Buckley Gymnastics Club

For the next few months we are going to be concentrating on our basic shapes which are the fundamental building blocks of gymnastics. Every move a gymnast does is made up of a combination of these shapes.

Step 1: Tuck shape

Sit on bottom clasping the knees to the chest. Legs tight together. Point the toes to the floor. The back should be curved. Practice pulling legs up towards the chest without wobbling around.

Step 2 – Rocking in Tuck

Once the gymnast can pull into a tuck shape it’s time to try rocking backwards and forwards.

This is much more difficult than it looks as it takes a lot of core strength and head control. It’s difficult to rock back under control without putting your hands down – try it yourself.

The chin must be kept tucked in and the knees clasped tightly. Practice rolling backwards and forwards keeping in a tuck shape without letting go of the knees or rolling out to the side.

Step 3: Three rocks and stand up

This time the gymnast is encouraged to do three big rocks. Then, on the third one, rock forward on to their feet to stand up. The hands should not be put down to push the body up but pushed forward into the air so that they end in the finish position.

• Thanks to Jess for the demonstration and to Milly for the photos

• Learn the lunge
• Learn the straddle
• Learn the pike fold
• Learn the straddle fold

We’ve been working a lunge position for a little while now, writes coach Becca.  If you came to parents’ viewing you may remember the seesaw action song (your gymnast should be able to show you). This song is aiming to get them to practise the lunge shape. And this month we are starting to work towards a lunge preparing to go into a handstand.

Step 1: Standing with hands down in front, straight back and legs and feet together. You can give them a rod to hold if you have one.

Step 2: Step one foot out forward and, at the same time, bring arms up. Front knee will be bent. Both feet will remain flat on the floor and facing forward. Arms will squeeze towards ears. Face will look slightly downwards.

There should be a virtually straight line from arms through the back and down the legs.

Step 3: Step the foot back, bring the hands back down returning to start position. Repeat stepping forward on the other foot.

Most people will have a dominant foot that they prefer to step forward with.

Try and encourage the gymnast to step forward on either foot.

Step 4: Once the gymnast can confidently keep balance in the lunge shape on both legs, step into lunge and try lifting the back leg off the floor while keeping the straight line from arms to back to feet.

Then repeat on the opposite leg.

• Learn the straddle
• Learn the pike fold
• Learn the straddle fold