Balance Bridge Slides Balance Bridge
Let's cross the canyon!
The Challenge
Imagine the floor is a deep, blue ocean! 🌊
The floor lines and beams are the only way to stay dry.
Can you make it all the way across?
Step 1: Airplane Arms
Stretch your arms out wide to your sides.
Keep them steady and strong!
"Wings Out!"
WHERE DO WE LOOK?
Don't Look at Your Feet!
Look at the end of the beam!
CHOOSE YOUR PATH
FORWARD
Toe-to-heel walk
BACKWARD
Peeking over the shoulder
SIDEWAYS
Slide and step
Ready to Balance?
Grab your tracker and find a line!
Balance Basics Teacher Guide Balance Basics
Lesson 1: Traveling on Beams
Teacher Resource
Duration
45-50 Minutes
Equipment
Floor tape, low balance beams, visual cues (slides), music.
Focus
Dynamic balance & posture.
1 The Hook: Cross the Canyon
Use the Balance Bridge Slides to set the scene. Explain that the floor is "lava" or a "deep ocean," and students must stay on the narrow bridges (tape lines/beams) to survive.
Warm-up: "Statue Tag"
Students jog in space. When the teacher shouts "Statue!", students must freeze on one leg for 5 seconds using "Airplane Arms."
2 Core Skills: The 3 'C's
Center
Keep weight even. Airplane arms out wide for stability.
Control
Toe-to-heel walk. Never rush! Slower is harder and better.
Chin Up
Eyes on the end of the beam. Do not look at your feet!
3 Learning Stations
Station 1: Tape Trails. Practice forward, backward, and sideways walks on flat tape lines. Focus on precision.Station 2: The Low Bridge. Move to low balance beams (height < 6 inches). Practice forward walk only.Station 3: Challenge Bridge. Add a small object (beanbag) to step over in the middle of the beam.
Differentiation
Support:
Allow students to hold a partner's hand for one pass. Use wider tape lines (4 inches) for early success.
Challenge:
Have students walk on the balls of their feet (reléve) or try to walk backward on the low beam.
Beam Walker Checklist Beam Walker
Name:
Date:
Can you finish the Balance Challenges? Check the box when you are done!
Airplane Arms
I can keep my arms out wide and steady like wings.
Eyes Ahead
I can look at the end of the line while I walk.
Backwards Walk
I can walk backwards on the floor line safely.
The Low Beam
I can walk all the way across the real beam!
How did I do?
Color the stars!
Level Up Slides Level Up
Adding Dips, Turns, and Heights!
The 3 Levels
HIGH
Standing Tall
MEDIUM
Knees Bent
LOW
Crouching Small
The Dip
While walking on your bridge, can you bend your knees and touch the beam with one hand?
Gymnast Tip: Keep your back straight!
Hold for 3 seconds!
The Pivot Turn
1. BALLS OF FEET
2. TWIST!
Go from facing FORWARD to facing BACKWARD without falling off!
MIX IT UP
As you walk the Tumbling Trail, can you do this sequence?
1. HIGH
Walk on toes
2. TURN
Pivot half-way
3. LOW
Do a deep dip
Dips and Turns Teacher Guide Dips and Turns
Lesson 2: Adding Complexity
Teacher Resource
Skills
Levels, Dips, Pivot Turns
Safety
Focus on slow rotation to avoid dizziness or slipping off beam.
Key Word
VARIETY
1 Exploring Levels
Use the Level Up Slides to define High (tiptoes), Medium (standing normal), and Low (crouching).
Game: "Traffic Light Levels"
Green = High (Walk on toes)
Yellow = Medium (Normal walk)
Red = Low (Deep dip/crouch)
The Pivot Turn
Teach the pivot on the floor first. Cues: "Belly button to the wall," "Toes stay on the line," "Half-way round."
2 The Tumbling Trail
Set up 3-4 parallel lines (tape and beams). Students rotate through these tasks:
A
The Wave: Walk while changing levels continuously (High -> Medium -> Low -> Medium -> High).
