Locomotor Movements

IMG_0134.MOV

Skipping

How to practice:

1. Practice exaggerated marching with legs lifting high.

2. Slowly balance on one foot then hop on that foot. Then step forward with the other leg and hop on that front foot. (repeat this cycle 10 times).

3. Increase speed of the step hop pattern as appropriate.

4. Once the leg pattern is mastered, check arm swing to see if it is in opposition to the leg movement.

Hopping.MOV

Hopping

How to practice:

  1. Nonsupport leg held behind body swingings to produce force.

  2. Foot of nonsupport leg remains behind body

  3. Arms flexed and swing forward to produce force.

  4. Knees bending and extending to produce force.


Jump.MOV

Jumping

How to practice:

1. Standing position with arms extending behind body as knees bend lower to ground.

2. Knees extend till straight, arms swing forward and up in front of body.

3. Roll up onto tip-toes until both feet leave the ground. (Student may need hand hold to leave ground).

4. Practice both feet leaving the ground at the same time and landing the same time. Use a hand held assist if necessary.

How to practice:

Slide.MOV

Sliding

How to practice:

  1. Body turned sideways so shoulders are aligned with desired direction.

  2. A step sideways with lead foot followed by a slide of the trailing foot next to the lead foot.

  3. Continuous step-slide cycles in 1 direction, then the other

Gallop.MOV

Galloping

How to practice:

1. Arms bent and lifted to waist level (like holding on to reigns on a horse).

2. One leg staying on front as the lead leg. A step forward with the lead foot followed by a step with the back foot staying behind the lead foot.

3. A brief period when both feet are off the floor.

4. Maintaining a rhythmic pattern for consecutive gallops.