Jumping
Stages of Development
Teaching and Learning
The jump for distance (broad jump) and jump for height (vertical jump) have been combined here as they have similar phases and components. Jumping should be introduced in Kindergarten/Pre-school and children will be expected to master the skill by the end of Year 3. It is a good skill to assess a child’s timing and rhythm as they need to coordinate their arms and legs to be able to jump effectively.
Teaching cues
- Land like you are riding a motorbike – arms forward, ankles, knees and hips bent, feet apart
- Land as quiet as a mouse
- Start with your arms stretched behind you like a superhero
- Swing & Spring
- Reach for a star and bring it down again (for vertical jumps)
Teaching strategies
- Start by teaching landing – jump off a small height or into a sandpit and practice landing like you are riding a motorbike
- Experiment with different types of jumping – into hoops, jump for a target, over small hurdles, into long jump pits, in jumping sacks
- Children can get very easily fatigued when performing continuous jumps so mix jumping up with running and other locomotor activities
- Play a fun jumping game such as Lilypads and Leapfrogs and Hula Hoop Car Trip
- Design a jumping Obstacle Course. Try jumping over rivers, onto rocks and up to trees, then let the children design their own course.
- Encourage children to keep their eyes focused forward while performing jumps
- Focus on the use of the arms in the jump, the ‘swing and spring’ to generate power
- Try jumping against a wall and marking with chalk how high you can jump
- Try setting up a range of jumping stations for children to explore all the different types of jumping e.g., jumping sacks, long jump, jump for height, skipping ropes, and hurdles to jump over
- Use chalk or markers to set up a range of Jumping Patterns for children to try
- Have fun playing Jump Jump and Where’s My Cheese using Jumping as the focus
- Try jumping for distance into a long jump pit. Focus on improving children's personal best distance.
- Introduce skipping ropes and try different types of jumping using the skipping ropes
- Utilise jumping into a sport setting – try jumping for rebounds in netball or basketball. Emphasise the use of the arms.
- Play jumping games such as Rock, Bridge,Tree tag and Hurdle Relay
Skill criteria
- Eyes focused forward (broad jump) or upward (vertical jump) during jump.
- Ankles, knees and hips bend
- Arms swing behind the body
- Forceful forward and upward swing of the arms
- Legs straighten in the air
- Ankles, knees and hips bend on landing
- Controlled landing with no more than one step in any direction
Common errors
- Arms and legs not in time
- Taking off on one foot
- Not using arms at all
- Looking at ground
- Not bending the ankles, knees and hips on landing
Skill usage
