Gymnastics Teaching Safely To
Students
By Rory
Mahon
Safety is the main thing to consider when
teaching students/children Gymnastics or any kind of activity involving
equipment or physical involvement. The first step in keeping all students
safely active is providing them with an environment free from unnecessary
hazards. You can help by ensuring that the area you are teaching in is firstly
clear from any objects that may cause harm, and that all equipment that you use
is properly maintained and by ensuring that every participant knows and follows
all rules and safety procedures before starting the session. Gymnastics is a
physically demanding sport that requires full supervision and guidance,
particularly for young children. It is also vital that you discuss the
importance of the following instructions as well as proper clothing and
protective gear for each gymnastics session.
Provide adequate warm-up before engaging in vigorous activity. As
students move into Stage 2 and again into Stage 3, stretching becomes an
increasingly important component of warm-up routines.
Incorporate a cool-down routine at the completion of
activity.
Have a clear, predetermined signal to stop all students
moving. This may be a whistle, a verbal cue or a visual cue such as the teacher
raising an arm above their head.
Check that equipment is in good condition before use and select
appropriate equipment for each task.
Use an appropriate surface for each activity and ensure that the
area is free of obstacles.
Use space effectively by limiting the number of students using
an area.
Teach students to be aware of others when moving about a
space.
Students should be encouraged to wear clothing that allows for
freedom of movement and to wear appropriate footwear, such as sports shoes for
indoor and outdoor activities. Particular caution is required with jumping and landing
activities.
Teaching Safely Equipment And
Apparatus
Equipment and apparatus are vital when
teaching gymnastics to children or any age group, because it has to be safe to
perform on and have a soft surface for the impact of landing. Each piece of
equipment has its own safety rules and specific checks to ensure a persons
safety at all times when performing. The manufactures of gymnastics apparatus
usually inform coaches and gymnasium staff of the correct checks to be carried
out and gaining coaching qualifications develops the coaches understanding of
safe techniques. This still falls onto the person teaching the gymnastics its
not good enough that the manufactures “usually” tell the coaches and gymnasium
staff of the checks to be carried out you cannot just expect them to, you must
ensure all safety rules yourself.
Also gymnasts and kids should understand how
to fall from any apparatus safely when attempting new skills. Safety mats assist
when learning new skills in all disciplines of gymnastics. Landing mats should
surround the apparatus to ensure a safe landing area. Both types of mats are
commonly made from layered foam and are specially made to absorb the impact of
high – level skills, and can vary in density or thickness. Gymnastics equipment
manufactures design and sells a large variety of equipment to assist in
practicing gymnastics safely. In using the additional safety mats on the floor
and keeping an area covered, trampoline or specific apparatus, the kids are
protected from repetitive and more serious injuries.
Teaching Safely Rules And
Guidelines
The rules and guidelines of teaching
Gymnastics are the most important and should be the most highlighted area.
Safety is paramount in all gymnastics clubs, and many rules are common practice.
Rules should have the following implemented removal of attire, or jewelry, and
the reporting of accidents. These rules can differ from venue to venue, but are
all intended to protect the participants. The health and safety of each
participant is paramount. This includes ensuring so far as is reasonably
practicable that the place in which the gymnastics activity, training or
coaching takes place, and the equipment again and facilities used, are safe.
Coaches must ensure correct physical preparation so gymnasts are ready for
exercise and ready to complete the skills at any level. The general welfare of
any gymnast should be assessed first before taking part. A warm up session and a
cool down period should be a part of any practice routine or competition. A
gymnast’s development should be logical and follow steady progressions to ensure
safety. Children’s rules are the ones to be reinforced from time to time,
special attention is given to children’s contest programs, education and
training and ensuring their overall health and safety. Child protection rules
have become more prominent in all aspects of gymnastics venues and training. One
of the main rules in child protection is not allowing young gymnasts to leave a
venue alone, or with an unfamiliar adult. Any welfare issue should be reported
to a clubs welfare officer, or supervisor on duty at the time. These rules
should be very much common sense to all teachers of gymnastics or anyone working
in the sporting environment. All gymnastics equipment should be used properly
and with supervision only. Mats should be used to protect gymnasts at all times.
