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School Gymnastics Sample Lesson Material

School Gymnastics for Key Stages 3 and 4 is a two volume scheme of work. The major part of the manuals comprises lesson material in 11 very detailed and progressive units of work organised in a way which enables the teacher to select the most appropriate phases of development of difficulty to match the expertise of a class. There are masters of over 160 original work cards to aid extension and differentiation in the class situation and a comprehensive section on how to teach individual gymnastic skills by breaking them down into progressive stages.

Click on the section below to view the relevant sample lesson material:

Phase 3: Mirroring In Two's - Balancing, Travelling And Jumping
Specific Skills Teaching: Handstand - Forward Roll

Extension Card: Moving Out Of A Handstand

Phase 3

Mirroring In Two's - Balancing, Travelling And Jumping

1. What is mirroring? Mirroring is simply working with a partner to show movements which are like a mirror reflection e.g. when standing in front of a mirror - if you moved your right arm your reflection would move its left etc. It is easier, therefore, to imagine a mirror between.
   (e.g. two partners facing each other when executing a balance)
   Try out balances remembering opposite arm/leg etc.
   
   
2. Can you perform mirror movements side-by-side with a partner, e.g. forward roll - walk out, cartwheels, run and jump? Practise and look at ideas and encourage critical analysis of their validity as a set of mirror movements.
   (Remember cartwheels should be back-to-back for safety when mirroring.)
   
   
3. Can you perform any of these movements or skills when travelling towards or away from the mirror? (As soon as pupils begin travelling with mirror actions they will often find that one partner has to perform the movement on his/her non-dominant side. The ability to do this, or attempt to do it, should be praised. Both partners should attempt the non-dominant side and decide which is the stronger performer.)

   At this point it is also opportune to have the whole class trying cartwheels and handstands leading with the non-dominant leg.

4. Teach a turning jump from one foot and from two feet.

5. Can you and your partner perform mirror movements comprising a run into a turning jump?
   (Remember matching = both turning the same way, e.g. to the right. Mirroring means both turning in different directions, i.e. one to the right and one to the left. In simple terms when you start side-by-side mirrored turning jump is where you turn inwards towards each other or outwards away from each other.)

6. Sequence
   Can you construct a short sequence showing a run, jump, travel and balance all with mirroring movements? Show different directions and levels in your sequence.

Mirroring Sequence "A" - Card 9 Perform this sequence smoothly on your own. Show clearly a change of speed. Evaluate and improve your partner's sequence. Work with you partner and perform it together mirroring throughout the sequence. Perform the sequence with your partner but now work out where you can change direction and relationships. Perform the sequence with your partner but now change the shape of the jump. (Remember you must land on two feet to move into the forward roll) More Advanced: Can you perform the same sequence with your partner but, instead of Arabesque, perform a Cartwheel? (Remember it is mirroring, therefore, cartwheels should be back to back for travelling away from each other.)

Mirroring Sequence "B" - Card 10 Perform this sequence smoothly on your own. Show clearly a change of speed. Evaluate and improve your partner's sequence. Work with your partner and perform it together mirroring throughout the sequence. Perform the sequence but now work out where you can change direction and relationship. Perform the sequence with your partner but now change the way you come out of your shoulder stand. More Advanced: Can you perform the same sequence with your partner but, instead of balance at the end, perform a handstand or handstand into a forward roll?

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Specific Skills Teaching

Handstand - Forward Roll

1. Swing up into a handstand.
   Hold the handstand position with strong tension throughout the body.
   
   
2. As the weight of the body begins to pass over the vertical position, tuck head in, chin on chest and bend elbows to allow the body to sink down into the first part of the roll. Back curved but legs remain straight. N.B. Head is close to hands.
   
   
3. Knees are drawn in tightly to the body as the shoulders touch the ground. As the roll nears completion, tuck heels in as close as possible to hips, reach forward with arms and thrust up with legs to stand.

Very Important:

The performer should be very competent in the execution of the handstand before transition into the forward roll is attempted.

Common Faults:

1. Performing just an extended forward roll - no initial handstand position being held.
   
   
2. Falling down heavily onto the back from the handstand position.

Remedy:

1. The teacher can support the child in a handstand before assisting them to lower gently into the forward roll. N.B. If the child is a fairly competent performer, and not very tall, then it is reasonable to support by knees or thighs, but if the child is taller, or an unsteady performer, then the support should always be by the hips.
   
   
2. There could be two possible causes for fault (b) -
   1. Overbalancing too far in the handstand before dropping into the roll or
   2. Releasing the tension from the arms suddenly, instead of keeping the tension in the arms as they bend and lowering the body slowly to the floor.

   The remedy is as for (a) but the support is on the hips and the teacher lowers the student into the roll, supporting hips all the time, and taking the weight.

N.B. All handstand movements and combinations can be extended or developed by working with a partner, making sequences, or transferring work to apparatus.

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Extension Cards

Moving Out of a Handstand

Handstand Skill Card 22 Ways Of Moving Out Of A Handstand How many of these different ways of moving out of a handstand can you perform? Can you think of any other ways?

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