Transition Toolkit Teacher Guide Transition Toolkit
Teacher Facilitation Guide | Lesson 1: Connecting Skills
Objective
Equip students with a vocabulary of transitional movements to eliminate "choppiness" between tumbling skills. Focus on the Flow Factor —the ability to connect a standing skill to a floor skill without pausing or readjusting clothes/hair.
The Hook: Choppy vs. Smooth
Show two short clips (or demonstrate yourself). Discuss:
Visual A: Skills performed in isolation. The gymnast does a roll, stands up, fixes their shirt, walks three steps, then does a cartwheel.Visual B: Skills connected. A roll leads directly into a pose, which pivots into a chassé, leading into a cartwheel.Question: "Which felt more like a performance? Why?"
Key Terminology
Flow: The continuous movement from one skill to the next.
Transition: A "bridge" movement (turn, step, pose) between major skills.
Level Change: Moving the center of gravity from high to low or vice-versa.
The Transition Menu
High Level (Standing)
Chassé: A galloping step used to gain momentum or change direction gracefully.Pivot Turn: A half or full turn on the balls of the feet to face a new direction.Scale Pose: A balance on one leg with the other extended (front, side, or back).Step-Pose: Dramatic steps used to travel between skills with intention.
Floor Level (Transitions)
Shoulder Roll: A soft roll over the shoulder to transition from back to belly or kneeling.Prone Stretch: Landing from a roll into a belly-down position with arms extended.Log Roll: A side-to-side roll to move laterally across the mat.Knee Spin: Turning on the knees to reset direction after a floor skill.
Pro-Tips for Success
Watch For:
The "Fidget Factor": Students often stop to fix hair, socks, or clothing. Challenge them to "stay in character" until the routine finish pose.
Differentiation:
Allow students with lower mobility to use simple "arm choreography" (port de bras) to show flow while standing still.
Flow Instructional Slides The Art of Flow
CONNECTING SKILLS IN GYMNASTICS
Lesson 1: Choreography & Routine Composition
Essential Question
How do transitions transform individual skills into a cohesive performance?
The Great Debate
Choppy Execution
Stop-and-start. Skill... pause... adjustment... next skill. Feels like a drill.
Artistic Flow
Seamless. Every movement has a purpose. The "in-between" is as important as the skill.
[Demonstration or Video Clip]
"Watch the spaces between the skills..."
The Flow Formula
Momentum
Using the energy from one move to power the next.
Transitions
The bridges (turns, steps, poses) that link skills.
Focus
Keeping your eyes up and staying "in character."
Standing Transitions
STAYING TALL
Chassé (Shah-say)
A gliding step where one foot "chases" the other. Perfect for building power into a cartwheel or round-off.
Pivot Turn
Stepping forward and turning 180° on the balls of your feet. Instantly resets your direction for the next line.
Scale Pose
Balancing on one leg with the other extended. Shows control and beauty between explosive tumbling moves.
Step-Pose
Intentional, dramatic steps with high knees or pointed toes to travel across the floor.
The Connection Challenge
Try to link these two skills using ONE transition from our menu:
Forward Roll
???
TRANSITION
Cartwheel
Go to your mat and experiment! Can you do it without stopping?
Flow Finder Worksheet Flow Finder
Mastering the Bridge Between Skills
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
1. The Observation
During the "Choppy vs. Smooth" demonstration, what was the biggest difference you noticed in how the gymnast moved? Focus on their feet, their eyes, and their timing.
2. The Connection Lab
Choose two skills you can perform safely. Then, select a transition from the toolkit to bridge them. Record your results below.
Skill A
Transition Bridge
Skill B
Skill A
Transition Bridge
Skill B
3. Flow Self-Check
Perform your favorite "Bridge" from above for a partner. Check the box if you achieved the flow factor:
No Fidgeting:
I didn't stop to fix my clothes or hair during the connection.
Momentum:
I used the finish of the first skill to push into the transition.
Eye Level:
My eyes were looking up at the horizon, not at my feet.
Control:
I didn't lose my balance or take extra steps to "save" it.
Final Thought
What is ONE transition you want to make sure you include in your final routine? Why does it fit your style?
Aesthetic Essentials Slides Aesthetic Essentials
EXTENSIONS, LINES, & FORM
Lesson 2: Jumps & Leaps
What is "Clean"?
In gymnastics, "clean" refers to movement that shows complete body control and maximum extension.