B
The Anchor Dip: Walk to the middle of the line/beam, do a deep dip, touch the surface, and hold for 3 seconds.
C
The Spinning Top: Incorporate 2 pivot turns at specific marked points on the line.
Verbal Cues to Use
"Squeeze your core like a statue."
"Use your tail (arms) for balance."
"Soft knees make a quiet landing."
"Eyes fixed, body steady."
Success Criteria
Can student identify 3 distinct levels?
Can student perform a pivot turn without stepping off the line?
Does the student maintain posture during a dip?
Change Your Level Activity Level Up!
Dips and Turns Challenge
Gymnast:
Can you earn all the stars? ⭐️
Try each move on the floor line or the beam!
The Giant Walk
Walk all the way across in the HIGH level (on your toes!).
The Deep Dip
"I can bend my knees and touch the beam 3 times."
The Pivot Spinner
"I can do a half-turn on the beam without falling off!"
Draw yourself doing a LOW level dip! Movement Sentence Slides Movement Sentences
Linking skills from start to finish!
A
B
C
Beginning, Middle, and End
START
Choose a shape. Hold it still like a statue.
FLOW
Move across the beam with travel skills.
FINISH
A strong landing or pose. Ta-da!
Choose a Start
Star Shape (Arms out)
Pencil Shape (Arms up)
Tuck Shape (Small ball)
Be Still!
No wobbling during your start shape!
What is "FLOW"?
NO STOPPING!
Flow means your movements connect like a smooth river.
One skill...
...Right to the next!
Today's Mission
Create a 3-Part Movement Sentence on your floor line:
Start in a Shape.
Travel across (walk/dip).
End in a Landing Pose.
Linking Skills Teacher Guide Linking Skills Flow
Lesson 3: The Movement Sentence
Teacher Resource
The "Sentence" Concept
Just as words form a sentence with a capital letter and a period, gymnastics skills form a sequence with a Start Shape and a Finish Pose . The goal is "Flow"—eliminating pauses between movements.
1. Designing the Sentence
Provide students with a "Menu" of choices for each part of their sentence:
Starts (Shapes)
• Star Shape (Wide)
• Pencil (Thin/Tall)
• Tuck (Small/Low)
Middle (Travel)
• Toe-to-Heel Walk
• Deep Dip
• Half-Pivot Turn
• Sideways Slide
Ends (Finish)
• Gymnast Landing (Knees bent)
• Balance on One Foot
• Creative "Ta-da!" Pose
2. Teaching Transitions
The "Glue" of the sequence:
Ask: "How do we get from your Star Shape into your walk without stopping?" Demonstrate shifting weight slowly from the shape into the first step.
Observation Focus
Is the movement FLUID or CHOPPY?
Guided Practice: "The Link Up"
Drafting: Students use the "My Movement Planner" to circle their chosen sequence.Rehearsal: Students practice on a single floor line. Teacher gives "Freeze" and "Flow" cues.Peer Review: Partners watch each other and give a "Thumbs Up" for a clear Start and End.
Scaffold:
Allow students to use only 2 parts (Start -> Travel) if 3 is too complex for memory.
Extension:
Add a 4th part: Shape -> Travel 1 -> Travel 2 -> Finish.
My Movement Planner Movement Planner
Build Your Sentence!
Gymnast:
Circle ONE thing from each box to build your routine!
1. START SHAPE
Star
Pencil
Tuck
2. TRAVEL
Normal Walk
Half Turn
Deep Dip
3. FINISH POSE
Big Smile
Ta-da!
Sticky Landing
My "Flow" Checklist
Clear Start Shape
Smooth Linking (Flow)
Clear Finish Pose
Mirror Master Slides Mirror Masters
Moving together in perfect time!
What is Mirroring?
Imagine you are looking in a MAGIC MIRROR.
When your partner moves their right arm, you move your left arm. You move at the exact same speed!
The 3 Rules
1
Eyes on Partner!
2
Match the Speed.
3
No Touching!
Can you be
Listen to the Beat
Moving to a STEADY BEAT makes our gymnastics look like dancing!
BOOM... BOOM... BOOM... BOOM...
