Supervision

• Constant visual supervision is required when students are attempting difficult moves for the first time on an apparatus.
• On-site supervision is recommended following initial skill instruction and after all safety concerns have been emphasized.

NB: The Kids CanMove program promoted a non-spotting approach. Skills which require spotting should be left out of school gymnastics classes.

Instructional Considerations

• Students must be instructed on safety related to gymnastics and associated apparatus prior to use.
• Emphasize teaching the fundamentals of agility, balance, coordination, strength, and flexibility.
• A teacher that is spotting on an apparatus is not providing adequate supervision to the rest of the class. Teachers should be free to observe the entire class to ensure that students display proper and safe conduct.
• The single most important gymnastic skill is the ability to fall and land safely.
• Encourage students to work within their own comfort zone.
• Teach students to be aware of personal and general space for activities space, and to watch for others at all times.

Skills that should not be performed:

• Inverted skills, without support. No saltos (flips).
• Hanging on bars without hand support. No hanging by knees only.
• Inverted skills from a springing device. No dive rolls from a mini trampoline.
• Vaults using mini trampolines.
• No headstands, very minimal time on heads is recommended.

Equipment/Facilities

• Beat board may be used with the box horse/vault for mounting or vaulting (traveling over) the apparatus.
• Springboards should not be used with box horse or vault; beat boards or Reuter board should be used instead.
• Teacher should check horse/utility box for stability prior to use, e.g., does not slide on floor, does not come apart.
• Mount, static balances, landings and basic vaulting progressions are appropriate activities at the elementary school level.
• Horse height should be appropriate for students, i.e: beams at shoulder height maximum.
• If equipment cannot be sufficiently lowered, teacher should place additional mats under equipment to achieve desired height.
• General utility mats should be placed to designate landing area.