Landing Ninja Slides Landing Ninja
Acrobat Academy Training: Phase 1
The Ninja Challenge
"Can you land silently like a ninja dropping from a roof?"
Quiet Feet
Loud landings hurt our joints!
Super Sturdy
Balance is our superpower.
The Motorcycle Landing
1
Glue Your Feet
Shoulder-width apart for a strong base.
2
Squat Low
Bend your knees like shock absorbers.
3
Vroom Vroom!
Arms reach forward like you're holding handlebars.
Absorb the Impact!
The Safety 3
Eyes Forward
Look at the horizon, not your toes!
Chest Up
Proud heart! Don't let your chest drop.
Flat Feet
No tippy-toes. Heel and toe on the floor.
Mission Briefing
1. Stand on the edge of the mat.
2. Small jump forward into space.
3. Freeze in your Motorcycle Landing!
4. Hold for 3 seconds: 1... 2... 3!
Can you hold it like a statue?
Landing Ninja Teacher Guide Landing Ninja
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson 1 of 5
45 MIN
Learning Objective
Students will be able to demonstrate a safe landing technique (Motorcycle Landing) from a small height, focusing on knee absorption, chest positioning, and balanced weight distribution.
Key Vocabulary
• Impact Absorption
• Center of Gravity
• Base of Support
• Momentum
Training Zone Setup
Required Materials
Gymnastics mats (individual or runners)
Low platforms (optional, e.g., low benches)
"Ninja Training" slide deck
Peer observation checklists
Safety Check
Ensure all mats are touching without gaps. Check for "jewelry" and loose clothing. Students must be barefoot or in gymnastics shoes.
Lesson Flow
10m
Warm Up
The Silent Ninja Game
Students move around the mats in different ways (hop, skip, crawl). On the whistle, they must "freeze" in a ninja pose as quietly as possible. Discuss: "How did you stay quiet?" (Bent knees).
10m
Teach
The Motorcycle Landing Mechanics
Use the slide deck to introduce the "Vroom Vroom" landing. Model the 3 cues: Glue Feet , Squat Low , Handlebars Out .
Teacher Tip: Watch for "Heel Strikes." Encourage students to land on their mid-foot to avoid jarring the skeleton.
15m
Practice
The Landing Strip
Students line up and perform a two-foot jump from the floor, landing in a "Motorcycle Pose."
Progression: Jump from a low bench (if available).Challenge: Add a 90-degree turn in the air before landing.
10m
Cool Down
The Impact Debrief
Gather in a circle. "If we were falling from a tree, why would we want to land like a motorcycle instead of a straight stick?" Discuss joint protection.
Shape Shifter Slides Shape Shifters
Acrobat Academy: Training Phase 2
Human Geometry
"We are going to turn our bodies into geometric shapes. How small can you make yourself? How wide?"
Tuck
Pike
Straddle
Straight
1. The Tuck
Knees to Chest
Hug Your Legs
Small as a Pebble
"Imagine you are a ball ready to roll!"
2. The Pike
• Legs Straight Out
• Toes Pointed
• Hands reach for toes
"Like a closed book!"
3. The Straddle
• Legs Wide Apart
• Legs are 100% Straight
• Hands in the middle
"Make a giant V shape!"
4. The Straight Body
Stretch from fingers to toes! Squeeze your muscles tight like a statue.
ARMS BY EARS
SQUEEZE TUMMY
Shape Snap!
When I call it, can you "snap" into the shape?
Tuck!
Pike!
Straddle!
Shape Detective Worksheet Shape Detective
Acrobat Academy Mission Log
NAME:
DATE:
Mission 1: Identify the Shapes
Draw a line from the name of the shape to the correct human statue!
TUCK
PIKE
STRADDLE
STRAIGHT
Legs wide apart in a giant V shape!
Knees hugged tight to the chest.
Stretched long from fingers to toes.
Legs straight together like a book.
Mission 2: Your Favorite Shape
Which shape is your favorite to hold? Draw yourself as a "Human Statue" below!
REMEMBER: Keep your muscles squeezed tight for a sturdy statue!
Shape Shifter Teacher Guide Shape Shifters
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson 2 of 5
45 MIN
Learning Objective
Students will be able to perform four fundamental gymnastic shapes (Tuck, Pike, Straddle, and Straight Body) with correct form, holding each position with muscular tension for at least 3 seconds.
