St. Mary's Physical Literacy
What is Physical Literacy?
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It can be described as having the motivation, confidence, movement knowledge and understanding to take part and enjoy physical activity throughout your life - from an adult to a child!
Watch this short video to find out more information----> |
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Here in St. Mary's we develop our physical literacy by focusing on one key Fundamental Movement Skill (listed below) a month. Each skill has a number of steps to practice. When we are able to do the skill with all the steps we will have mastered the skill and will become a _______ master e.g. Landing Master!
NOVEMBER'S FOCUS SKILL - LANDING
Why is landing an important skill to learn?
By developing our ability at absorbing force while landing we can reduce the impact of a fall or jump and lower the risk of injury.
Whether it is jumping to catch a ball in Gaelic Football, vaulting in gymnastics, jumping from a branch on a tree or jumping to header a ball in soccer it is essential that everybody learns how to land in a safe way.
By developing our ability at absorbing force while landing we can reduce the impact of a fall or jump and lower the risk of injury.
Whether it is jumping to catch a ball in Gaelic Football, vaulting in gymnastics, jumping from a branch on a tree or jumping to header a ball in soccer it is essential that everybody learns how to land in a safe way.
Landing Masters Secret Tip:
Show off your school crest SMILE at a person in front of you 
Landing Masters Secret Tip:
Land with your feet at either side of the 'box' |
Landing Masters Secret Tip:
Reach out front towards the wall 
Landing Masters Secret Tip:
Sit on a stool |
Landing Masters Secret Tip:
Sit on a stool 
Landing Masters Secret Tip:
Land gently like a mouse |
Practice Makes Perfect!
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I know it is very wet out so how about practicing your landing skill inside instead. Try practicing 10 landings and then teaching a family member at home.
Remember: *head up, stable and eyes looking straight ahead *arms should be stretched out in front to maintain balance *stomach should be pulled in and bum tucked under the body *land with the feet wide apart but still in a stable position *bend the knees *land on the feet in the order toes-ball-heel |
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DECEMBER'S FOCUS SKILL - BALANCING
Why is balancing an important skill to learn?
Balance is the ability to hold your body upright and steady without falling down!
Balance and coordination work hand in hand. Balance is the ability to maintain a controlled body position while performing tasks or activities. We need the ability to maintain controlled positions during both static (still) and dynamic (moving) activities.
Static Balance is being able to hold a certain position without moving.
Dynamic Balance is the ability to remain balanced while engaged in movement.
By developing our ability at balancing we can absorb an impact of a fall or jump and lower the risk of injury.
Balance is the ability to hold your body upright and steady without falling down!
Balance and coordination work hand in hand. Balance is the ability to maintain a controlled body position while performing tasks or activities. We need the ability to maintain controlled positions during both static (still) and dynamic (moving) activities.
Static Balance is being able to hold a certain position without moving.
Dynamic Balance is the ability to remain balanced while engaged in movement.
By developing our ability at balancing we can absorb an impact of a fall or jump and lower the risk of injury.
1)Balancing Masters Secret Tip:
Standing leg like a tree |
2)Balancing Masters Secret Tip:
Be a strong oak tree, don't let the wind blow you over |
3)Balancing Masters Secret Tip:
Make a V between your legs |
4)Landing Masters Secret Tip:
Look over your neighbours green hedge |
5)Landing Masters Secret Tip:
Arms like the wings of an aeroplane |
Practice Makes Perfect!
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Try practicing 10 balances and then teaching a family member at home.
Remember: *standing leg still, with foot flat on the ground *trunk stable and upright *non-standing leg bent and not touching the support leg *head stable with eyes focused forward on a target *arms as still as possible with no excessive movement - either at the side or extended to aid the balance |
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JANUARY'S FOCUS SKILL - HOPPING
Why is hopping an important skill to learn?
Only one foot is used to lift the body and a smaller base of support is involved. Therefore, greater leg strength and dynamic balance is required for hopping than jumping.
It is an important skill to develop and acquire for safe body management, for example when you are pushed off balance or 'lose your footing'.
Only one foot is used to lift the body and a smaller base of support is involved. Therefore, greater leg strength and dynamic balance is required for hopping than jumping.
It is an important skill to develop and acquire for safe body management, for example when you are pushed off balance or 'lose your footing'.
Practice Makes Perfect!
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Try practising 10 hops and then teaching a family member at home.
Remember: 1. Take off and land on the same foot, pushing off from the ball of the foot. 2. The support leg swings in rhythm with hopping leg. 3. Bend the hopping leg slightly on landing and straighten on take-off. 4. Arms bent at the elbow, swing back then vigorously forward and upwards to assist the leg action in providing force. 5. Head and trunk should be stable with the eyes focused forward. 6. Practise on both right and left legs to become proficient on both |
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1)Landing Masters Secret Tip:
Imagine the ball of your foot is a ‘bouncy ball’ |
2)Landing Masters Secret Tip:
Break the glass with your knee |
3)Landing Masters Secret Tip:
Hop like a Kangaroo softly and quietly. |
4)Landing Masters Secret Tip:
Lift the buckets |
5)Landing Masters Secret Tip:
Be a strong oak tree, don’t let the wind blow you to the side |
6)Landing Masters Secret Tip:
Practice, practice, practice |
MARCH'S FOCUS SKILL - JUMPING FOR DISTANCE
Why is jumping for distance an important skill to learn?
