Basic Terminology

Here are some basic terms and short definitions :

  • Asymmetrical - Having each side different.
  • Bridge - An arched position with the feet and hands on the floor and the abdomen up.
  • Cartwheel - Hand, hand, foot, foot in a sideways motion
  • Cast - Thrusting the legs backwards and upwards while maintaining a support position with extended arms.
  • Chasse' - A fancy name for a gallop. Can be done with arms extended to the sides or with hands on hips.
  • Dynamic balance - Balance while moving
  • Dismount - Getting off a piece of equipment
  • Front Scale - Upper body is lowered while the back leg is raised, balancing on one foot.
  • Inversion - upsidedown position in which the head is lower than the trunk
  • Knee Scale - A balance on 2 hands and 1 knee, with head up and one leg extended straight back
  • Layout - Body is straight and completely extended.
  • Leap - One foot takeoff and opposite foot landing
  • Locomotor skill - An element of movement; movement from place to place, such as walking, running, hopping, jumping, leaping, skipping, climbing, galloping, rolling, and sliding.
  • Mount - Getting on a piece of equipment
  • Non-locomotor skill - An element of movement; movement that does not involve locomotion, such as bending, curling, holding, lifting, pulling, pushing, stretching, swinging, twisting, and turning.
  • Pike - Legs together, hips flexed at the waist forming an "L" shape
  • Rebound- landing on the mat so that immediately upon touching the mat you bounce upward again
  • Roundoff - Started like a cartwheel, but legs are snapped together overhead and body is rotated 1/4 turn to end up facing the direction you started
  • Side Scale - One leg is raised to the side while lowering the upper body to the opposite side
  • Space awareness - An element of movement; being aware of personal and general space, directions, pathways, levels, and planes.
  • Static Balance - Stationary balance
  • Straddle - legs apart
  • Symmetrical - Having each side the same.
  • Tripod - Head and hands in a triangular shape with the knees on the elbows
  • Tuck - Body is curled with the hips flexed and the knees pulled up to the chest
  • V-Seat - Balance on the bottom with legs extended up forming the letter "V". Arms can be extended or used to help balance.

If you have comments or suggestions, email me at jewill@coastalnet.com


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