Key Vocabulary
• Static Shape
• Muscular Tension
• Extension
• Pointed Toes
Training Zone Setup
Required Materials
Individual mats (1 per student)
"Shape Shifter" slide deck
"Shape Detective" worksheets & pencils
Teaching Tip
Use a "Snap" sound (or whistle) to signal students to transition into shapes. Emphasize "sharpness" over speed initially.
Lesson Flow
10m
Warm Up
Gymnastics Simon Says
Play a traditional game of Simon Says using non-gymnastic movements (touch toes, reach high). Gradually introduce the phrase "Gymnastics Simon says... Tuck Shape!" to gauge prior knowledge.
10m
Teach
Shape Workshop
Use the slide deck to introduce the 4 shapes.Straight: "Hands glued to ears, feet like a pencil."Tuck: "Small like a ball."Pike: "Legs together, straight out."Straddle: "Legs wide like a giant V."
15m
Practice
Shape Snap Stations
Students practice snapping into positions on their mats.
Activity: Call out two shapes. Students must transition from one to the next as fast as possible without losing their "muscular tension" (stiffness).
Observation Look-Fors: Are legs fully straight in Pike/Straddle? Is the chin tucked in the Tuck shape?
10m
Cool Down
Shape Detective Check
Distribute worksheets. Students identify shapes on paper to reinforce the visual recognition of what they just performed physically.
Side to Side Slides Side-to-Side Spin
Acrobat Academy: Training Phase 3
Rolling Objects
"If you were a pencil rolling off a desk, would you bend or stay straight? Let's try rolling both ways!"
The Log
Long and stiff!
The Egg
Round and tucked!
The Log Roll
1
Lay flat on your tummy or back.
2
Arms stretched past your ears.
3
Squeeze your legs together tight!
"Stay stiff like a frozen board!"
The Egg Roll
Snap into a Tuck Shape
Hug your shins tight
Chin down to chest
Roll on your side!
The Highway Challenge
"Can you roll from one end of the mat to the other WITHOUT going off the edge?"
If you veer off, you are out of gas!
Keep your core squeezed to stay straight.
Side to Side Teacher Guide Side-to-Side Spin
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson 3 of 5
45 MIN
Learning Objective
Students will demonstrate the ability to rotate horizontally (lateral rotation) across a mat using two distinct techniques: the Log Roll (straight body) and the Egg Roll (tucked body), maintaining a straight path throughout.
Key Vocabulary
• Lateral Rotation
• Body Tension
• Alignment
• Spatial Awareness
Training Zone Setup
Required Materials
Full-length gymnastics mats (runners)
"Side-to-Side Slides" presentation
Floor tape or markers (for "Highway" lanes)
Space Management
Organize mats in parallel lanes. Ensure at least 3 feet of "clear zone" between mat lanes to prevent rolling collisions.
Lesson Flow
10m
Warm Up
The Rolling Pencil
Students lay flat on mats and try to roll like a pencil. Ask: "What happens if the pencil has a bend in the middle?" (It veers off track). Practice rolling with "loose muscles" vs. "tight muscles."
10m
Teach
Log vs. Egg Mechanics
Introduce the Log Roll (maximum length, straight line) and Egg Roll (minimum size, round shape). Model the hand position for Log Rolls: Arms glued to ears, fingers pointed.
Key Cue: "Squeeze your toes together!" If the feet separate during a log roll, the body will lose its straight path.
15m
Practice
The Highway Challenge
Students attempt to roll the full length of a mat runner.
Round 1: Log Rolls only. Stay in the "lane."Round 2: Egg Rolls only. Stay tucked tight.Round 3: Transition! Start as a Log, halfway through snap into an Egg, then finish as a Log.
10m
Cool Down
Spatial Reflection
Ask students: "Which roll was easier to keep in a straight line? Why?" Discuss how body tension acts like a steering wheel for our rolls.
Gravity Slide Slides Gravity Slide
Acrobat Academy: Training Phase 4
Going Upside Down
"Let's use a gravity slide to help us turn our world upside down safely."
Wedge Mat
Rotation
The Golden Rule
Protect Your Nest!
CHIN TO CHEST
"Look for your belly button! Your head should NEVER touch the mat during a roll."
Forward Roll Formula
1
Squat
Hands flat, feet together.
2
Tuck
Chin to chest. Look for the tummy!
3
Roll
Push with feet. Land on upper back.
4
Finish
Motorcycle Landing! Ta-da!
Safety Check!
Hands flat on the mat?
Chin hiding in your chest?
Tucked like a little ball?
