Pivot

This is a decision-making skill relating to when and where and how to move into space to strike an object successfully. Tracking is monitoring the environment picking up cues to inform action.

1. Watch/track the play or object
2. D...

This is a decision-making skill relating to when and where and how to move into space to receive an object successfully. Tracking is monitoring the environment picking up cues to inform action.

1. Watch/track the play or object
2. ...

Striking involves making contact with a stationary or moving object with the aim of propelling that object towards a desired target or area. Striking requires good hand–eye co-ordination to track an incoming object and strike in one action. A st...

Trapping is the term used to bring a moving object under control, so that it can then be further manipulated. Successful trapping will require good timing, good hand–eye or foot–eye co-ordination and control. The ability to trap with feet is p...

Dribbling is bouncing the ball and moving at the same time. Dribbling requires good hand–eye coordination. It is important in basketball, handball, playground games and rhythmic gymnastics.

1. The knees are bent, and legs shoulder-widt...

Dribbling is controlling a ball using the feet. It requires good foot–eye coordination. Feet perform a series of small kicks and drags to keep the ball travelling along the ground. It is important in rugby and football.

1. Dribble the ...

The overarm throw is a strong, direct throw that generates power from transferring weight in a rocking action. The skill is used in many major games, e.g. cricket, baseball, rounders, basketball and American football. The movement pattern is also ...

Bouncing is pushing the ball towards the ground with sufficient force to allow the ball to bounce back up to hand/hands at a level just below the hip. Bouncing is typically performed in a stationary position. It is important for playground games, ...

A two-handed throw is used to propel a ball towards a target or another child for them to catch. Fingers are spread behind the ball and wrists and elbows are extended forwards as the ball is released.

1. Stand facing the direction of the...

Kicking involves imparting force to an object with a foot. It requires good foot–eye coordination. An object can be moving or stationary. Kicking is used in football and rugby.

1. Stand slightly to the side and behind the ball.

Catching is receiving an object with hands. It involves the child visually tracking the object in flight and moving into a position to collect the object safely without dropping it. Catching is important in many major games, e.g. cricket, baseball...

An underarm throw is used to propel an object over a short distance accurately. It involves the transference of weight forwards as the straight-throwing arm swings through from the back to the front to release the object at hip height.

Underarm rolling is when an object is propelled forwards along the ground.

1. Stand facing forward
2. Hold the object lightly in fingers
3. Swing rolling arm backwards until straight and at shoulder height
4. Step forwa...

Being aware of a range of cues and being prepared to react as quickly as possible to those cues.

1. Adopt the ‘ready position’ in front of partner approximately an arm’s distance away
2. Partner rolls ball between legs
<...

The ‘Ready Position’ is a stance used to react as quickly as possible from. It can be used from stationary or from moving.

1. Stand feet together
2. Jump feet to just over shoulder width apart
3. Emphasise sideways split ...

The ‘Back Support’ is a Foundation Position that is important for developing upper body and arm strength, flexibility as well as core stability.

1. Sit on the floor in the ‘Pike’ position
2. Hands flat by sides and slightly...

The ‘Front Support’ is a Foundation Position that is important for developing upper body and arm strength as well as core stability.

1. Perform ‘Angry Cat’ position
2. Move one leg straight backwards with toes turned under<...

The ‘Arch Shape’ is a Foundation Shape that is important for developing upper body and arm strength, flexibility as well as core stability.

1. Lie on tummy
2. Lift legs and feet off the floor
3. Lift shoulders off floor a...

The ‘Dish Shape’ is important to developing core stability.

• Lie on back
• ‘Trap the Mouse’
• Stretch legs and feet off the floor
• Lift shoulders and arms off the floor
• Hold balance for 3–5 seco...

‘Trap the Mouse’ is the position required to develop core stability.

1. Lie on back
2. Stretch arms above head
3. Keep arms and legs touching the floor
4. Squeeze tummy down
5. Make ‘Angry Cat’ sho...

‘Tuck Shape’ is important to rolling, somersaulting and developing core stability.

1. ‘Angry Cat’ back
2. Hands on knees
3. Knees bent tightly into chest
4. Hold balance for 3–5 seconds

Dodging is a quick transference of weight from one foot to the other. It is used to deceive or flee from an opponent or evade an obstacle. It is important in invasion games.

1. Plant one foot and push off this foot quickly to change dire...

The lunge is a Body Management Skill that requires balance, lower body strength and co-ordination. It involves a large step forwards or sideways, usually to control momentum.

1. Start with the feet together, hands by the side and eyes lo...

Pulling requires good balance, grip, good upper body strength and a strong, firm base. An object is usually pulled to move the object from one place to another.

1. Having a good firm grip
2. Stand sideways-on with feet just over a ...

Definition of activities: breathing is a crucial area of swimming, so learning to breathe out in the water will help a child feel at ease. These activities will encourage children to take a breath in before their face makes contact with the water....

