Gymnastics Basics

What Is Gymnastics?#

Have you ever watched gymnasts flip, spin, and balance on TV? They make it look so easy and graceful! Gymnastics is a sport and activity that combines strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and body awareness.

Gymnastics helps you learn how to move your body in controlled and creative ways. Even if you never compete in gymnastics, the body awareness and strength you build will help you in every physical activity you do!

Safety First!#

Before we learn any gymnastics skills, we need to talk about safety. Safety is the most important part of gymnastics!

• Always use a mat. Gymnastics mats are thick and cushioned to protect you when you fall or land.
• Follow teacher instructions. Your teacher tells you what skills to practice. Do not try moves that have not been taught yet.
• Warm up first. Cold muscles are more likely to get injured. Always warm up before gymnastics.
• Take turns. Make sure there is enough space and that it is your turn before you begin a skill.
• Land with bent knees. We already know this from our locomotor skills lesson — soft landings protect your joints.
• Support each other. If a classmate falls or makes a mistake, be kind and encouraging.

Types of Gymnastics#

There are different types of gymnastics:

• Artistic gymnastics: Floor routines, balance beam, vault, and bars.
• Rhythmic gymnastics: Movement with ribbons, balls, hoops, and ropes.
• Tumbling: Rolls, cartwheels, and flips (advanced).

In Grade 2, we focus on floor gymnastics — skills performed on a mat without special apparatus. This is the foundation for all other types of gymnastics!