1
Pointed Toes
2
Locked Knees
3
Fingertip Awareness
The "X" Factor
Imagine a string pulling your head to the ceiling and your toes to the floor. Be long.
The Power 3
Straight Jump
Maximum vertical height. Squeeze your core and legs together in the air. Feet MUST point.
Tuck Jump
Knees to chest. Show a clear "ball" shape in mid-air before extending for the landing.
Split Leap
One foot to another. The goal is to reach 180° (a straight line) in the air.
The Perfect Stick
The landing is the final impression. A "clean" skill ends with a rock-solid finish.
Feet hit the floor at the same time.
Slight knee bend (no "impact" sound).
Arms finish high and wide.
Rule of Thumb
0
Steps Allowed
Slow-Mo Analysis
Grab a tablet with your partner.
A.
Record a 5-second video of your partner's Split Leap .
B.
Scrub the video frame-by-frame. Can you find the "Peak" of the leap?
C.
Are the toes pointed? Is the back leg straight? Use the Form Checklist to grade it!
Form Finder Checklist Form Finder
Slow-Motion Video Analysis Tool
Gymnast: ____________________
Coach: ____________________
How to use: Record your partner performing each jump. Scrub through the video slowly. Look for the exact "Peak" (the highest point). Check the box if they achieved the requirement at that peak moment.
1. Straight Jump
Vertical Power
Toes Pointed
Feet stretch toward the floor in mid-air.
Locked Knees
No "bicycle legs"—legs are pinned together.
Tall Torso
Shoulders are down, neck is long.
Stick Finish
Solid landing with no extra steps.
2. Tuck Jump
Tight Shape
Knees Above Waist
Maximum compression in the tuck.
Hands on Shins
Brief contact showing a closed shape.
Fast Extension
Legs snap back out before landing.
Quiet Landing
Absorbing impact with bent knees.
3. Split Leap
The Big Split
180° Potential
Legs splitting evenly front and back.
Level Hips
Hips square to the direction of travel.
Arm Carriage
Arms held strong to the sides or front.
Stable Finish
Control upon the single-leg landing.
The "Grow" Tip
Coach, write ONE specific correction for your gymnast based on the video:
Gymnastics Skill Cards Gymnastics Skill Deck
Workshop Hook: Random Routine Generation
Balance
Scale Pose
One leg extended back, torso parallel to the floor.
Roll
Forward Roll
Tuck chin, roll over shoulders, stand up with no hands.
Jump
Tuck Jump
Explode upwards and bring knees to chest in mid-air.
Transition
Pivot Turn
Pivot Turn
Step forward and turn 180 on the balls of your feet.
Transition
Chassé
Galloping step used to travel across the floor.
Balance
Tripod Balance
Hands and head form a triangle. Knees rest on elbows.
Roll
Log Roll
Lateral roll with body extended fully.
Jump
Split Leap
Explosive leap from one foot to the other in a split.
Wild Card
Choreographer's Choice
Invent a unique floor pose or creative bridge movement.
Teacher Instructions: The Random Routine
Cut out the cards above (prepare several sets for the class).
Groups of 3 draw 4 random cards and must perform them in the order drawn.
Challenge: They have 5 minutes to add "transitions" so the sequence doesn't look like a series of accidents. Routine Blueprint Worksheet Routine Blueprint
Lesson 3: Choreography & Planning
Name: __________________________
Partner: ________________________
Routine Requirements
Ensure your draft includes all of the following:
1 Balance
1 Roll
1 Jump/Leap
1 Turn
The Floor Map
Draw your routine's path on the grid. Use dots for skills and arrows for transitions.
Tip: Avoid moving in a single straight line. Use diagonals, zig-zags, or circles!
= Tumbling Skill
= Balance/Pose
= Path of Movement
The Performance Sequence
Order Skill or Transition Name Key Focus (e.g. "point toes", "high knees") 1 Opening Pose 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Closing Pose
Feedback Workshop Slides The Coach's Eye
FEEDBACK & REFINEMENT
Lesson 4: Peer Review Workshop
The Mirror Effect
As a performer, you can't see your own lines. Your partner acts as your mirror .
"Feedback is not about finding what is WRONG. It is about finding how to make it BETTER."
Observe with Intent
Don't just watch. Analyze the Flow and the Form.
Constructive Language
Glow
Identify one thing they did exceptionally well.
"I loved how smooth your transition from the roll was!"
"Your straight jump had incredible height!"
