Gymnastics Progressions/Ideas

As students get older they want to see a much quicker progression. Many
schools teach gymnastics without ever actually teaching an element. The
elements in gymnastics are what keep the students motivated to improve
and learn. The fundamentals are body tension and presentation however
students need elements to add these fundamental qualities to. When we
talk about elements we mean individual gymnastics moved which are
later linked in a sequence; rolls, handstands, cartwheels, vault etc.
Always where possible provide a demonstration for the group to visualise
what they are trying to achieve.
I start every gymnastics lesson with a gymnastic specific warm-up which
looks at flexibility I then try to revisit this in the cool down or do some
strength based exercises.
First lesson should focus on posture, presentation and body tension then
you can introduce some basic shapes arch, dish, front support, back
support, straddle sit. You can then introduce the jumps on the floor,
different balances- arabesque, Y-balance or normal 1 foot balances boys
particularly love the challenge of the frog balance! Girls like the challenge
of the bridge.
Rolls
The first rolls I tend to teach are the ones that everyone can perform with
minimal support dish and arch roll, side roll to kneeling and circle/teddy
bear roll. They can then try the teddy bear roll back to back with a partner.
Rolls (forwards and backwards)
1 Get pupils to sit on the floor and rock backwards and forwards holding
their knees until they can get back to sitting position without falling to the
side.
2 Then get them to do this again but this time rock to standing position
without using their hands to stand up (feet must be together NOT
crossed) emphasise presentation right from the beginning so it becomes
habit when they stand they stretch.
3 Teach them the roll broken down stretch up, crouch down (no knees
or bottoms on the floor) forward roll hands down, head tucked under,
bottom up, push off both feet at the same time, stand without using hands

and stretch to finish. Backward roll Rock back onto bottom, hands go
on the floor next to ears, feet over the top, stand and stretch.
Making it easier rolling down an incline, using a beanbag under chin to
help tuck head in, beanbag between the knees to help keep knees
together.
Support support students hips in a backward roll this way you can lift
slightly to take any pressure off their neck. Forward roll support hips or
help tucking head under if they are struggling stand let them reach for
your hands to pull themselves up.
Further Progression- forward roll to straddle sit, forward/backward roll
to straddle, dive forward roll, backward roll to front support, backward roll
to handstand. Tank rolls with a partner (all students love this)

Handstand
1 Start with both arms up big lunge forward hands down little hop
(checking students ability to support their own weight and making sure
they have flat hands on the floor)
2 Same again but during the little hop they try to tap their feet together.
3 This time they can try a full handstand (give support where necessary)
Main teaching points big lunge, hands flat, squeeze feet together, look
forward not down to the floor so that the back is straight, come back down
the same way do NOT flip over.
Further progression Handstand forward roll, straddle up to handstand,
handstand bridge, handstand pirouette, forward walkover.

Cartwheels
Always teach handstands first there is a handstand in the middle of a
cartwheel, therefore if your students are really struggling with supporting
their own weight they will not succeed at cartwheels.
1 Bunny hops over a bench- 2 feet together hips high- arms straight
2 Bunny hops over a bench legs separate
3

Hands in the circles students will either stand at A or1 depending on which
way they cartwheel encourage them to try both.
Students perform a handstand but whilst in the air they change legs and
land on the opposite line e.g. start on A land on 1
Once they have landed successfully 5 times they can progress on to B and
then C.
Support students hips where necessary.
Students can then practice on mats working down a straight line.
Encourage students to try cartwheeling both ways.
Further Progression 1 handed, back to front, dive, round - off

Vault
1 Bunny Hops Emphasise on the hands then feet motion
2 Take off/spring board technique mats on the floor as a take-off point
if you dont have a spring board students run ad take off with 2 feet take
off together before the mat. If you do have a spring board students place
1 foot at the bottom of the board or before the board if they are tall
enough and then 2 feet at the top of the board stretch jump in the air
and bend knees on landing stretch.
3 Go through this several times so they can practice all the jumps which
they can use later to jump off the vault Stretch, Star, tuck, half turn, full
turn, straddle and pike.
4 Low vault squat on-hands on knees between hands stand jump off,
stretch
5 - Squat on feet on between hands- tell students to get their knees up
to their chests many will try to climb the side of the vault.

6 Increase the height of the vault- repeat above.

7 - Squat through pupils legs go through their hands and land on the
other side of the vault on the mat.
Further Progressions Straddle on, straddle over, handspring
Vault lengthways Squat on walk on tip toes jump off, squat on forward
roll off, forward roll on, squat on straddle off, straddle over.

Sequences
Once pupils have learnt some elements give them time to begin to put
together a sequence. Give them a criterion of what to include, for example

A starting and finishing position

1 roll
2 balances
1 leap (cat leap, scissor kick, stag leap)
2 jumps
And some linking movements

To progress pupils can make routines up in 2s or 3s. Group sizes can be

organised to suit the division of mats.
If mats are limited split the class in 2 half the class can practice vault
which you can supervise whilst the other half can make up sequences.
Which you can oversee whilst supporting students on vault. The 2 groups
can then swap over.

Acro Gymnastics
Acro gymnastics is basically pairs or group gymnastics it focuses largely
on balances and can start at a very basic level. Students love working in
groups and exploring various balances. I tend to put some task cards
together and traffic light them green means easy balances for all to try,

amber may need help, Red please ask for help before trying. It is a
good way to differentiate for age groups and abilities. As above you can
then provide a criterion for a sequence. i.e. 3 balances, 2 unison (in time
together) rolls, 1 jump, one individual balance and 2 elements of choice
i.e. handstand, cartwheel, round-off.

Health and safety

As with any sport you will get injuries many schools do not teach
gymnastics purely through fear of injury! As we all know children can pick
up injuries whilst walking to the sports field so it is not a viable excuse.
Just ensure you break down skills, support confidently where necessary,
provide adequate matting and highlight safety factors.
Once the children have a good foundation of knowledge and ability in
gymnastics the are endless opportunities to transfer these skills into other
sports: synchronised swimming, cheerleading (stunt not pom pom),
parkour, dance. As well as it aiding other more traditional sports through
increasing flexibility, body tension, body awareness, posture and
plyometrics.