Gravity Slide Teacher Guide Gravity Slide
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson 4 of 5
45 MIN
Learning Objective
Students will execute a controlled forward roll on an incline mat, demonstrating critical safety mechanics: Chin-to-Chest (neck protection), Hand-to-Upper-Back weight transfer, and a Motorcycle Landing finish.
Key Vocabulary
• Incline (Wedge)
• Cervical Protection
• Center of Mass
• Momentum
Training Zone Setup
Required Materials
Wedge (Incline) mats (at least 2-4 stations)
Landing mats (positioned at the base of wedges)
"Gravity Slide" presentation
Spotting Protocol
CRITICAL: The teacher must spot every student's first attempt. Hands should be placed on the back of the student's neck/head to ensure the chin stays tucked.
Lesson Flow
10m
Warm Up
The Rocking Egg
Students sit in a Tuck shape and rock back and forth on their spine without letting their head touch or their feet come apart. Ask: "Can you see your belly button the whole time?"
10m
Teach
The Incline Advantage
Explain how the incline mat helps "pull" us forward so we don't have to push too hard yet. Model the "Hand Triangle" (hands flat, triangle shape with shoulders) and the tuck.
Safety Cue: "Your head is like a secret treasure—don't let the mat touch it!"
15m
Practice
The Gravity Slide Stations
Students rotate through wedge mat stations.
1. The Tuck-Check: Squat at the top, look for the belly button.The Roll: Assisted rotation by the teacher.The Stick: Finish in Motorcycle Landing at the bottom.
10m
Cool Down
Spotting Discussion
"Why did I put my hand on your neck?" Discuss the importance of the tuck. "What felt different about rolling on a hill versus rolling on the flat mat sideways?"
Floor Roll Mastery Slides Floor Roll Mastery
Acrobat Academy: Training Phase 5
Power Up
"Now that you've practiced on the hill, can you use your leg power to roll on flat ground?"
Self-Generated
Momentum
The Secret Ingredient
The Push
Use your toes to push your hips over your head.
The Tight Ball
Stay tucked! If you un-tuck, you'll stop moving.
Speed = Smooth
Faster rotation makes it easier to stand up!
The Finishing Pose
1. Re-Grab
Let go of your shins and reach forward as you come out of the roll.
2. Stand
Use your momentum to pull yourself onto your feet. No hands on mat!
3. Present
Arms up, chest out, big smile. You did it!
The Final Mission
✅ Perfect Squat Start
✅ Chin Tucked (Head Safe)
✅ Smooth Floor Rotation
✅ Stand Up WITHOUT Hands
✅ Rock Solid Finishing Pose
Graduation Day is Here!
Floor Roll Mastery Teacher Guide Floor Roll Mastery
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson 5 of 5
45 MIN
Learning Objective
Students will synthesize all previously learned skills to perform a complete forward roll on a flat mat. Mastery includes: initiating from a squat, protecting the neck via a chin tuck, generating momentum, and finishing in a balanced pose without using hands for assistance.
Key Vocabulary
• Synthesis
• Self-Propulsion
• Performance Quality
• Sequence
Training Zone Setup
Required Materials
Large floor mats (standard gymnastics mats)
"Floor Roll Mastery" slide deck
Graduation Checklists/Certificates
Transition Note
Removing the incline mat (wedge) removes the "gravitational assist." Students will need more "push" from their legs. Be prepared to provide light assistance for students struggling with momentum.
Lesson Flow
10m
Warm Up
Momentum Builders
Practice "Rocking to Stand." Students sit in a tuck on the mat, rock back to their shoulders (no head contact!), and use a powerful forward rock to stand up without using their hands on the floor. Repeat 10 times.
10m
Teach
Flat Mat Mechanics
Use the slide deck to explain the "Momentum Secret." On flat ground, the initial push from the toes is everything. Model the full sequence: Start Squat -> Tuck -> Push -> Roll -> Reach -> Finish Pose.
Mastery Tip: If a student gets "stuck" on their back, they likely aren't tucking tight enough or pushing hard enough with their feet.
15m
Practice
The Graduation Trials
Students practice the full sequence.
Self-Check: "Did my head touch?" "Did I use my hands to stand up?"Peer Feedback: Students observe a partner and give one "Star" (something they did well) and one "Wish" (something to improve).
10m
Cool Down
Graduation Ceremony
Gather students. Hand out "Acrobat Academy" graduation checklists or certificates. Reflect on the essential question: "How did controlling your body shape keep you safe today?"
