Static+Balance

Introduction: Kindergarten Mastery: Year 3 Introductory Focus Components **Observation Position** - To the front **Instructions** - "Watch me demonstrate how I want you to balance. Now stand on one leg for as long as you can or until I tell you to stop."
 * __STATIC BALANCE __**
 * **Global Check** |||| **Legs** |||| **Head and Trunk** || **Arms** ||
 * Does it look right? || 1. Support leg still, foot flat on the ground || 2. Leg bent, not touching the support leg. || 3. Head stable, eyes focused forward. || 4. Trunk stable and upright. || 5. No excessive arm movements. ||



__**Activities **__

**Visualisation Exercise** Lead your class through a simple visualisation exercise to help them maintain concentration and stability throughout a one leg balance. Start with each child in their own space, all facing you. Have them all to pick a spot on the wall directly ahead - they are to maintain focus on that spot throughout. Next have them spread there arms out horizontally on each side and have them imagine that their is a string connected to each hand that is keeping their arms straight. Then have them imagine that there is also a string running through them that goes from floor to ceiling that is keeping them straight and tall. With all this in place, have them lift and bend one leg (don't specify left or right, which ever they choose will be the easiest for them) so their foot is next to the knee of the other foot, but not touching. The height that the raised leg reaches will vary, but knee should be achievable by most. Have them hold the balance for 5 seconds. Try again but balance on the other leg. After mastering this, they can then move onto the following balances.

 **One - Leg Balance Challenges**

** Organisation ** : Have players find a partner of equal size; one partner performs the activity, the other is the spotter and observes and 'coaches' the performer. During practice, coach should lightly support performer by holding one hand and then releasing it when performer is in balance. Give each pair a copy of the pictures and instructions for each of the following balances.

Try each one-leg balance challenge with your partner. Position yourself as shown, point toes, and focus eyes ahead to help balance. Hold each balance for five seconds. After you have tried all the balances, repeat them using the other leg.
 * **Description **:


 * 1. Front Scale: **Balance on one leg. Raise the other leg backwards until it is parallel to the floor. Bend forward, look ahead at your own height, and raise the arms sideways. Try to keep both knees straight. Change to balance on the other leg.

 **2. Front Scale Reverse **: Start in the front scale position. Swing your back leg downward and at the same time twist the upper body to finish facing in the opposite direction. Maintain your balance without moving your standing foot from the spot.

 **3. Balance Jump **: Start in the front scale position. Fix your eyes on a distant focal point. With a quick jump, change standing legs without losing balance. Repeat.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;"> **<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">4. Knee Dip **: Balance on the right foot. Grasp your left foot behind your back with your right hand. Bend to touch your bent knee to the mat, while holding the left foot. Hold your other arm out to maintain balance. Stand up, without any other part of your body touching the floor or losing your balance. Repeat, touching with the other knee. || <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;"> ||


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">[[image:pdhpe_-_balance2.jpg]] || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">5. **<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">Leap and Balance **: Stand with your arms out sideways. Run forward to leap in the air off one foot. Reach forward to leap in the air off one foot. Reach forward with the other leg, land on that leg, and hold your balance without moving. Can you hold that balance for five seconds?

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">6. **Balance Beam :** Walk forward on the balance beam, keeping eyes focused in front, torso straight. **extend with students juggling with one hand or both whilst balancing. ||

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;">
 * **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">More Balances **

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;"> 1. Stork Stand 2. Stork stand, one leg sideways 3. Cloud Stand

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: center;"> 4. High splits 5. Bird Dog 6. Swan Balance 7. Ankle Hold ||