Grow
Identify one specific area for improvement.
"Try to point your toes more during the leap."
"Maybe hold your balance for one second longer."
The Feedback Loop
1
Perform Draft
2
Peer Review
3
Immediate Revision
Don't wait! After you get feedback, try that section again 3 times.
Coach Eye Rubric Coach's Eye Rubric
Lesson 4: Peer Feedback & Refinement
Gymnast: __________________
Coach: __________________
Category The Gold Standard (3) Getting There (2) Starting Point (1) Flow & Continuity
Seamless transitions between all skills.
| No pauses or fidgeting. The routine feels like one single movement. | Most skills connect, but there is 1 pause or extra step between moves. | Routine is choppy. Frequent stops to reset or fix hair/clothes. |
|
Aesthetic Form
Pointed toes, locked knees, and posture.
| Toes are pointed in every jump and roll. Body is fully extended. | Toes are pointed sometimes, but form is lost during rolls or balances. | Knees are bent often. Toes are flat/relaxed during jumps. |
|
Control
Rock-solid landings and balances.
| Every landing "sticks." Balances are held for 2+ seconds without wobbling. | Most landings are controlled, but 1-2 small steps were taken to save balance. | Frequent loss of balance. Balances are "fell out of" immediately. |
The Glow
What was their strongest moment?
The Grow
One specific area to polish:
Gymnast's Revision Plan
Based on your coach's feedback, what will you practice 5 times before the final showcase?
Showcase Protocol Slides The Showcase
FINAL ROUTINE PERFORMANCE
Lesson 5: Grand Finale
Meet Protocol
The Salute
When your name is called, step onto the mat and salute the judge with high arms and a smile. Show confidence.
The Zone
From the start pose to the finish pose, you are "in character." No giggling, no hair fixing, just Flow.
The Finish
Hold your final pose for 3 seconds. Salute the judge again before stepping off the mat. Owned it.
Eyes Up. Toes Down.
Forget about the "hardest" skill. Focus on the easiest connection. Make every step intentional.
Breathe
Composure
Precision
Respect the Mat
Your role as the audience is just as important as the performer's.
Silence during routines
Applaud only at the salute
Positive Program Notes
Judge's Desk
Ready to score? Use the Showcase Rubric to provide the final grade.
Master Showcase Rubric Master Performance Rubric
Final Routine Showcase | Teacher Assessment
Total Score
/ 20
Gymnast: ____________________________________
Date: ____________________________________
Category Advanced (5) Proficient (4) Developing (2-3) Limited (0-1) Composition & Requirements All 5 requirements met. Sequence is creative and uses the whole floor. All 5 requirements met. Sequence is logical but safe. 3-4 requirements met. Routine is very short or repeats direction. Fewer than 3 requirements met. No clear plan. Flow & Continuity Exceptional flow. No pauses, clothing adjustments, or lost focus. Seamless. Good flow. Skills connect well with minimal hesitation between moves. Routine is choppy. Pauses to think or reset between most skills. Disconnected skills with no attempt at transitional movement. Aesthetic Form (Extensions) Consistent pointed toes, locked knees, and intentional arm carriage. Toes pointed in jumps/leaps. Form is good but inconsistent in rolls. Some effort toward form, but "bicycle legs" or flat feet are common. No extension shown. Knees bent and feet relaxed throughout. Stability & Execution All landings "stuck" perfectly. Balances are rock-solid for 3+ seconds. Controlled landings with max 1 small step. Balances held for 2 seconds. Wobbly landings. Balances are shaky or held briefly. Unsafe landings or unable to hold balances for any duration.
Deductions (Optional): -0.5 per extra step or loss of composure
Teacher Comments
Performance Highlights:
Next Steps / Goals:
Showcase Reflection Program Showcase Program
Gymnastics Performance & Reflection
Name: __________________________
Section: 7th Grade PE
Audience Observations
As you watch your classmates perform, choose 3 different routines and record one "Glow" (something positive) for each. Be specific!
Gymnast Name
Performance Glow
Gymnast Name
Performance Glow
Gymnast Name
Performance Glow
Post-Performance Reflection
1. The Flow Check
Which transition in your routine felt the smoothest today? Why?
2. Growth Area
If you could perform this routine again tomorrow, what is one "form" detail you would focus on more?
Bravo!
You've completed the Choreography unit. What is the biggest thing you learned about how gymnastics is different from "just tumbling"?
