Motor Control
Primary 6 · Physical Education
Motor Control
Lesson 3 of 3
25 min
Let's begin
Ishimwe can do a neat forward roll. But when he tries to roll backwards, he gets stuck on his shoulders with his legs in the air, like a beetle on its back. His friends giggle, and so does he.
What is the trick? In P4 you learned the log roll, the egg roll and the forward roll. Today you will make your forward roll smoother, learn the backward roll, and try two new sideways rolls.
A roll is the most basic skill in gymnastics. Your body turns all the way over while you stay close to the ground. Rolls link gymnastics moves together, and they also teach you to fall safely. That is why footballers, judo players and goalkeepers practise them too.
Go further: link two forward rolls in a row. Or finish in a straddle: open your legs wide as you come round, put your hands on the mat between your legs and push up to stand.
First learn the rocker: sit in a tuck, then rock back onto your round back with your hands beside your ears, palms up. Touch your hands flat on the mat behind your shoulders, then rock forwards again. Do this 5 times.
Easier first: roll backwards down a gentle slope, such as a grassy bank or a mat laid over a folded mat. The slope helps you over. Your teacher may kneel beside the mat and lift gently at your hips as you go over. A helper like this is called a spotter, and you will learn more about spotting in the gymnastics unit.
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Stuck on your shoulders in the backward roll | Keep your chin tucked and push hard through both hands |
| Landing on your knees after a backward roll | Stay in a tight tuck until your feet touch the mat |
| Rolling crooked, off the side of the mat | Put both hands down at the same time and push evenly |
| Pushing on the mat to stand up after a forward roll | Reach your arms forwards and keep your heels close to your bottom |
Make a short sequence of three different rolls. Start in a still shape, link the rolls smoothly, and finish in a still shape for 3 seconds. Then show it to a partner, and let them tell you one thing you did well and one thing to improve.
Mirror rolls: two pupils on mats side by side do the same rolls at the same time, starting on a "Ready, go!".
Lie on your back in a long pencil shape and stretch from fingertips to toes. Then hug your knees to your chest and rock gently from side to side. Breathe slowly in and out 5 times.
Warning
Stay safe
Tip
"Chin in, stay round, push!"
For the backward roll, make "tray hands": hold your hands by your ears, palms up, as if you were carrying a tray of mandazi over each shoulder. Then push the tray away!
Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.
In a backward roll, where are your hands as you start to roll?
Answer: Beside your ears, palms up, fingers pointing back over your shoulders.
In a forward roll, which part of your body takes your weight as you go over?
Answer: Your shoulders and round back. Never the top of your head.
Ishimwe gets stuck on his shoulders in his backward roll. What two things should he change?
Answer: Keep his chin tucked and his body round, and push hard through both hands so his head can pass through.
What is the difference between a pencil roll and a teddy bear roll?
Answer: In a pencil roll you lie long and straight, arms above your head, and roll sideways. In a teddy bear roll you sit with legs wide, hold below your knees and roll over your back to the other side.
Plan a sequence of three different rolls with a start and a finish shape.
Answer: For example: start in a pencil shape, forward roll, teddy bear roll, backward roll, then finish standing tall with arms up.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Quick check
Put the steps of the backward roll in order.
Tap the cards in the right order.