Jumping is the transfer of weight from one or two feet to two feet. It is sub-divided into two categories:
1) Jumping for Distance
2) Jumping for Height
Jumping for distance has three distinct phases: take off, flight and landing.
Jumping for distance, or the horizontal jump, involves jumping forwards as far as possible from two feet, landing on two feet. Jumping for distance plays a considerable role in many playground games such as hopscotch, and is a core skill of both gymnastics and dance. It is also a baseline skill used in a range of sport specific activities such as long jump, triple jump and aquatics.
This jump is important in using timing and rhythm to successfully coordinate both legs and arms, which dictates the distance of the jump.
Jumping is the transfer of weight from one or two feet to two feet. It is sub-divided into two categories:
1) Jumping for Distance
2) Jumping for Height
Jumping for distance has three distinct phases: take off, flight and landing.
Jumping for distance, or the horizontal jump, involves jumping forwards as far as possible from two feet, landing on two feet. Jumping for distance plays a considerable role in many playground games such as hopscotch, and is a core skill of both gymnastics and dance. It is also a baseline skill used in a range of sport specific activities such as long jump, triple jump and aquatics.
This jump is important in using timing and rhythm to successfully coordinate both legs and arms, which dictates the distance of the jump.
Practice Makes Perfect!
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Try practising 10 jumps for distance and then teaching a family member at home.
Remember: 1. Get into the 'ready' position by bending the knees, hips and ankles. 2. Head up and eye focused forwards. 3. Explode forward from the ready position. 4. Swing the arms back behind the body then quickly forwards and upwards. 5. Push off from both feet together, with the toes the last part of the body to leave the ground. 6. Legs straighten during the flight phase. 7. Land on both feet at the same time bending the hips, knees and ankles to absorb the impact. |
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1)Jumping Masters Secret Tip:
Get into 'frog' position ready to jump 
4)Jumping Masters Secret Tip:
Shoot your spider web into the sky |
2)Jumping Masters Secret Tip:
Look at the school wall 
5)Jumping Masters Secret Tip:
Push the ground away with the balls of your feet |
3)Jumping Masters Secret Tip:
Push the ground away 
6)Jumping Masters Secret Tip:
Legs Straighten for only a flash |
7)Jumping Masters Secret Tip:
Sit back on to a stool as you land
Sit back on to a stool as you land
APRIL'S FOCUS SKILL - KICKING
Why is kicking an important skill to learn?
Striking with the foot or kicking is a manipulative skill synonymous with many sporting activities in Ireland. Kicking a moving object, foot dribbling, trapping and punting are all components of striking with the foot.
When a ball is kicked, force is applied to the ball from the foot causing it to move in the direction the force is applied. The more force applied, the further the ball will travel.
Kicking is an important skill to develop and acquire for developing coordination between the foot and the eye. Activities that use the skill of kicking include rugby, soccer, gaelic football and Australian rules football.
Striking with the foot or kicking is a manipulative skill synonymous with many sporting activities in Ireland. Kicking a moving object, foot dribbling, trapping and punting are all components of striking with the foot.
When a ball is kicked, force is applied to the ball from the foot causing it to move in the direction the force is applied. The more force applied, the further the ball will travel.
Kicking is an important skill to develop and acquire for developing coordination between the foot and the eye. Activities that use the skill of kicking include rugby, soccer, gaelic football and Australian rules football.
Practice Makes Perfect!
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Try practising 10 kicks and then teaching a family member at home.
Remember: 1. Approach the ball from behind and slightly to the side 2. Place their non-kicking foot to the side of the ball 3. Bring the kicking leg forward fast, making contact with the ball using the shoe laces or instep of the foot 4. Swing the arm opposite the kicking leg forward and sideways 5. Follow through afterwards in the direction of the target 6. Ensure that the trunk leans forward and the arm opposite the kicking leg swings forward during contact. 7. Follow through in the direction of the target. |
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1)Kicking Masters Secret Tip:
Kick from around the bend |
2)Kicking Masters Secret Tip:
Step beside the ball |
3)Kicking Masters Secret Tip:
Get the leg ready to pull the trigger |
4)Kicking Masters Secret Tip:
Shoelaces to the ball |
5)Kicking Masters Secret Tip:
Chop across the ball |
6)Kicking Masters Secret Tip:
Keep your eyes on the ball |
7)Kicking Masters Secret Tip:
Foot follows the ball
Foot follows the ball