Tumbling Links Between Acrosport Stunts
Groups of four connect two acrosport stunts with individual tumbling elements such as a forward roll, a cartwheel, a log roll or a half-turn jump. Students work on creativity, flow and blending gymnastics skills into a composition.
How to play
- Groups of four with a runway of three mats in a row. Each group picks two stunts it already knows: stunt A at the start of the runway and stunt B at the end.
- Link menu (3 minutes): show four options and each student picks one they can do: log roll, forward roll, cartwheel or half-turn jump.
- Build (8 minutes): after breaking down stunt A, each member performs a link down the runway, one after another or side by side in lanes, and the group regroups to build stunt B.
- The group decides the order and a shared final pose; rehearse the full sequence at least three times.
- Peer check (4 minutes): each group performs for another group and receives one tip on flow or safety.
- Final showcase (5 minutes): all groups present and the class applauds the most original transition.
Rules
- Each student chooses their own link: no one has to perform an element they cannot do.
- Only one person per mat lane at a time to avoid collisions.
- Stunts A and B must be low or mid-height.
- Wait for the previous student to leave the mat before starting your link.
Variations
Easier
Use only log rolls and forward rolls down an incline as links.
Standard
Combine two stunts with links chosen from a menu of four elements.
Harder
Perform the links in synchronized pairs and add a third stunt with a different link.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: travel with a personal move, such as rolling or spinning in a wheelchair, and be a seated base in stunt B.
- Autism or shyness: provide a picture card of the sequence and let the student choose their spot.
- Lower tumbling level: choose a log roll or crawling as the link.
Learning goals
- Compose a sequence that combines stunts and tumbling elements.
- Perform a tumbling element smoothly between two stunts.
- Make group decisions about order, timing and ending.
Equipment for a class of 25
- mats: 18
Teacher tip
Many groups lose time regrouping before stunt B: have them pick their spots with their eyes before they start. Make sure no one chooses a link because of group pressure.
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