The principles and rules of describing gymnastic exercises
The third principle of this specific language is to describe gymnastic exercises and workouts.
- The aim of description in this context primarily means precision, accuracy and changeless explanations and interpretations;
- The description of gymnastic exercises and performances are listed in a specified sequence;
- The starting position should be defined (posture, relation to a partner or devices, positions of arms, hands, legs, torso and feet). No punctuation marks should be used after describing a starting position. For example, starting position straddle.
- Showing the number of movement schedule.
- Specifying the number movements. After rhythm/ tempo colon should be put (rhythm/ tempo:). For example, 1-2. rhythm/ tempo: twisting torso to the left 2X; 3-4. rhythm/ tempo: 1-2. rhythm/ tempo clockwise.
- Specifying the exact and brief description of the whole body or parts of body:
Specifying the movements of the body and body parts, for example, circling arms forward, bending torso backward;
Specifying the direction of movements/ motions: for example, arm circling forward, bending torso backward;
Specifying the extent, the quantity of movements and the number of after movements (it should be indicated with a number and with X its frequency, for example, circling arms forward 2X, bending torso backward 3X);
The finishing position must be defined if it is different from the starting position;
- The repetition of rhythm/ tempo should be indicated as well as their contrariwise phases, for example, 3. tempo/ rhythm: like the 1. tempo/ rhythm:, or 3-4. tempo/ rhythm: 1-2 tempo/ rhythm contrariwise;
- The relationship between the elements should also be shown;
- There are simultaneous and sequential relationships;
- Simultaneous relationship means when students’ different body parts execute different movements at the same time;
- When describing the movements that are performed at the same time the sequence of basic forms are separated with a coma. The most important, main element should be shown first and the other elements are connected to these emphasized ones with the affix “with”, for example, stepping out into straddle with circling arms and lifting arms over the head;
- As long as an other body part is also involved in the exercise then this new relationship should be connected to the other ones with the “and” conjunction, for example, jumping up with circling arms lifting them over the head and swinging leg forward;
- Sequential relationship. The description of these basic elements should be listed as they were performed one after the other. In this case semicolon must be used.
- Finally the finishing position should be specified and punctuation mark: point should be put after the expression of finishing position.
General rules of describing exercises and groups of practices
- Exercises must be entitled referring to the content, the aim of the exercises and their impact on body.
- It is advised to give the target group, or/ and age group. The title can also indicate the exercise type and devices, for example, barbell exercises with 48 rhythms for 8th grade students, or developing girls’ shoulder joint mobility.
- The exercises are divided up into smaller functional units and they are subtitled. Here content, function and effects of exercises are also indicated. etc.
- In case of exercises where pace, rhythm/ tempos are given a number must be attached to them and they are described in details, from rhythm to rhythm.
- Positions, movements and motions are specified with appropriate terms.
- These details and descriptions should support the understanding of professionals, instructors and trainers.
- These exercises are performed at almost every PE class, for example, in cases of warm ups.
The aims, tasks and rules of warm ups can be followed and checked in the work of László Honfi, 2011, Gymnastics pp 204 – 2012.
http://tamop412a.ttk.pte.hu/TSI/Honfi%20Laszlo%20-%20Gimnasztika/Gimnasztika.pdf