Mirror Mission
Part A
Mirror your partner while standing still. Arms, head, and shapes!
Part B
Walk along parallel lines together. Stay side-by-side!
Rhythm and Pairs Teacher Guide Rhythm and Pairs
Lesson 4: Mirroring & Timing
Teacher Resource
Rhythmic Awareness
Students move to a shared pulse. This prevents rushing and encourages deliberate, aesthetic movement common in performance gymnastics.
Collaboration
Students must observe and adapt to their partner's speed and body position, building non-verbal communication skills.
1 Warm-up: The Human Metronome
Students stand in a circle. Teacher claps a steady beat (60 BPM). On every 4th beat, students must change their arm shape together. Gradually increase complexity to every 2nd beat.
2 Static Mirroring
Partners face each other on the floor (no lines yet). One is the "Leader," one is the "Reflection."
Teaching Cue:
"If I can tell who the leader is, you are moving too fast! The leader and reflection should look identical."
3 Dynamic Mirroring (Parallel Lines)
Set up pairs of parallel lines (3 feet apart). Partners walk side-by-side, mirroring movements as they travel.
Task 1: Matching steps (left, right, left, right).Task 2: Matching levels (Leader goes low, Reflection goes low).Task 3: Matching a "Freeze" (Leader chooses a shape, Reflection matches immediately).
Discussion Questions
"Which was harder: leading or reflecting? Why?"
"How did the music help you stay together?"
"What happened if you looked away from your partner?"
"How do we know if a mirror routine is successful?"
Mirror Partner Bingo Mirror Bingo
Partners:
Work with your partner to match these moves perfectly!
The Wave
"We can raise our arms slowly at the same time."
Tiptoe Twins
"We can walk 5 steps on our toes together."
Sync-Dip
"We can do a deep dip at the exact same speed."
Statue Swap
"We can hold a 1-foot balance for 5 beats."
Team Talk
Talk to your partner: "What was our best matching move today?"
Write or draw your favorite move together
Showtime Prep Slides SHOWTIME
Performing Your First Gymnastics Routine!
Your Performance Recipe
1
START SHAPE
Hold for 3 seconds
2
TRAVEL
Walk with Flow
3
SKILL
Dip or Turn
4
FINISH POSE
The "Ta-da!"
Power Up Your Performance
CHIN UP & SMILE
STRONG ARMS
STUCK LANDING
Be the Star!
The Audience Rules
BE QUIET
WATCH CLOSELY
CLAP AT THE END
GOOD LUCK!
You are going to be amazing.
Final Routine Teacher Guide Routine Showcase
Lesson 5: Performance & Assessment
Teacher Guide
Showcase Setup
Arrange floor mats and beams in a "performance lane." Set up a designated "Audience Zone" where students can watch quietly. If possible, play upbeat, instrumental background music (60-80 BPM).
Performance Etiquette
• Performance begins with a "Salute" (arm raise).
• Performance ends with a "Finish" (Ta-da!).
• Audience claps only when the gymnast finishes.
Assessment Rubric
Criteria Emerging (1) Developing (2) Mastered (3) Beginning Shape Unsteady or no shape held. Held a shape briefly with some wobble. Steady, clear shape held for 3 seconds. The "Flow" (Linking) Stops between every movement. Some linking, but several pauses. Smooth transitions between all 4 parts. Skill Execution Unable to complete turn or dip. Completes skills but loses balance. Controlled dip and pivot on the line/beam. Performance Rushed through or forgot parts. Finished routine but lacked poise. Strong presence, "Ta-da" finish, and poise.
The "Debrief"
Praise Points:
Identify specific moments of "Stillness" and "Flow." Highlight students who stayed focused during distractions.
Next Steps:
Ask students how they can make their routines longer or more challenging for the next unit.
Routine Certificate Certificate of Achievement
Gymnastics Star
This is proudly awarded to:
For creating and performing their first 4-part gymnastics routine with stillness, flow, and poise!
My Favorite Routine Move:
Draw your best move here!
Shape
Travel
Skill
Ta-Da!
Coach Signature
Date
