Balancing

1
Chapter 22

• Balancing

2
Chapter 22 Key Points

• Balancing
• Defined in Webster as stability produced by even
  distribution of weight on each side of the
  vertical axis and an aesthetically pleasing
  integration of elements
• Elementary children experience two types of
  balancing challenges
• Static balance (little or no movement)
• Dynamic balance (while moving)

3
Types of Balance

• Static Balance
• Maintaining a desired shape in a stationary
  position
• Examples handstand, headstand
• Dynamic Balance
• Maintaining an in-balance position while moving,
  starting, or stopping
• Examples weight transference, jumping,
  throwing, traveling

4
Chapter 22 Key Points

• Teaching Balance
• Effective learning experiences considerations
• Easier to balance over wide base of support than
  a narrow base.
• Center of gravity should be aligned over base of
  support for a stationary balance
• Counterbalance requires extensions to one side of
  the body beyond the base of support with
  extensions in the opposite direction

5
Chapter 22 Key Points

• Teaching Balance (cont)
• Precontrol Level Tasks
• Children usually achieve balance coincidentally
• A focus on exploration of weight bearing and
  stillness, such as use of different body parts as
  bases of support and stopping in balanced
  position
• Control Level Tasks
• Where children can demonstrate holding stationary
  supports for several seconds
• Balance on more narrow bases of support
• Balance in inverted positions on apparatus

6
Chapter 22 Key Points

• Teaching Balance (cont)
• Utilization Level tasks
• Focus on static balances on variety of equipment
  and various bases of support
• Balancing in dynamic
• Combining balancing with locomotor and weight
  transfer
• Developing sequences of movement on both floor
  and apparatus

7
Chapter 22 Key Points

• Teaching Balance (cont)
• Proficiency Level Tasks
• Balancing on inverted and narrow bases
• Moving in and out of stationary balances with
  changes in time
• Dynamic balances on and off narrow equipment

8
Chapter 22 Key Points

• Teaching Balance (cont)
• Activities found in text
• Identifies Tasks
• Identifies Challenges
• Assessment ideas found throughout chapter

9
Progression Spiral for Developing the Skill Theme
of Balancing  

• PROFICIENCY LEVEL
• Performing apparatus sequences that combine
  stationary balances and traveling with movement
  concepts
• Transferring off equipment with weight on hands
• Balancing on hanging ropes
• Balancing while supporting the weight of a
  partner
• UTILIZATION LEVEL
• Performing sequences that combine stationary
  balances and traveling on mats
• Performing inverted balances on equipment
• Traveling into and out of balances by rolling
• Moving out of and into balances by stretching,
  curling, and twisting
• Balancing on crates
•  
• CONTROL LEVEL
• Balance boards
• Balancing on stilts
• Balancing sequence
• Traveling while balanced
• Traveling on large apparatus