Straddle Jump
The straddle jump is a powerful gymnastics skill that develops flexibility and body control in the air. It involves jumping vertically and kicking both legs out to the sides, aiming to make a wide "V" shape. The arms reach forward or out to the sides for balance. The straddle jump can be introduced in Year 3 and 4, and is a great progression for linking to other jumping and turning skills in gymnastics routines.
Teaching cues
- Bend and swing: bend your knees and swing your arms back.
- Jump and kick: jump up high and kick your legs out wide like a big 'V'.
- Motorbike landing: land softly with bent knees and arms in front to balance.
Teaching strategies
- Practice sitting or standing leg straddles to build flexibility.
- Start with small jumps, focusing on kicking legs wide and controlling the landing.
- Use markers on the ground to aim for wide leg positions.
- Practice jumps in front of mirrors to help children see their leg shape.
- Encourage proper arm swing to increase power and height of jump.
- Incorporate straddle jumps into gymnastics movement sequences or routines.
- Introduce a run-up or dismount straddle jump (running and jumping, or jumping from a low height onto the ground).
Skill criteria
- Legs kick out wide in a straight “V” shape.
- Arms swing up to support balance and height.
- Body stays upright and controlled.
- Soft landing with knees bent and arms in front.
Common errors
- Legs not straight.
- Not kicking wide enough.
- Leaning too far forward in the air.
- Losing balance on landing.
- Not swinging arms back before take-off, reducing power and height of jump.
