Skill: Back handspring drill on Bolster Family

Skill: Back handspring
drill on Bolster
Family:
Back Handspring
Rationale: to develop confidence moving backward, to
learn correct body positions
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Chart number: 4 -17a
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fD
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SKILL: Back Handspring Drill on Bolster
STEPI
Start in a basic stand - bend legs and
lean bottom against spool.
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Lean back into an arch, arms overhead
(reaching toward floor) and lay on
the spool.
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The teacher should roll the bolster
until the child's hands touch the
floor (palms support weight)
8)
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Instructions
1. The children need to use a bolster,
hexagonal mat or spool that is the
appropriate size for their body. It
should be at least as high as their
bottom. But then, because of the
height of the hex mat, the children
can not do this drill by themselves.
They must always have an adult
SPOT.
2. Emphasize that they must keep
their arms straight. (to distinguish this skill from the back
rollover)
3. You may wish to correct their hand
positions. lIike their fingers pointing slightly towards each other
when they contact the mat but opi nions vary. -ROW
II Theme
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TeachinzHints
Only then may they tuck or pike the
body to bring the feet to the floor.
Finish in a basic stand.
and Variations:
Safe
1. Some kids won't be able to
keep their arms straight,
so SPOT by keeping one
hand on the bolster or
spool so it doesn't roll and
putting the other hand on
their chest and holding
their back against the
spool while they flip their
legs over.
NOTE:Donot underestimate
the potential for neck injury in this skill; he vigilant in spotting
2.
Do not let the children
SPOT each other - or attempt this skill by themselves. See#1 above
3. The most important part
of the SPOT is to make
sure they don't tuck their
head, slide off the spool
and land in a heap, hurting
their neck