Fundamental

Movement Skills

Aled Hughes (BE’d Hons – Human Movement Studies)

June 2006
 Benefits of physical activity in young children

Why is physical activity so important ?

 Promotes healthy growth and development

e.g. strong bones and muscles, flexibility, balance, posture,
cardiovascular fitness and achieving and maintaining a healthy
weight
 Helps make important connections between different parts of the
brain that develop memory and language
 Provides opportunities to develop social skills and to make friends
 Helps with relaxation and sleep
 Develops self esteem
“ If We Take Care In The
Beginning,

the End Will Take Care

Of Itself!

3
Why FMS’ s are important

Fundamental movement skills provide

the foundation for all athletic
maturity and are seen as the building
blocks from which
sports-specific skills are developed.
 Why fundamental movement skills?

• Fundamental movement skills are specific gross motor

movements that involve different body parts such as feet, legs,
trunk, hands, arms and head

• Children need to be taught fundamental movement skills - they

don’t acquire them naturally

• Children that learn fundamental movement skills are more likely to

participate in and play different games, sports and recreational
activities offered in the school years and in the community

5
Critical fundamental motor skills

• Catch • Leap
• Kick
• Dodge
• Run
• Punt
• Vertical Jump
• Forehand Strike
• Overhead Throw
• Two handed strike
• Ball Bounce
Long Term Player Development

RETAINMENT

TRAINING TO WIN

TRAINING TO COMPETE

TRAINING TO TRAIN

LEARNING TO TRAIN

FUNDAMENTALS
“Children who possess inadequate motor skills
are often relegated to a life of exclusion from
the organised and free play experiences of
their peers, and subsequently, to a lifetime of
inactivity because of their frustrations in early
movement behaviour”.
(Seefeldt, Haubenstricker & Reuchlien 1979, cited in Graham, Holt, Hale & Parker
2001)
 3 CATEGORIES OF FMS
(1)Locomotor
Locomotor skills involve moving the body from point A to point
B. These skills include walking, running, jumping, leaping,
hopping, skipping and galloping
(2)Non-Locomotor
Non-Locomotor skills involve body stability and balance. These
skills include twisting, turning, pivoting and performing balances
(3)Manipulative
Manipulative skills involve the control of objects using various
body parts. These skills include throwing, passing, striking,
catching, kicking and receiving objects
 The Fundamental Movement Phase

• Initial stage first goal-oriented attempts

• Elementary stage better control
• Mature stage mechanically efficient

ECH 340 Dr. Kathryn A. Short 10 Live Your Purpose

 The Fundamental Movement Phase

• Initial stage • Elementary stage • Mature stage

• first goal-oriented • better control, rhythm, • mechanically
attempts & temporal/spatial efficient
• exaggerated/inhibite sequencing • coordinated,
d use of body • still restricted or controlled
• poor rhythm & exaggerated • all elements
temporal/spatial
• some mature present
sequencing
elements missing

Live Your Purpose

 Typical Sequence of Emergence

• Stability
• static balance, dynamic balance, axial movements

• Locomotion
• walking, running, jumping, hopping, galloping, skipping,
sliding, leaping

• Manipulation
• throwing, catching, kicking, striking
 Stability Locomotors Manipulative
• Axial movements • Walking • Ball rolling
• Running • Overhand throwing
• Body rolling
• Jumping from a height
• Catching
• Dodging • Vertical jumping
• Kicking
• One-foot balance • Horizontal jumping
• Trapping
• Hopping
• Beam walking
• Striking
• Galloping/sliding
• Inverted supports • Dribbling
• Leaping
• Skipping • Volleying
Physical activities
Athletics
Tennis
Gymnastics
Cycling Rugby

Snooker
Football

Handball Hockey

Rounders Badminton

Golf Cricket

Skateboard Swimming

Walking Gaelic

Baseball Basketball
Netball
If Can’t catch ?
 Unable to play the
following
Gymnastics Athletics
Tennis
Rugby
Cycling
Rounders

Handball Football

Baseball Hockey

Gaelic Badminton

Basketball Snooker

Netball Swimming

Walking
Cricket
Golf
Skateboard
www,codexkids.com