Definition of activities: promoting safe entry into water, with different entry methods for different types of pools and different levels of confidence. Exits from the water must also be controlled and safe.

1. Ladder step entry

Definition of activities: guidelines for practitioner and children to ensure safe practice in and out of the pool.

1. Walk to poolside quietly and sit at the wall
2. Use the shower before entry
3. Listen to safety instruction...

A log roll is a full rotation of the body from head to foot. The roll involves a straight body lying on the floor with legs fully stretched and arms extended above the head. It is important in trampolining, diving and gymnastics.

1. Lie ...

Objects are usually pushed with the aim of moving that object from one place to another. Pushing can involve the upper or lower body. The upper body can be used to push a trolley or pram; the lower body can be used to push or ride a scooter or bik...

Climbing is achieved by alternately gripping with and pulling on arms and pushing with legs. Efficient climbing allows children to explore their surroundings and satisfy their inquisitive nature.

1. Reach the right hand up and grip the b...

A static balance held with one foot flat on the floor using arms to achieve stillness. It is important to be able to achieve this balance for dressing, hopping, skipping, kicking and dodging.

1. Supporting foot flat on the ground and sti...

‘Angry Cat’ is a Body Schooling Activity that develops a correct body posture for safe rolling. It also develops shoulder strength and flexibility which is important for gymnastic skills such as handstands and cartwheels.

1. Start on...

A star shape is a Foundation Shape which involves the body being fully extended with legs and arms as wide as possible. The shape can be made lying down, standing up, in a jump or wheeled in a cartwheel.

1. Lie on back or stand up on two...

A straight shape is a Foundation Shape which involves the body being aligned as straight as possible. The shape can be made lying down, standing up, in a jump or inverted in a handstand. A straight shape is integral to many other sporting skills s...

Body awareness is a child’s ability to recognise, use and name various body parts on command in four postural positions: standing, kneeling, sitting and lying. The child will be able to control a specific body part, performing a specific action,...

‘Fast Feet’ skills are required to change direction quickly.

1. Get into the ‘Ready Position’, with weight slightly on balls of feet
2. Keeping knees bent and hips low, transfer weight forwards, backwards and sideways, by s...

The ‘Crossover Step’ is used to change direction quickly

1. Get into the ‘Ready Position’, with weight slightly on balls of feet
2. Keeping knees bent and hips low, transfer weight sideways, out over left foot
3. Step...

The ‘side-step’ is a rhythmical lateral movement, transferring weight from one foot to the other. Side-stepping is fast action covering the ground as quickly as possible.

1. Start in the ‘Ready Position’ slightly on balls of feet...

The skip is a rhythmical movement involving a step-hop on one leg, then transferring weight to other foot to repeat the pattern. Children often skip spontaneously in response to music, strong rhythms/beats or to express happiness. It is included i...

Leaping is a large step taking off from one foot and landing on the other. The skill can be a single movement, as in leaping over an object, or used continuously. It is important for athletics, some traditional dances and some major games.

The jump for distance is commonly known as the standing broad jump which is a horizontal movement. Take off and land on two feet.

1. Feet start together
2. Head up and eyes looking forward
3. Bend knees into the ‘Frog Hoppi...

Hopping is a continuous skill that involves taking off and landing on the same foot. Hopping may occur on the spot or travelling. Hopping is an important feature in basketball lay up and the triple jump.

1. Lift one leg, bending knee

Running is similar to walking extremely fast except at times both feet are off the ground. The arms drive forwards and backwards in opposition to the legs. Together with athletics, most major games involve running.

1. Run along a narrow ...

Jumping and landing (Frog Hopping) involves taking off on one or two feet and landing on two, with feet, ankles, knees and hips absorbing the force. Vertical height is achieved by bending at the knees and swinging both arms forwards and upwards ab...

‘Foxes’ is a travelling action on hands and feet, with hands and feet working in opposition. The bottom is kept low with an ‘Angry Cat’ back.

1. Hands flat on the floor/surface
2. Support bodyweight on hands and feet with �...

Walking is the most fundamental travelling action and as such forms the basis of many other locomotor actions.

1. Stand with feet together, facing forwards
2. Stand up straight and ‘Trap the Mouse’
3. Keep the head up and...

‘Crawling Soldiers’ is a Body Schooling Activity that involves crawling on the tummy with arms and legs working in opposition – the arms should be pulling and the legs pushing.

1. Lie on tummy
2. Crawl o...

Galloping is a continuous locomotor movement performed in a forwards or sideways direction. It uses an asymmetrical gait with the same foot leading on each step. Galloping features in various playground games and some traditional dances.

...

Crawling is a basic locomotor movement that involves the arms and legs working in opposition along a narrow path. Bodyweight is supported on hands and knees with the child assuming an ‘Angry Cat’ position. The skill can involve crawling along,...