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.
• Inversion activities should be done under direct supervision of the teacher.

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

Instructional Considerations

• Inversion skills must be done so that a student hangs no higher than 1.5 m (5 ft.) above the mat.
• For Pre-Kindergarten/ECS Program students, inversion skills must be done at a height that hands can reach the mat while hanging.
• Rope activities should be introduced in a developmental sequence including instructions to descend rope by reverse climbing, not sliding.
• Swinging activities should be avoided.
• Teacher should stress the importance of control before height.
• Students should be taught proper landing and force absorption techniques.

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

• Gymnastic mats should be placed under ropes.
• For inversion activities, a 30.5 cm to 60.9 cm (12 in. to 24 in.) landing mat must be in place.
• If ropes are used for swinging, mats should cover floor surface below path of rope.
• Area used for ropes should be clear of all obstructions. This includes room to swing back and forth.
• Knots should not be tied at bottom of ropes.
• Students may use hand chalk, i.e., carbonate magnesia.
• Students should be encouraged to climb down ropes rather than slide down, regardless of the material.