GYMNASTIC ACTIVITIES
Before starting the gymnastic unit start at the easiest level and progress in a sequential manner and then stop to adapt the skills to each grade level and ability. Add other domains such as track and field , rhythm gymanstics , skateboarding and an obstacle course/ circuit .
GAMES/ACTIVITIES


FREEZE FRAME

Set up the class in a circuit of five activities that are arranged side by side. Theywill be the following activities:

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Jump over folded mats in a hurdling position

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Hop scotch through 9 hula hoops

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Jump on and off a vault horse

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Crawl through a series of obstacles

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Jump to each side of a balance beam

While the students are performing the skills play some upbeat music and then turn it off trying to freeze them at their last position . Repeat often and the protocol is for each student to go to the next line to their left until all have had a turn at each place .

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SWITCEROO :

Place 12-20 cones in a circular arrangement on one half of the gym at midcourt . The students will start at each cone with some extra students in the center. On the signal "Blast off" they have to exchange to a new cone but there can be no more than two at a cone . For a variation practice the mimetics learned in class or add locomotor skills to perform as they switch to the new cones .

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MAT ATTACK :

Distribute 4-6 mats around the gym area with one student kneeling on the mat and his/her teammates pulling around the gym. The object is for one of e kneeling mat students to tag/touch another mat . At that point that team must wait until a different group can set them free by just bumping against that mat. The object is to set the most teams free or not to be tagged at all . Change new students on the mat often. As a variation the mats may be times in a race to the other end of the gym and then repeat to improve on a previous score.

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MAT PUSH :

Arrange the mats in an upright folded position while the students are paired in groups of four leaning their backs and sitting on the floor . Each group will try to push anothe rgroup to a contact line . Switch groups often for more variety . NOTE : The mats aren't upright standing but folded just enough to assure that the students backs touch the top .

EXAMPLE : V V V V


YOU MUST CHECK OUT THIS WEB SITE FOR AN EXHAUSTING DISPLAY of LEAD UP GAMES /SPORTS and ACTIVITIES. IT IS A VAST PLETHORA OF RULES < DIAGRAMS AND INFORMATION OF OVER TEN DIFFERENT SPORTS and GAMES . CLICK BELOW:


http://www.vcsu.nodak.edu/offices/HPE/faculty/Sharon_McCarriar/Instructional_Guide/Index.html


NEWSPAPER CHALLENGES : give each student a newspaper(24) and have them place it on the floor in a safe area. This will be a good time to review locomotor and non-locomotor skills along with an integration of language arts(reading). By using the written word along with the skills the students will perform the activities such as:

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S- slide , skip

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R- run around the paper

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H- hop

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G- gallop

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L- leap

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W- walk

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A- around

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O - over

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B- between

Also , have them balance the paper on body parts(arm , head , knee , etc.) and have them run with the paper keeping ot pressed againsy their body. The students may perform the skills but trade places with another paper.

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SNEAK OVER : Divide the class into two groups with one on a contact line and the other in the middle . Chose a mimetic(snake , crab , bear , etc.) for the group in the middle to bein as they attempt to tag the running group before they get to the other contact line. If tagged they must join the taggers or have thetagged students return and start over. Make boundries at the sides for safety . Switch places and mimetics each time for more of a variation .

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VOLLEY-PUNCH BALL : After the class participates in one of the PE CENTRAL CHALLENGES(volley hit) divide them into two games on each side of the midcourt line . Chose goalies with one in the net and the others between trafic cones(3-5 feet from net) .The players will try to volley hit the ball to other teammates or hit the ball into the net for (2 pts.) and between the cone(1 point). No player may catch the ball only volleyball hits permitted. The goalies may catch the ball then set it up to a teammate . Start the game with a jump ball . Switch places often and repeat the process. IF space is limited make a square formation with numbers(1-4) . Call one number to enter the middle and try to hit the ball between the other four line goalies. The same rules apply except give the entry players one minute to score as many as they can. Goalies are not permitted to catch the ball and try to keep the ball from the players.

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STATUES :

Arrange the class into partners of two or three students . Before the activity , practice the various balances , twists and turns associated with the tumbling unit such as:

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Balance on one body part , two , three , four , etc.

