Gymnastics Jumps Off the Bench

Gymnastics jumps from a low gym bench onto mats: straight, star, tuck, and half turn, always finishing with a controlled landing inside a hoop. It builds the flight phase, safe landings, and body control in the air.

How to play

1. Set up 3 gym benches with 2 mats in front of each and a hoop on the mat about 3 feet from the bench. Groups of 8 or 9 per bench, lined up behind it.
2. Teach the 'cat landing' (2 min): feet together, knees bent, arms forward, hold still for 2 seconds. Everyone practices from the floor.
3. Jump 1, straight jump (3 min): from the bench, jump with arms up and body long, landing inside the hoop like a cat.
4. Jump 2, star jump (3 min): open arms and legs in the air and bring them together before landing.
5. Jump 3, tuck jump (3 min): knees to chest in the air, then stretch out to land. Jump 4, half turn (3 min): turn in the air and land facing the bench.
6. Final challenge (4 min): each student picks two jumps and links them (jump, land, back to the bench, second jump). The group gives a thumbs up if the landing was still and inside the hoop.

Rules

• Only one student on the bench at a time; the next one climbs up when the hoop is clear.
• Always land on both feet with knees bent.
• No jumping backward and no flips.
• Mats must touch with no folds.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: make the jump shapes seated (star, tuck, straight) and hold them for 3 seconds.
• Visual impairment: let the student feel the bench edge and clap to show where to land.
• Larger body size or nerves: jump from the floor and hold the teacher's hand to step up on the bench.

Learning goals

• Perform different gymnastics jumps while controlling body shape in the air.
• Use a safe landing technique.
• Link two jumps while keeping good form.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym bench: 3
• mats: 6
• hoops: 3

Teacher tip

Use the bench upside down only for very confident students; for most, right side up is more stable. Watch the knees on landing: they shouldn't cave inward.

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