PE Platform Logo

This unit introduces Year 5 students to the sophisticated gymnastics concepts of counter balance and counter tension, where partners work together to create balances impossible to achieve alone. Through collaborative exploration and sequence development, students develop trust, communication, and body awareness whilst mastering the biomechanics of shared weight and opposing forces. The unit emphasises both technical precision and creative expression, culminating in confident partner performances.

Lessons in This Unit

6 lessons in this unit

Lesson 1

Introduction to Counter Balance
1h

Big Question:

How can we use our partner's body weight and strength to create amazing balances that would be impossible alone?

Key Objectives:

  • • To understand and demonstrate the concept of counter balance in gymnastics
  • • To create excellent, interesting counter balances with a partner using different levels and connection points

Lesson 2

Counter Balance Application on Apparatus
45 min

Big Question:

How can we apply our counter balance skills to apparatus and create fluid, excellent movements?

Key Objectives:

  • • To transfer counter balance skills from floor work onto gymnastics apparatus
  • • To explore ways to move out of counter balances and off apparatus with control and flow

Lesson 3

Counter Balance Sequence Development
45 min

Big Question:

How can we create flowing gymnastic sequences that demonstrate excellent counter balance techniques?

Key Objectives:

  • • Apply excellent gymnastics principles to developing counter balance sequences
  • • Create smooth transitions between balances and travelling movements

Lesson 4

Counter Tension Balances
45 min

Big Question:

How can we use counter tension to create excellent and interesting gymnastic balances with our partners?

Key Objectives:

  • • To understand and apply the concept of counter tension in paired gymnastics balances
  • • To create interesting counter tension balances using different levels and connection points

Lesson 5

Counter Balance and Counter Tension Sequence Completion
1h

Big Question:

How can we create flowing gymnastics sequences that demonstrate excellent counter balance and counter tension techniques?

Key Objectives:

  • • Apply excellent gymnastics principles to complete counter balance and counter tension sequences
  • • Demonstrate understanding of flow and transition between different apparatus and balance types

Lesson 6

Counter Balance and Counter Tension Performance
45 min

Big Question:

How can we demonstrate mastery of counter balance and counter tension through confident performance?

Key Objectives:

  • • To perform completed sequences with excellent technique and flow
  • • To demonstrate counter balance and counter tension skills confidently