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One leg balance(arabesque)

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"v" balance on bottom , straight legs

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Straddle balance( on floor , legs apart , lift body off floor)

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Half turn , full turn

Have the partners grasp wrists and swing their partners in a circular plane. On the signal "freeze" , they let go and must be a statue using the above skills. Chose the best statue each time or try not to be the last group freezing. Try new positions in a creative way each time .

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ANIMAL TAG :

Practice mimetics before the main activity such as:

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Frog , log , dog

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Snake , crab , bear

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Crane , kangaroo , mule kick

Place a picture or the word of the animal on cones that are scattered around the area. Each time the students get to a cone they must perform that skill and then go on to the next one. Chose a few "ITS" to try to tag them as they move to the next cone. If tagged they must exchange places . Establish a time limit or wait until all get to a cone before starting again.

SNAKES :

Chose 2-3 students who will crawl like snakes inside the half court area of the gym. make all endlines and sidelines out of bounds. All other students must do a locomotor skill that was practiced to escape from the snakes. If tagged they become a snake and help the other snakes . Play until there is only one snake remaining . Repeat the process and change locomotor skills each time .

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TITANIC RIDE: PLACE TUMBLING MATS IN FRONT OF EACH OF SIX TEAMS/GROUPS. PLACE ONE STUDENT ON THE MAT WHO WILL BE IN A KNEELING/CROUCHED POSITION WITH HEAD DOWN. THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GROUP STAND AT ONE END OF THE MAT. THEY WILL HOLD THE MAT AND DRAG IT TO A CONTACT LINE.AT THIS TIME , ANOTHER PERSON SWITCHES PLACES AND PLAY CONTINUES UNTIL ALL HAVE HAD A TURN . THE RIDE WILL CONTINUE BETWEEN TWO MARKED CONTACT LINES. STRESS SAFETY AND A CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT. AS A VARIATION , THERE MAY BE ARTICLES FLOATING ON THE CONTACT LINES TO BE PLACED ON THE TITANIC MAT(BOAT). SUCH AS:

DECK RINGS- LIFE PRESERVERS

BOWLING PINS- BUOYS

GAME JERSEYS - CLOTHES/ARTICLES

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I will have information posted on my web page for the next four weeks on

my web site that will cover gymnastics and related activities .

But , for now , I will give some brief comments on some ways to develop

a feasible addition to the gymnastics unit . Don't forget about adding

rhythmical gymnastics in your program. Also , within each class you

must adapt the skills to real life situations . By adding an obstacle

course/station progression increases the interest of all the students.

An example may be to fold the mats that it looks like a hurdle. In this

case , the students will jump over each hurdle(track and field) ;

practice take off and landings(gymnastics) , develop turns and spins in

the air , execute various aerial skills(skateboarding) , and participate

in challenging activities that involve climbing , pushing , critical

thinking and plyometrics(co-operative activities). Make posters with

digital pictures for skill progression work and/or station activities

that include upbeat music . Of course , it would help to have acceptable

equipment but by making adaptations , you can vary the choices such as :

place a mat over the bars(elephant vaulting/climbing) ; place a ruether

board(beat board) in front of a crash mat and do various aerial

skills/kinesthetic moves(safely) , cargo nets , traverse climbing boards

, peg boards , rope climb(safety first with mat and for strength not

speed at a very low height) , and ladders. The rhythmical gymnastics

includes work with ropes , hoops and rhythm ball with/without music. The

most important factors for success will be SAFETY FIRST and including

appropriate activities for all students .

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This activity will be apropriate for the grades 1- 3rd level. Place half the class on a contact line and the other in the middle of an area of the half court . The other contact line is 30 feet away . The" Its" or Taggers will be in a mimetic position that is designated by the teacher. These skills should be practiced by the class before the activity commenses. On a given signal the entire contact line runs to the other side while the taggers chase them in the designed position( crab , bear , snake , frog , crane , etc.) Make boundries at the sides for a safe area not to go past such as each sideline. If tagged they start over but they must make it over in a 15-20 second time limit. Change to a new mimetic on the next turn. Switch places often and mimetics each turn.

