Forward Roll with a Rubric and Peer Video Review

Students polish the forward roll working in trios with the roles of performer, spotter and camera operator. They review their roll in slow motion with a four-point rubric and choose a single fix to work on.

How to play

1. Review the progression: tuck rocks and a roll down an incline made by folding one mat under another (4 min).
2. Introduce the rubric: hands shoulder-width apart, chin to chest, roll over a rounded back without touching the top of the head, and stand up without hands (3 min).
3. In trios, 4 attempts each: the spotter kneels alongside, guides the back of the neck with one hand and gently pushes the back of the thighs with the other; the third student films from the side (8 min).
4. Watch in slow motion and score with the rubric; each performer picks one point to improve (5 min).
5. Another set of 3 attempts focused on that point and a second video to compare before and after (5 min).

Rules

• Never land on the top of the head: contact is with the back of the neck and the back.
• Only one person on the mat at a time; everyone else waits off it.
• Mat lanes have no gaps and are 6 feet apart.
• Videos are only watched in class and deleted at the end of the session.
• Anyone with neck discomfort stays with tuck rocks and the spotted incline.

Variations

Adaptations

• Higher body weight: works on a steeper incline with two spotters guiding the hips.
• Hearing impairment: the rubric includes photos of each point and video replaces spoken explanations.
• Anxiety about rolling: starts as camera operator and spotter and only does tuck rocks until ready to try.

Learning goals

• Perform a forward roll with safe technique.
• Analyze one's own performance with objective criteria and video.
• Spot a partner correctly and responsibly.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 12
• tablets or phones: 8
• worksheets: 25

Teacher tip

Before starting, check that spotters place their hands correctly: that is what best protects the neck. Remember to have students delete the videos at the end.

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