Foundational Skills

Basic Body Positions

Variations of Straight Body Stride

Other variations of a straight body include the initiation lunge, finish lunge, stride, and gymnastics point where there is some flexion of one knee or the legs are straight but separated with one foot in front of the other.  These skills are mostly used to begin or end a skill and often help give momentum or assist in balance.  The stride is used in many skills such as a walkover, mill circle on bars, etc.

Verbal/Linguistic

Stand on the floor with one leg in front of other leg as if standing on a line. 
The torso is vertical. 
The chest, ribcage and abdominals are lifted. 
Legs are slightly turned out. 
Weight is centered. 

Visual/Spatial

Head position is neutral 
Body shape of torso and legs looks like an upside down ìYî if viewed from the side


Logical/Mathematical

Make a straight line with the upper body 
Keep hips and shoulder square 
Legs are apart 30 - 45 degrees

Bodily/Kinesthetic

Feel weight evenly distributed 
Feel abdominal and buttock muscles tight 
Feel arms straight and above head 
Feel upper arms touching the sides of the head 
Feel torso tight in front and in back 
Feel rib cage lifted

Common Errors

Loose, saggy body 
Weight not centered 
Head not in line with the body 
Loose abdominal and buttock muscles

Back To Basic Body Positions