: TUMBLING and LEAD UP ACTIVITIES

Skill Progression

Log roll

Shoulder roll

Incline roll

Forward roll , squat , straddle , pike

Egg roll backwards

Back candle

Shoulder roll

Backward roll , squat , straddle , pike

Frog balance , head and no head on mat

Headstand

Forearm stand

Mule kick

Short kick handstand

Handstand

Back roll to handstand

Cartwheel

Round off

Handsprings , front and backward

Check out the website below for information about my gymnastic/ tumbling unit . This is also a good site to establish your own BLOG .

http://www.pe4life.blogspot.com

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Here are some MIMETICS and LEAD UP TUMBLING SKILLS:

CRAB WALK

CRANE WALK

FROG JUMP

KNEE WALK

LEAD UP SKILLS

HANDSTAND

CARTWHEEL

ROLL PROGRESSION

START with CRAB JUMP- kick feet

STAY TIGHT - curled up/duck head way under

OPEN UP FROM TIGHT POSITION

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HERE ARE SOME CIRCUIT EXAMPLES

JUMPING over an OBJECT

CRAWLING under the CAVE

WALKING the PLANK !

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GAME of the WEEK

EARTHQUAKE - align the class on a contact line the length of the volleyball boundry line(30 feet) . Place mats at different intervals starting with a short distance to ensure success. The first person will start by leaping from mat to mat while the others follow in a safe distance . After each successful turn spread the mats apart to challenge the students to attain a longer distance. The space in between the mats(gym floor) is where the earthquake spreads. If the floor is touched a QUAKE POINT is counted against that person . For more variation add obstacles such as :

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A folded mat - mountain

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A traffic cone on top of the folded mat - fire or flames

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A hoop - quicksand

Note that noboby is eliminated - just for fun and later they will all forget about quake points.

Fitness Lab

Subject:
Exercise and Movement
Grade:
K-2, 3-5


Brief Description

This lab is used to show children the benefits of exercise through active participation.

Objectives

The learner will complete several stations set up throughout the room. In completing the stations, the learner will identify the activities that brought her/his heart rate up from a resting level.

The learner will experience the benefits of stretching before completing exercise. In doing so, the student will understand the benefits of flexibility and of stretching on a daily basis.

Keywords

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Measurement

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Exercise

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Heart Rate

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Stretching

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Measuring

Materials Needed

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Stations:

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A station for jumping jacks (or just jumping if the child is too young for jacks)

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A station for sit-ups

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A station for running in place

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A station for stretching into a pretzel position (mats if possible, carpet for sure)

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A station for measuring body fat (if your students can do the calculations, some may not, this is not an essential part of the lab)

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Paper sheets to record the learner's heart rate

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Ruler

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Pencils

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A timer that rings loud enough that all students will be able to hear it when it rings

Lesson Plan

This lesson perfectly ends a unit on nutrition and fitness.

Set up the stations around the room and place the students in small groups to complete the stations. I have found that it is best to mix the younger students and separate, by age, the older ones. Begin the lesson by reading the instructions for each station out loud to the entire group. Then, as a group, stretch, beginning with the large muscle groups of the body (the legs) and end with the small groups (the head, neck and arms). Depending on your group you may want to start out each station at 30 seconds. My group of second graders was so excited after two weeks of learning about the benefits of exercise that we started at 1 minute. Set the timer and monitor the groups. When the timer goes off, tell them to walk in place as they count their heart rate (Tell them to start, watch the clock for 10 seconds, then tell them to write down their heart rate by the station number that they are currently at). Rotate all of the students through the stations. If you are on block time you may be able to do this twice and increase the time amount for each station. End with the same stretching routine that you began the class with. Keep the body fat measurements personal but ask the students which stations accelerated their heart rates the most and why that was so. Take some time to discuss the difficulty of each station and also if they think they would be able to do it every day. Some of these exercises may develop into your morning circle activities! The students love them and they are great for them.

Assessment

If you journal, ask your students to write about the exercise activity in their journal. Look for correlations between the students' activity level and their satisfaction with the experience. This should help them develop the desire to make lifestyle changes and demonstrate to them the need for exercise in everyone's life.

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ALPHABET SKILL LIST/ACTIVITY

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This idea comes in the form of an integrated activity that shows pracice in previously learned skills and also gives an opportunity to those students who may have difficulty with the GYMNASTIC UNIT . In this way there is not only a great aerobic workout but integration , practice and skills. Each student will receive a laminated alphabet sheet and a particular letter to begin the activity. Play music to enhance enthusiasm and interest and after completion of their letter , they move to the next skill in alpabetical order until all "26" letters are done.

