Critical Elements—Mature Pattern

​Critical Elements for Nonlocomotor Skills, Mature Pattern

Balancing

1. Feet shoulder width apart
2. Arms out to side
3. Use body parts to even out weight. (Use body parts to equalize weight distribution)

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Stretching (extension)

1. Move body part(s) away from the center of the body
2. Body part becomes longer or straighter
3. Body part extends as joints straighten out
4. Reach and hold or rotate joint slowly

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Bending (flexion)

1. Body part becomes shorter or smaller
2. Two body parts come closer together
3. Occurs at the joints of the body

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Pushing

1. Movement is away from the body
2. Press against an object to make it move
3. Start with a bend and move to a stretch as you are pushing

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Pulling

1. Movement is toward the body
2. Dragging the object to make it move
3. Start with a stretch and move to a bend as you are pulling

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Twisting

1. Rotate a part of the body at the joint
2. There is a limit to how far you can twist

 

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Turning

1. Movement changes the direction of the body or body part
2. You end up facing a new direction
3. Involves shifting body weight
4. Both ends of the body or body part are free to move

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NOTE:

Teaching Nonlocomotor combinations that are in opposition include: Stretching & Bending, Pushing & Pulling, Twisting & Turning.

​Critical Elements for Locomotor Skills, Mature Pattern

 

Sliding

1. One foot always leads (Side step followed by a non-crossover step)
2. Always move in a smooth sideways motion
3. Flight between steps
4. Able to slide right and left

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Running

1. Flight between steps
2. Nonsupport leg flexed approximately 90 degrees
3. Arms and legs in opposition
4. Foot lands heel to toe
5. Arms drive forward and backward in a straight line

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Skipping

1. Continuous step-hop on alternate feet with a knee lift
2. Non-support foot carried near the surface
3. Arm-leg opposition

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Hopping

1. Arms swing forward on take-off
2. Land on toes/balls of foot of the support foot
3. Non-support foot carried behind body
4. Non-support leg swings like a pendulum
5. Able to hop on each foot

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Leaping

1. Take-off on one foot and land on the opposite foot
2. A period of flight longer than running
3. Reach forward in opposition with arms from feet

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Galloping

1. Lead foot – step, with back foot coming up to heel of lead foot
2. Flight between steps
3. Arms bent at waist level
4. Able to lead with each foot

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Walking

1. Transfer of weight from one foot to the other
2. Foot contact is from heel to toe
3. One foot is always in contact with the floor

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Jumping Vertical Plane

1. Crouch your body as knees bend
2. Use an upward arm lift
3. Explode upward or forward
4. All body parts must work together
5. Land softly (bend hips, knees, and ankles to absorb shock)

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Jumping Horizontal Plane

1. Crouch your body as knees bend
2. Use an upward arm lift
3. Explode forward
4. All body parts must work together
5. Land softly (bend hips, knees, and ankles to absorb shock)

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NOTE:

Teaching Fundamental Motor Skills requires that the Critical Elements are always done correctly for each task. Doing a task where the student performs the skill BACKWARDS changes the Critical Elements. For example: Walking backward will mean that the foot contact will be toe to heel rather than heel to toe. To do a task where the skill is done backwards – you must do two things: 1. Make sure the learning environment is safe. 2. Identify for the students how the Critical Elements have changed, or have them identify them, to make sure that it is clearly taught.

​Critical Elements for Manipulative Skills, Mature Pattern

 

Throwing Overhand

1. Slide to target in preparation for throwing action
2. Lead with elbow of throwing arm at shoulder height
3. Step with opposite foot as throwing arm moves forward
4. Hip and spine rotate as throwing action is executed
5. Release at eye level with diagonal follow-through across body

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Throwing Underhand

1. Step with opposite foot; face target in preparation for throwing action
2. Swing throwing arm backward; arm back in preparation for action
3. Point to a target on release using proper force and follow through.
4. Release ball between knee and waist level
5. Follow through to target

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Catching (above and below the waist)

1. Extend arms outward to reach for ball
2. Elbows bend to absorb the force; catch with hands only, no cradling against the body
3. Pull the ball into the body as the catch is made
4. Curl the body slightly around the ball
5. Thumbs together if ball is caught above the waist; Thumbs apart if ball is caught below the waist

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Dribbling (hand – basketball)

1. Knees slightly bent with opposite foot forward when dribbling in self space
2. Use the finger pads not the palm of the hand
3. Firm contact with top of ball using wrist flexion
4. Extend to push the ball (not strike the ball with hand) to the floor
5. Eyes looking “over”, not down at the ball

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Kicking

1. Arms extend forward in preparation for kicking action
2. Body trunk leans back slightly in preparation for and during kicking action
3. Contact ball with top of foot (shoelaces) for kicking action
4. Contact with ball is made directly below center of ball (travel in the air); contact with ball is made directly behind center of ball (travel on the ground)
5. Follow-through toward target; kicking leg extending forward and upward

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Place Kicking

1. Arms extend forward in preparation for kicking action
2. Large step planting foot with top of foot (shoelaces) landing next to the ball
3. Body trunk leans back slightly and flex knee of kicking foot
4. Follow-through with kicking foot
5. Small hop with planted foot

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Punting

1. Large step with planting foot
2. Hyperextend hip and flex knee of kicking foot
3. Ball released above foot
4. Follow-through with kicking foot
5. Small hop with planted foot

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Striking with Short Implement (one-handed

1. Hold racket or paddle back in preparation for striking
2. Step on opposite foot as contact is made
3. Swing racket or paddle with low to high stroke
4. Step with front foot to contact with hip/trunk rotation on swing
5. Swing low to high following through for completion of the striking action

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Striking with Long Implement (two-handed)

1. Bat up and back in preparation for the striking action
2. Non-dominate side faces tosser
3. Step with front foot to contact with hip/trunk rotation on swing
4. Swing the bat on a horizontal plane
5. Wrist uncocks on follow-through for completion of the striking action

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Volleying (Underhand Serving)

1. Face the target in preparation for the volley
2. Opposite foot forward
3. Use flat surface of hand for contact with the ball
4. Make contact with ball between knee and waist level
5. Follow-through upward and to the target

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Volleying (Overhead Serving)

1. Ready position, non-dominant foot in front, shoulders square to the net
2. Toss with opposite hand of serving hand, bow and arrow swing (non-dominant hand straight out, dominant elbow up and hand by ear) 1-2 feet into the air
3. Hit ball with heel of dominant hand (cues: toss, step, hi-five)
4. Follow through will depend on where you want ball to land on opponents court
5. Advanced technique: leap or jump into air during service

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Volleying

1. Body aligned and position under the ball
2. Knees, arms, and ankles bent in preparation of the volley
3. Hands rounded; thumbs and index fingers make triangle (without touching) in readiness
4. Ball contacts only the finger pads, not the palm; wrists stay steady
5. Arms extended upward on contact; follow-through slightly toward target

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Setting Up Volleying

1. Ready position, eyes on the ball
2. Get under the ball with hands up
3. Hands up (triangle) at forehead, bent knees
4. Use finger fads to contact the ball
5. Extend arms toward target on follow through (like superman)