Gymnastics for children by Kelly Thompson
Balance Beam Half Turn Progression
Stage 1: Walking forward, following a straight line using proper form
- Emphasizing the use of proper form including: spotting (picking a spot in your line of vision to remain balance), keep chin up, keep arms out, shoulders back, heel to toe when walking
- Laban movement concepts used in this progression
- Spatial (keeping in mind personal and general space, levels)
- Effort (flow – slow and stoppable movements)
- Body (locomotor – walking)
Stage 2: Walking in a straight line on the beam
- Balanced walk heel to toe in a straight line on the beam
- Laban movement concepts
- Spatial (levels, increasing difficulty)
- Effort (flow – slow and stoppable progresses to fast and ongoing)
- Body (locomotor- walking)
- Relationship (object being the beam)
Stage 3: Walking forward, and pivoting to perform half turn on the line
- When turning keep in mind you’re still doing heel to toe, pivot on the ball of your foot.
- Maintain proper form: spotting (picking a spot in your line of vision to remain balance), keep chin up, keep arms out, shoulders back, heel to toe when walking
- Laban movement concepts:
- Effort: weight (being light and moving on the balls of your feet) and flow (movement is ongoing)
Stage 4: Perform half turn on the balance beam
- Continue using proper form
- Laban movement concepts:
- Spatial (levels – increasing difficulty)
- Effort (flow – slow and stoppable progresses to fast and ongoing) and weight (being light and moving on the balls of your feet)
- Relationship (object being the beam)