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A- Alligator crawl around the jump circle

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B- Bounce a ball 10 times

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C- Catch a wiffleball off a wall 10 times

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D- Dribble abasketball 5 times in place

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E- Exercise of your choice 10 times

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F- Football throw through a suspended hula hoop

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G- Gallop five paces forward

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I- Inch worm 10 hand steps

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J- Jump rope 20 times

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K- Kangaroo hop 10 times

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L- Leap over any two cones

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M- Roll sideward on the MATS

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N- Write your( name )on the bulletin board

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O- On and off a vaultuing buck one time into a crash mat

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P- Pass a ball to another person 3 times

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Q- Quiet for 5 seconds

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R- Run around the gym one time

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S- Shoot a basket 3 times

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T- (any) Tumbling skill learned in class one time

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U- Underhand toss a beanbag into the hula hoop from the line(10 feet away)

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V- "V" sit balance on the floor for 5 seconds

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W- Walk on an out of bounds line bacwards 5 steps

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X- Throw a ball on the wall marked with an "X"

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Y- Touch 3 yellow objects in the gym

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Z- Zig-zag to each side of the balance beam

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SKILL PROGRESSION:

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Forward roll

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Log roll

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Frog jump

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Shoulder roll

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Spotting near neck and lower back

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Inclined mat set up

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Backward roll

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Squat position roll to seat , tight body , hands hit floor near ears

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Repeat but place feet in air(candle)

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Back shoulder roll(egg roll)

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Rocking back and forth

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Inclined mat with spotting

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Handstand

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Push up position kick up one leg at a time

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Mule kick while moving(kick both feet)

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Stand- place hands on floor and kick to short handstand(45 degrees)

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Practice against wall(back) or with spotting

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Headstand

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Frog head balance(tripod)

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Spotting at feet and neck(partners)

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Against wall(back/feet)-spotting

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Cartwheel

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Start with a semi-squat into circular plane on a line

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4 point command(foot,hand, foot , hand)

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Spot into side handstand

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Finish 2nd half with spot(waist-cross hands in an "x")

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VAULTING PROGRESSION

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Practice a medium type run for 20-30 feet

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Place a jump/reuther board in front of a crash mat

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Start with a hurdle approach

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Place one foot about 2-3 feet from board/folded mat

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Jump to two feet on board/folded mat

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Knees bent on board - spring off board

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Practice jump and landing skills

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Introduce twists, turns, squats, straddle positions

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Place a short "buck/sidehorse" in front of crash mat

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Jump on and off , landings

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BALANCE BEAM PROGRESSIONS

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Practice all skills on the floor first

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Low balance beam- spoting an object for balance(wall, etc.)

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Vary the heights(line on floor, low beam , high beam)

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Practice non-locomotor skills

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Practice locomotor skills

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HANDSTAND DRILLS

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Lay flat on floor with in a straight body line

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Buttocks squeezed , stomach pulled in, toes pointed

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Partner lifts legs off floor(stright)

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Short kick handstand

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Spot with a partner

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Against a wall

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Kick to handstand-balanced by partner- STRETCH-

Here are some ideas for Rhythmic Gymnastics that may be used for those students who aren't capable of perfroming ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS:

ROPE EXERCISE: Maintain rope in "U" shape., arms and rope swing to forward middle...step backwards , swing rope to each side , arch back with both arms and rope to execute a large horizontal circle . Exicute two forward runs while jumping , half turn to jumping backward. Do a shoulder roll to a kneeling position with rope over head.

HOOP EXERCISE : Hold hoop in frontal plane and swing the hoop to each side. Shift weight to both feet and do a full turn . Slide step to the right and toss the hoop to the other hand. Slide and repeat the toss to the other side. Toss the hoop and repeat on each side. Do a shoulder roll and reverse spin the hoop and catch to a kneeling position.

BALL EXERCISE : Stand on toes and toss the ball into the air , catch and do a front shoulder roll . Leap , toss , leap , toss. Lunge forward and rotate the ball around one leg . Repeat to the other side. Slide and bounce , catch to each side. Bend body forward and do free roll (no hands) to a kneeling position.

RIBBON EXERCISE: Conrtract body(bend) and swing ribbon around the head . Make small circular (360) arm swings through an oval position of the arms/ribbon. Make two short runs with the ribbon waving at the wrist and on the final short run , toss the ribbon to the other hand. Roll back with legs upward(candle) and execute a small wrist circle. Stand and lunge to the right and make a crossing action with the ribbon to front of body. Pose finish looking downward/sideward.