full L3 coverage.
💥 Evidence/Reason 3a — Names two specific physiological effects of dehydration: cramp and drop in concentration. Precise and examiner-ready.
🔬 Effect 3 — Links hydration directly to sustained performance quality across the whole session. Three practices, three explanations. Full marks.
Point — the practice itself
Evidence/reason — why it matters
Effect — physiological outcome
Activity: Does This Score?
🎯 Does this cool-down reason score? Yes / No / Depends
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A student is explaining why they cooled down. For each reason, decide: would this earn marks in the exam? Click your answer to see the reveal.
Activity: Safe or Not Safe?
⚠️ Safe rehearsal practice — or not?
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Six rehearsal scenarios. For each one, decide: Safe Practice ✓ or Unsafe Practice ✗?
Question Bank
📋 Past paper style questions with model answers
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Tap each question to reveal a model answer. Write your own first, then compare.
Spot the Level
🔍 Identify the mark level: L1, L2, or L3?
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Question: "Explain one safe working practice you used during rehearsals for your set phrase performance."
Mini Test
Answer all 10 questions, then click Submit. 📸 Screenshot your score for your ePortfolio.
📸 Take a screenshot of your score now and paste it into your ePortfolio document so your teacher can see your progress.
🗂️ Revisit This — 6 Key Facts
7 areasWarming up, cooling down, safe execution, dancewear/footwear, safe environment, nutrition, hydration.
The magic phrase"Lowered heart rate gradually back to resting state" — always include this for cool-down.
DOMSDelayed onset muscle soreness — a technical term that impresses examiners and earns marks.
Avoid"So I don't get injured" on its own earns almost nothing. Always add the physiological reason.
Two practicesFor a 6-mark question, cover two practices — each with a named physiological effect.
Both phrasesStart with "I performed the AQA set phrase Shift/Breathe." — always anchor your answer first.