Linking Stations: No Stop Between Skills

Four stations with one specific link each: forward roll to straight jump, cartwheel to half turn, backward roll to shoulder stand, shoulder stand to roll up standing. The focus is flow: the end of one skill is the start of the next.

How to play

1. Explain the four stations and quickly demo each link (4 min).
2. Rotate through the four stations in groups of six, 5 minutes each (20 min).
3. Each student picks their best link and repeats it three times (3 min).
4. Share out: which body position "connects" the two skills in each link (3 min).

Rules

• Practice each link separately first, then together.
• One person per mat; whoever waits stays behind the cone.
• At the backward roll station, spotters hold the hips.
• Switch stations on the signal, walking.

Variations

Adaptations

• Neck injury: swap rolls for sideways log rolls at those stations.
• Hesitant students: do the paused version and choose their spotter.
• Deaf students: a picture card of the link at each station.

Learning goals

• Link two gymnastics skills smoothly.
• Identify the position that joins the skills.
• Spot a partner on the links that need it.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 16
• cones: 8
• skill cards: 4

Teacher tip

Post a picture card of each link at the head of the station. Typical mistake: standing all the way up between skills; teach them to use the in-between position (squat, sitting) as a bridge.

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