Mini Trampoline Twist Jumps
After rehearsing on the floor, students jump off the mini trampoline adding quarter, half, and full twists around the long axis of the body. They work on air awareness, controlling the twist with eyes and arms, and managing fear.
How to play
- Place the mini trampoline with a crash mat in front and, off to one side, a mat area for floor practice. Split the class into 4 groups that rotate: one on the mini trampoline and three practicing (2 min).
- Floor practice: straight jumps with a quarter, half, and full turn, eyes on a spot on the wall before and after the turn (4 min).
- Mini trampoline, no twist: three-step approach, two-foot takeoff in the center of the bed, and a straight jump with a stuck landing (4 min).
- Mini trampoline with a half turn: the same jump, turning in the air to land facing back toward the trampoline; arms lift together to start the twist (5 min).
- Pick your challenge: each student chooses a quarter, half, or full twist and tries it three times; the group watches whether they land balanced and facing the right way (5 min).
Rules
- Twist while staying vertical; never lean forward or backward.
- Only one jumper at a time, and the teacher always stands by the crash mat.
- Land with feet together, knees bent, and arms forward.
- Nobody tries a full twist before sticking a half twist.
Variations
Easier
Do only quarter turns with no approach run.
Standard
Progress to a half twist with a short run and a stuck landing.
Harder
Try a full twist, or a half twist after a tuck shape.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: practice trunk rotations and wheelchair spins at different speeds, checking the final direction.
- Hearing impairment: agree on a visual hand signal to show the crash mat is clear.
- Fitness level: anxious students jump with no twist until they feel ready; nobody is forced to twist.
Learning goals
- Perform jumps with a twist around the body's long axis.
- Stay oriented in the air using the eyes and arms.
- Recognize and manage fear by choosing an appropriate challenge.
Equipment for a class of 25
- mini trampoline: 1
- crash mat: 1
- mats: 8
Teacher tip
Arms held wide slow the twist, so cue students to pull them in tight. If someone lands disoriented, send them back to floor practice instead of repeating on the trampoline.
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