Movement

What is gymnastics?

» Gymnastics is an Olympic sport that involves exercises or sequences of movement that require strength, flexibility, balance and agility.

» There are many disciplines of gymnastics and each are referred to as gym-sports. Gym-sports include: Gymnastics for All; Men’s and Women’s Artistic; Rhythmic; Sports Aerobics; Sports Acrobatics; Cheerleading and Trampoline sports.

» Gymnastics activities are inherently fun. Pupils love to tip upside down, roll, jump, climb and experience activities that personally challenge their physical abilities.

» Physical abilities or skills such as flexibility, strength and coordination developed through the gymnastics activities underpin most other sporting pursuits.

» Gymnastics activities provide one of the few opportunities where pupils learn how to support their own body weight. Society is so ‘risk-management’ aware, that basic skills associated with climbing, swinging and hanging are avoided. These activities are integral to physical fitness and other life skills, such as landings from a raised height.

Modified gymnastics

» Gymnastics is a sport in which people of all ages and abilities can participate for recreation or competition.

» With modifications and variations, coaches and teachers can provide pupils with basic gymnastics experiences that are challenging and safe.

» The gymnastics activities within this resource are low-risk. The focus is on participation, keeping the apparatus low to the ground, modifying activities for individual needs and exploring the basics before progressing to a more difficult skill.

Tips for delivering gymnastics

» Like all sporting activities, gymnastics should be managed appropriately, and safety is important.

» Coaches and teachers should be aware of their legal responsibilities (duty of care) and provide appropriate supervision. This should be direct supervision, meaning you can see and hear what the participants are doing.

» Most gymnastics activities can be performed without any differentiation between the genders. Where possible, run mixed gender classes — particularly with younger pupils, as this will provide many opportunities for enjoyable social interaction.

» Pupils are sometimes frustrated in their attempts to perform a skill because they lack the strength, endurance or flexibility. All of these abilities will improve with time and effort. Don’t rush the learning of a skill if the pupil is not physically prepared. If you are having trouble, go back to a lead-up activity or modify the equipment.

» Use the lesson plans in this companion book, but make sure they meet the individual needs of participants. Some activities may need modification to be safely performed by pupils.