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neurologyYou need to know

• A balance is more stable when the centre of mass is held over a wide base of support, the body is aligned, and the working muscles show clear body tension.
• Body tension means actively engaging the core, glutes, and legs to create a firm shape that resists wobbling.
• Balances in this unit must use three or more body parts (for example, hands, feet, knees, elbows, or back) and be held still for at least three seconds.
• A safe landing on the floor or from the vault uses a stable, approximately hip-width stance, with weight moving through the balls of the feet towards the heels, the ankles, knees, and hips flexed, the knees aligned with the toes, the arms forward, and the head up.
• On the beam, jumps should use a controlled landing through both feet where appropriate, whereas leaps may land on one foot into a step or lunge; both landings require joint flexion and secure foot placement.
• A straight jump shows full body extension with legs together, toes pointed, back straight and arms finishing under control.
• A tuck jump brings both knees up toward the chest with hips and knees flexed, back straight and toes pointed during flight.
• A straddle jump takes the legs wide to the sides with straight knees and pointed toes before bringing the legs back together for landing.
• Basic vault safety includes a controlled run, a two-footed take-off from the springboard, firm hands on the vault top, and a soft two-foot landing on a matted area.
• In a straight jump off the vault, the gymnast rebounds from the springboard, maintains body tension in flight, and lands on two feet with control.
• In a straddle over vault, the hands press on top of the vault, the legs pass wide around the apparatus with straight knees, and the feet do not touch the vault.
• Basic beam travel (walks and side-steps) is performed on the balls of the feet with eyes forward, arms out for balance and core engaged.
• Basic beam turns are executed on the ball of the foot with tall posture, controlled arms, and focus on a fixed point to aid stability.
• A forward roll is performed by tucking the chin to the chest, placing hands flat on the mat, pushing through the legs to roll over the back of the shoulders, and standing to finish.
• A backward roll is performed by squatting low, placing hands by the ears with palms facing up, rolling over the shoulders (not the neck), and pushing through the hands to stand.
• A shoulder roll travels diagonally across one shoulder to the opposite hip to protect the neck, with the head turned to the side throughout.
• A high-quality sequence in this unit must show clear changes in level, direction, and speed, with smooth, continuous transitions and visible control throughout.
• Group performance quality improves when actions are synchronised to the same counts, formations are clear (such as lines or circles), and roles are defined (for example, base and performer).
• Partner balances must use teacher-approved shapes, never load the head, neck, or spine, establish a stable base before weight is added, use communication before moving, and be entered and exited under control.

• Perform static balances on three or more body parts, individually and with a partner or small group, holding each for at least three seconds with visible body tension and no wobble.
• Create and perform teacher-approved partner balances using counterbalance or counter-tension, establishing a stable base before adding weight, using secure points of contact and shared weight, never loading the head, neck, or spine, communicating before moving, and entering and exiting under control.
• Use the vault safely by executing a controlled run, hurdle onto the springboard, two-footed take-off, accurate hand placement on the vault, and a soft, stable landing through the balls of the feet towards the heels in an approximately hip-width stance, with the ankles, knees, and hips flexed and the knees aligned with the toes.
• Perform one basic vault action (straight jump off, squat on, or straddle over) with correct body alignment in flight and a controlled landing.
• Travel and balance on the beam by walking forwards, sideways, and backwards, adding a static balance and a quarter or half turn while maintaining posture, focus, and quiet feet.
• Execute two contrasting jumps or leaps, including at least one from the vault or on the beam, generating height with arm and leg drive, landing jumps through both feet where appropriate, and landing leaps on one foot into a step or lunge where appropriate, with joint flexion and secure foot placement.
• Combine at least two different rolls or rotations (for example, forward roll and shoulder roll) into a fluent mini-sequence, keeping the chin tucked, weight on the shoulders not the neck, and clear start and finish shapes.
• Compose and perform a short sequence that shows at least one change in level, one change in direction, and one change in speed across floor plus one apparatus, linking movements with smooth transitions and accurate timing.