Week 3 - Gymnastics

Session equipment

Gym mats
4 long skipping ropes
Music
Checklist for gymnastics routine

Download Gymnastics - Week 3 task card to support teaching before and during the sport session.

Fast start - Here, where, there

Equipment

Any suitable flat surface, including mats, a floor or a soft grassed area

How to play

On your call, players run towards you (here), away from you (there) or perform a static hold on the spot (where).
When teacher calls out ‘where’, also call out different static positions.
Static positions include angry cat, tuck sit, hands and knees, side lunge, arabesque, v-sit, arch

Skill development games - small groups

Air jacks - an action where the participant springs from two feet and explosively makes a wide star shape while airborne and then returns to the safety landing position of the ‘motor bike’.

Walking on hands - Players move forwards in the plank position using hands, followed by feet.

Scorpion kick - This is a term that describes a fun locomotion inversion skill that can also be undertaken as a progression for handstands. The participant places outstretched hands on the floor and raises one leg in line with the body, momentarily supporting their body weight. The action is repeated traveling forward as the remaining support leg springs. OR if student's are confident and ready to:

Activity 1 - Coach says

** TEACHER NEEDED AT THIS STATION

Dominant movement pattern: Statics, spring and landing

Skill focus: Fundamental motor skills development

Equipment: Any suitable large flat surface, including mats, or a soft grassed area

How to play: Using the rules of ’Simon says’, teacher calls out commands for players to perform various locomotion and spring movements shown on the left.

Ask small groups of players to demonstrate how to perform various locomotion and spring movements, giving students feedback on performance.
Use role models to demonstrate the movements that are most like what you are after.
Direct students to move around designated area using a designated locomotor movement. Call out various locomotion and spring movements for students to perform using 'Coach says' as in the traditional game of Simon Says.

Safety

Ensure students have plenty of room and movements are performed by all students in the same direction.
When walking on their hands, players must have strong arms and must not arch their lower back.
Players should land in the safety ’motor bike’ position when performing air jacks.

Activity 2 - Let's dance

Dominant movement pattern: Locomotion

Skill focus: Spatial awareness and balance

Equipment: Optional music, checklist of movements needing to be included in routine, gym mats

How to play: Players work together to devise and briefly practice a short routine that is made up of movements that may be done together or individually.

Players work together to devise and practice a short routine.
Players should be encouraged to include at least:
- 3 static balances
- Scorpion kick
- Air jacks
- Walking on hands
- Side lunge
Teams will perform routines in modified small sided games component of lesson.

Teaching tips:

Players can place their hands behind their backs on the floor to help balance themselves.

Activity 3 - Run the circle

Dominant movement pattern: Statics

Skill focus: Balance, teamwork

Equipment: music, volleyball or similar

How to play: Players sitting in a circle try to pass a ball around using only their feet.

Use one ball.
Players sit in a circle, facing inwards.
One player picks up a large ball with their feet and passes it to the player on their right.
Players continue to pass the ball around the circle.
Time how quickly the ball can travel around the circle.

Safety

Players should maintain a straight back and avoid arching.
Stomachs should be tucked in.

Activity 4 - Teddy bear, teddy bear

Dominant movement pattern: Spring and landing

Skill focus: Coordination, teamwork, spring and landing

Equipment: One long skipping rope per 3 students

How to play: Players chant a rhyme while performing skills and skipping at the same time.

Two players turn the rope.
Another player runs in and begins singing, and acting the rhyme.
Players swap roles regularly.

Rhyme

Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground (touch the ground while skipping)
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around (turn around while skipping)
Teddy bear, teddy tear, climb the stairs (pretend to walk up stairs while skipping)
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say your prayers (join hands to say prayers while skipping)
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn off the lights (reach up to turn off a light while skipping)
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say goodnight (wave and say goodnight while skipping out of the rope).

CHANGE it!

Players stay in the middle after singing the rhyme and are joined by the next player. The challenge is to try and have the whole team skipping at once

Modified small sided games

It's time for competition!

Teams compete against each other in a floor routine performance.

Allocate 4 points for a win, 3 points for second. 2 points for 3rd and 1 point for 4th for the performances. You may also award alternative scoring points; a team can score a point for teamwork, skill in performing balance, encouragement of others and effort.

Record results and points in the School sport program results spreadsheet.

Remember, to give students an update of the leader board each week.

Let's dance

Dominant movement pattern: Locomotion

Skill focus: Spatial awareness and balance

Equipment: Optional music, checklist of movements needing to be included in routine, gym mats

How to play: Players continue to work together to devise, practice and then perform a short routine that is made up of movements that may be done together or individually.

Players work together to devise and practice a short routine.
Players should be encouraged to include at least:
- 3 static balances
- Scorpion kick or handstand
- Air jacks
- Walking on hands
- Forward roll (on mat)
- Side lunge
Teams will perform routines in modified small sided games component of lesson.