MIDTERM COVERAGE

GYMNASTICS

“Movement is the song of the body.”

-Vanda Scaravelli
The Basic Natural Movements

Locomotor Movements

These are movements where the body travels through space from one location to
another. Locomotor movement’s primary use the feet for support however, the body
can travel on other parts such as the hands and feet.

Types of Locomotor Movements

1. Walk – is a series of steps in any direction.
2. Run – move at a speed faster than walk.

3. Hop – move by jumping by one foot.

4. Skip – is a step from one foot to other.

5. Leap – is to spring on one foot and land on the other foot.

 6. Jump – is to spring on both feet by using the muscles in legs and feet.

Non Locomotor Movements

These are movements that occur in the body parts or the whole body and do not cause
the body to travel to another space. However, non-locomotor movements can be
combined with locomotor movements such as a walk and arm swing.

Types of Non Locomotor Movements

1. Swing - a pendular motion of a body part that can move forward and backward
or side to side.
2. Twist - a partial rotation of body parts around an axis.

3. Turn - a full rotation of the body around a vertical or horizontal axis. Full, half or
quarter turns
4. Shake - a short quick vibrating movement in a body part or the whole body.
5. Bend - a flex of a body part at a joint.
 6. Stretch - extending a body part or the whole body.

Floor Skills

The skills presented in this unit are used to create routines on the floor exercise.
The skills can be held position or it can be used to connect movements. Almost all the
skill on the floor can also be done on the balance beam.

Values of Floor Exercise

1. Improves grace, form and control of the body parts.

2. Improves coordination and rhythmical flowing movements.
3. Increase ability for self-expression.
4. Enhances creativity by creating movements’ combinations or new body
positions.

Floor Skills Position

1. Standing Arch Back

Standing feet together or one foot pointed forward;
bend trunk backward to arch position.

2. Lunge with Arch Back

Lunge forward right or left, arch back.

3. Lunge sideward with Side Bend

 Lunge sideward right or left; bend trunk sideward right or left.

4. Deep Lunge
Sit on the right heel, left leg extended sideward or backward. Trunks arch
backward, if the leg is at the back and bend trunk sideward if the leg is at the

side.
5. Moderate Arabesque
Standing on the right foot, lift the left leg in rear (45) trunk well arch, head up.
Arms in any position.

6. Front Scale
Standing on the right foot, lift the left leg in rear as high as possible trunk arch,
almost parallel to the floor. Head is help up; arms in any positions.

7. One Leg Balance

 Standing on the right leg, raise left leg sideward-upward. The right hand holds
the raised leg, while the left hand raised upward in line with the other hand.

8. Skills in Kneeling Arch Back

Kneeling knees together stride, bend backward to arch back. One arm forward,

the other arm overhead closes the ear.

9. Half-Kneeling Arch Back

Half-kneeling right/left, bend trunk backward to arch back. Arms in any position.

10. Half- Kneeling One Leg Extended

Kneeling on right, left leg extended sideward; bed trunk sideward left. Arms in

any position.

11. Knee Scale

 Kneel on right knee, place the hands in front on the floor; lift the left leg in rear
as high as possible. The trunk arch, head held up.

12. V-Seat with Arm Support

Sit on buttocks, hands placed on the floor at the back. Raise both legs upward to
form a “V” with the body. Arms straight and held up.

13. Straddle Lean

Legs in wide stride position; bend trunk forward so that the chest touches the
floor; Arms touch the feet.

Aerial Skills Position

1. Arch Jump
Start from a half knee bend, arms at the back. Jump high to arch back, swing
arms forward up.
2. Crouch Jump
From a half-knee bend, arms over-head; jump high to tuck position; arms
swing from up down to rear.
3. Eagle Jump
From a half knee bend; arms in rear; jump to stride in air arms oblique
upward; trunk slightly arch.
4. Arabesque Jump
 Step right foot sideward to lunge position, immediately jump upward in
arabesque position.
5. Split Leap
Step in right foot and split position; land on the left foot. Arms: Any position.
6. Hops
Step on right foot and hop high with the front leg raise in front leg raise in
front knee bent, land on the same foot. Arms: Any positions.
7. Walks
Tip-toe walk is to walk on toes, the steps are small.
8. Tip-toe-Turn
Rise on toes; arms upward, turn right or left on toes,, arms overhead.
9. 3 Steps Turn
Step right foot sideward, arms sideward, turn right about, step left foot
sideward arms overhead. Turn right about, step right sideward, arms
sideward then feet together.
10. Lunge Turn
From a forward lunge, rise on toes and turnabout to a lunge of facing the
opposite direction.