Observing Fundamental Movement Skills

Observing Fundamental Movement Skills

The following activity reinforces the development of fundamental movement skills in a fun and non-threatening way for both staff and students. This activity is an opportunity for staff and students to observe and identify errors in performance.

Equipment

·  9 envelopes

·  2 Tennis Balls

·  4 Bean bags

·  2 Large Soft Balls (Soccer Ball Size)

Procedure

·  This activity can be completed in or outside

·  Print the following skill errors, cut them separately and place in individual envelopes marked with the corresponding skill

·  Print the Fundamental Movement Skills posters and place around the allocated space.

·  Form groups (at least 2 people per group)

·  At each station, the group should attempt the skill correctly, and then take a scenario from the envelope, which they perform

·  The remaining members of the group observe and identify the error in each performance

·  Each member of the group takes turns in attempting the skill errors

·  Keep rotating groups until the allocated time is complete.

Static Balance

1. Whilst you balance, look down at the ground and this will cause you to become unbalanced.

Static Balance

2. Hook your non-support leg behind your support leg.

Static Balance

3. Rock on your support foot so it looks like you are unbalanced.

Static Balance

4. Lean sideways or forward to assist your balance.

Vertical Jump

1. When you jump keep looking downward. As you land take several steps to regain your balance.

Vertical Jump

2. Keep your arms by your side.

Vertical Jump

3. Tuck your legs up during propulsion.

Vertical Jump

4. As you jump, overemphasis the use of your arms. This will cause you to lean backwards whilst in the air, resulting in having to take several steps to control your landing.

Catch

1. Turn your head away just before you catch the object. This will result in you missing the ball and using your body to trap the object.

Catch

2. Keep your feet planted in the one spot – don’t move your feet towards the object.

Catch

3. Use other parts of your body (e.g chest) to catch the object.

Catch

4. Keep your arms extended as you catch the object (don’t bend your elbows). Try to keep your feet planted as you do this.

Catch

5. Catch the object with your wrists together (crocodile jaws technique).

Hop

1. Land flatfooted or heel first.

Hop

2. Only maintain your balance for a period of one or two hops. This will cause you to go…..hop - hop --- step - hop.

Hop

3. Look down at your feet or the ground when you hop.

Hop

4. Don’t move your arms in time with each other or with the support leg. (this may be difficult to demonstrate, so try your best).

Side gallop

1. Trailing leg maintaining contact with the ground and “dragged” to the lead leg.

Side gallop

2. Cross your feet over during movement (e.g grapevine step).

Side gallop

3. Perform the movement proficiently in one direction but on the way back twist your body so that your hips rotate facing the direction of travel.

Side gallop

4. Switch your eyes between looking at your feet and looking straight ahead – this will cause you to be leaning too far forward.

Skip

1. Skip with little or no arm movements.

Skip

2. Swing your arms together rather than in opposition to your legs.

Skip

3. Keep one of your arms by your side, at the same, swing the other enthusiastically.

Skip

4. Instead of a rhythmical step-hop, try a different sequence e.g step – hop – hop – step – hop – hop – step ….

Overarm throw

1. Stand facing the target area (front on) and throw without a follow-through.

Overarm throw

2. Stand and throw with your throwing shoulder closet to the target area (like throwing a dart).

Overarm throw

3. Take the throwing arm straight back instead of in a down and back arc.

Overarm throw

4. Point your throwing arm towards the target area after the throw, rather than following through, down and across the body.

Kick

1. Place your non-kicking foot behind the ball (i.e. not directly next to it).

Kick

2. Make contact with the ball with your toe rather than your instep.

Kick

3. Poke or push the ball rather than kicking through it (i.e. no follow through).

Kick

4. Keep your arms beside your body throughout the kick.

Kick

5. Run straight up to the ball, rather than on a 45-degree angle.