Counter-Balance Dynamics
Gymnastics
•Year 8
•6 Lessons
This unit explores the scientific principles of force, weight distribution and trust through advanced partner gymnastics. Students progress from individual body control to sophisticated collaborative balances, discovering how two or more bodies can create shapes impossible alone. Through systematic exploration of counter-balance and counter-tension, students develop physical literacy alongside essential partnership skills of communication, trust and synchronisation.
Lessons in This Unit
6 lessons in this unit
Lesson 1
Big Question:
How can body tension and precise control help us create stunning gymnastic balances that defy gravity?
Key Objectives:
- • Students will hold controlled balances on a variety of points and patches on different numbers of body parts
- • Students will link skills to perform smooth sequences of balanced movements
Lesson 2
Big Question:
How can two people work together to create balances that would be impossible alone?
Key Objectives:
- • To evaluate the work of others using correct technical language
- • To hold a range of symmetrical and asymmetrical counter balances at different levels with weight on a variety of points and patches
Lesson 3
Big Question:
How can understanding push and pull forces help you create perfectly balanced partnerships in gymnastics?
Key Objectives:
- • To perform various counter-balances with control and precision using push and pull forces
- • To link balances with travelling movements in smooth, flowing sequences
Lesson 4
Big Question:
How can we use counter tension principles to create fluid, synchronized partner sequences that demonstrate control, trust and artistic expression?
Key Objectives:
- • Link skills to perform actions and sequences of movement with control and precision
- • Work with a partner to perform symmetrical counter tension balances on a variety of body parts
Lesson 5
Big Question:
How can we use our body weight and our partner's strength to create visually stunning gymnastic sequences that flow seamlessly between different levels?
Key Objectives:
- • To evaluate the work of others using correct technical gymnastics language
- • To perform a sequence in canon at different levels linking asymmetrical counter balances with transitional moves
Lesson 6
Big Question:
How can we use our bodies cooperatively to create impressive group balances and sequences?
Key Objectives:
- • To perform asymmetrical counter balances in a group sequence using canon or unison
- • To develop leadership and cooperation skills in group gymnastics