Locomotor Skills

Locomotor Skills Galloping a. Definition: Moving forward in uneven rhythm, with same foot leading b. Analysis: 1. Slide one foot forward, close with other foot 2. Continue with same foot always leading Hopping a. Definition: springing upward on one foot b. Analysis: 1. Spring lightly upward, taking off with ankle extension and landing lightly on the ball of the boot 2. Knees and arms are relaxed

Standing jump a. Definition: Spring from the ground, taking off with one or both feet, and landing on both feet b. Analysis: 1. The knees and hip joints are flexed and the arms swing backward 2. Swing both arms forward and upward as the knees and ankles extend 3. Land lightly on two feet, bending the knees and ankles to cushion the shock of landing Running a. Definition: Moving at a rapid pace with springing steps so that, for an instant during each step, both feet are off the ground. b. Analysis: 1. The chest is up and the body is bent slightly 2. The toes and the ball of the foot make light contact with running surface for an easy, relaxed run 3. The arms are kept close to the body. They swing forcibly with the elbows constantly bent. The feet are parallel and the knees move in the line of direction Skipping a. Definition: Bouncing lightly with alternate steps and hops b. Analysis: 1. The skip is a step hop, with the step being the long count and the hop a short count 2. Spring from the topes and land on the ball of the foot

3. Knees and arms are relaxed

Sliding a. Definition: Moving in a sideward direction with same foot always leading b. Analysis: 1. A long step is taken to the side on one foot, bringing the second foot up to the first one 2. Spring lightly from the toe and land on the ball of the foot

Dodging a. Definition: Moving quickly to evade or mislead an opponent, or to avoid being hit by the ball or other object b. Analysis: 1. The body bends slightly forward, with bent knees and the weight evenly divided on both feet 2. Move by shifting weight from one side to the other, by a jumping motion, by a change of pace, or by faking in one direction and going in another. 3. Keep eyes on target

Walking a. Definition: Moving one foot at a time, at a moderate pace, lifting one foot only after the other has touched the ground b. Analysis: 1. The weight comes down on the center of the heel first and transfers, in a rocking motion, to the toes of the foot 2. Push off strongly until the tips of the toes point toward the floor. As the push-off is made from the rear leg, the knee should bend 3. Swing the leg freely from the hip with the ankle relaxed so that the toes point down toward the floor as the leg comes forward 4. Just before the foot comes in contact with the floor, the heel is lowered and the knee is straightened. 5. When the shoulders are relaxed, the arms will swing freely and naturally 6. Keep the feet parallel and close together

Non-Locomotor Skills 1. Standing (posture) a. Definition: Assuming an upright position with the weight supported on the feet c. Analysis 1. Stand tall 2. Standing position should be erect but not stiff 3. When standing with the weight on one or the other foot, the body weight should be centered over both feet 4. Knees should be straight but relaxed and not in a locked position

2. Twisting and turning a. Definition: 1.Twisting is a rotation of the body or any part of the body while maintaining a stable base of support 2.Turning is a partial or total rotation of the body and a shifting of the base of support b. Teaching Suggestions: 1. Maintain balance while twisting parts of the body 2. Encourage performance of full turn of body 3. Turning body a quarter, half or full turn to right, then to the left 4. Turning body to music 5. Turning to pantomime movements, e.g., tops, doors, washing machine, etc. 6. Let children experiment with all parts of the body to see how many different parts of the body as well as the number of combinations they can twist 7. Twist to pantomime movements, e.g., trees and wind

3. Swinging and Swaying

a. Definition 1. Swinging is a pendular movement with the axis of support above the moving parts 2. Swaying is the same type of movement with the support below the moving parts b. Teaching suggestions 1. Increase flexibility to ensure swing or sway through the full range of movement 2. Encourage graceful and continuous movements 3. Swing arms forward and backward and side to side 4. Sway arms overhead in frontward, backward and sideward directions 5. Repeat (1) with legs

6. Swing or sway various parts of body in pantomime. Example: Sway like a tree, windshield wiper, etc. Change tempo with each pantomime movement

4. Bending and stretching a. Definition: Bending is a flexing any or all parts of the body, whereas stretching is extending the same. Both movements may be done in a relaxed or vigorous fashion and with even or uneven rhythm. b. Teaching suggestions: 1. Encourage pupils to bend or stretch to full range of movement 2. Bend and stretch different parts of body; e.g., arms, legs, trunk 3. Imitate things that bend or stretch; e.g., tree, snake, dog, etc. 4. Assume different sitting or lying positions and explore different bending and stretching movements 5. Bend one part of body (arms) while stretching the other (legs).