TEACHING GYMNASTICS

by HARRIET R. LIHS and R.K. HURLIMAN
3rd edition, 150 pages, $16.95
ISBN 978-0-89641-370-2 

 

In this, the third edition of Teaching Gymnastics the authors offer practical help for the new teacher. An introductory chapter on teacher preparation has been added. Additional pre-gymastics material for the very young student has been added, designed to build the strength and coordination needed for basic skills. Teachig tips, based on many years of experience in the gym, are featured throughout the chapters: they include suggestions for spotting the gymnast with special needs (for example the overweight child) as well as new ways of using mats and other available equipment. Illustrations of proper gym set-up, skills charts for evaluating student progress, and additional lesson plans supplement the text. The history chapter has been brought up-to-date reflecting the state of the sport today. The third edition is available in loose-leaf form allowing the student to insert it into a three-ring notebook for ease in use.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

Benefits of Gymnastics
Preparing Yourself to Teach
Using This Text and Other Resources

Chapter 2: SAFETY DIRECTIVES AND INTRODUCTION TO THE APPARATUS

The Gym Environment
Mats and Skill Cushions
Vault
Spotting Blocks and Padded Trapezoids
Balance Beam
Uneven Bars
Other Equipment
Attire: Coaches and Gymnasts
Injury Management
Negligence
Study Questions

Chapter 3: SPOTTING

Mechanical Spotting Devices
Manual Spotting
Communication Skills and Class Organization
Study Questions

Chapter 4: WARM-UPS

Cardiovascular Conditioning
Stretches for Flexibility
Strengthening Warm-ups
Warm-ups for Pre-kindergarten and Early Elementary-age Children
Skill Charts for Warm-ups
Study Questions

Chapter 5: INVERTED BALANCES AND OTHER BALANCE SKILLS

Inverted Balances
High Balances
Low Balances
Suggested Skills
Study Questions

Chapter 6: ROLLING SKILLS

Introductory Rolls
Forward Rolling Skills
Backward Rolling Skills
Suggested Skills and Combinations
Study Questions

Chapter 7: FLEXIBILITY SKILLS

Skills Requiring Hamstring and Hip Flexibility
Skills Requiring Upper Back Flexibility
Sugested Skills
Study Questions

Chapter 8: SIDE TUMBLING AND HURDLE SKILLS

Cartwheels and Roundoffs
Hurdle Skills
Suggested Skills
Study Questions

Chapter 9: FLOOR EXERCISE SKILLS

Locomotor Skills
Turns
Jumps and leaps
Waves and Falls
Suggested Floor Exercise Combinations
Study Questions

Chapter 10: BEAT BOARD AND VAULTING SKILLS

Running and Beat Board Skills
Squat Vault
Straddle Vault
Handspring Vault
Suggested Skills
Study Questions

Chapter 11: BASIC BALANCE BEAM SKILLS

Low Balance Series
Other Mounts
Walking Patterns
Other Locomotor Movements
Turns
High Balances
Jumps and Leaps
Forward Rolls
Other Dismounts
Suggested Routines
Study Questions

Chapter 12: BASIC UNEVEN BAR SKILLS

Pre-Gymnastics Bar Skills
Mounts and Casts
Circling Skills
Single Leg Shoot Through
Swinging Skills
Dismounts
Suggested Routines
Study Questions

Chapter 13: LESSON PLANS AND SKILLS PROGRESSIONS

Six Week Segment for a First Grade Class
Six Week Segment for an Eighth Grade Class

Chapter 14: A BRIEF HISTORY OF GYMNASTICS

International Competitions
Gymnastics Governing Organizations
Study Questions

APPENDIX A: EXAM

SELECTED REFERENCES

INDEX

 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS . . .

Harriet R. Lihs began studying dance at the age of eight, and began gymnastics at the University of Colorado. She holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Iowa, and a Masters of Fine Arts degree from Smith College. She has coached gymnastics teams in Iowa and Texas and is a certified member of the National Association of Women's Gymnastics Judges. Currently, she directs the dance program at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. She is the author of three articles on "Dance for Gymnasts," published in the magazine Dance Teacher Now. She also authored Jazz Dance, now in its second edition, published by American Press, Boston, MA and Appreciating Dance: A Guide to the World's Liveliest Art, self-pubished.

R.K. Hurliman was Colorado State Champion in high school gymnastics in 1982. He was women's assistant coach at Fort Hays State University, Kansas, and has coached both men's and women's USAG teams in Texas, and also serves on the state board for USAG. Currently he is head coach at Southern Star Gymnastics, a private gym in Beaumont, Texas, and instructs teacher-training courses at Lamar University.