Coaches must be familiar with the equipment to use it correctly. The safety of
gymnasts and coaches is ensured by regular equipment checks, care should be
taken to use the most suitable equipment for the discipline and ability of the
gymnasts. An accurate record of all injuries and actions should be maintained
and kept up todate. Coaches and clubs are better covered legally by reporting
all accidents a first aid room or area should be part of any gymnastic class,
and qualified first aid administrators at gyms or venues are also a very good
idea to implement safety of all participants. Safety is something that is not
highlighted in most sports but in gymnastics it is critical because you can
easily pick up a serious injury with the way your body is moving or landing and
it is putting a lot of pressure on some of the strong and weak joints of your
body, this is why rules and guidelines must be followed by every coach and
club, and venue they should reinforce these
regularly.
Teaching Safely Safety
Actions
Safety actions are important and all
participants should be aware of all the safety actions in the environment
around them which include fire drills, fire exits, meeting points etc. It is
vital that they are all shown and that the fire drills are practiced regularly
to keep it fresh in peoples minds in the case of emergency. They should also be
thought that they always go to the nearest exit to them in an emergency and
wait at the meeting point outlined, and never ever return for any belongings
unless it is safe to do so and confirmed by a fire officer. Research reports
that nearly 27,000 gymnasts are hospitalized each year, making it one of the
most dangerous sports out there. To reduce the risk of injury and increase
enjoyment, follow safety rules to protect gymnasts and coaches. The
International Gymnastics Federation’s Code Of Ethics says “its designated
agents or committees must ensure safe and appropriate conditions and provide
athletes with good medical care for their physical and moral well-being”.
Research also found nearly 70,000 children under 14 ended up in emergency rooms
in 2007 with gymnastic related injuries. This just cannot be happening if the
safety actions and procedures are in place, if it is still happening then it is
careless instructors or people been hired to teach with no significant
qualifications for teaching gymnastics. Getting into the so-called zone also
does not require that you become oblivious to other gymnasts or your
surroundings. Maintain an awareness of what people around you are doing and
give them room also, try and find your own personal space and stick to it.
Coaches should also keep enforcing that gymnasts drink plenty of fluids before,
during and after the sessions. If they feel dizzy, or weak or have a pain then
they should stop their session. And then if the condition persists or gets
worse then get medical help. Properly maintain equipment for safety as well as ease of use. Mats
should not have tears. To prevent tripping and collision hazards, store
equipment properly when not in use. Take special precautions with gym climbing
ropes. To prevent unsupervised climbing, install a rope hoist with a lock box to
keep students from accessing the hoist controls, this will act as a safety
precaution. Staff should control access to the gymnastics hall when they are not
present to prevent unsupervised use. Keep a limit to the number of people
processing keys and prohibit duplication of keys, maybe just let
supervisors/coaches have a key each for opening up early training days to set up
for the activity. This way then each person knows who can access the area and
who cannot, and just prevents unnecessary accidents taken place.
Students
By Rory
Mahon
Safety is the main thing to consider when
teaching students/children Gymnastics or any kind of activity involving
equipment or physical involvement. The first step in keeping all students
safely active is providing them with an environment free from unnecessary
hazards. You can help by ensuring that the area you are teaching in is firstly
clear from any objects that may cause harm, and that all equipment that you use
is properly maintained and by ensuring that every participant knows and follows
all rules and safety procedures before starting the session. Gymnastics is a
physically demanding sport that requires full supervision and guidance,
particularly for young children. It is also vital that you discuss the
importance of the following instructions as well as proper clothing and
protective gear for each gymnastics session.
Provide adequate warm-up before engaging in vigorous activity. As
students move into Stage 2 and again into Stage 3, stretching becomes an
increasingly important component of warm-up routines.
Incorporate a cool-down routine at the completion of
activity.
Have a clear, predetermined signal to stop all students
moving. This may be a whistle, a verbal cue or a visual cue such as the teacher
raising an arm above their head.
Check that equipment is in good condition before use and select
appropriate equipment for each task.
Use an appropriate surface for each activity and ensure that the
area is free of obstacles.
Use space effectively by limiting the number of students using
an area.
Teach students to be aware of others when moving about a
space.
Students should be encouraged to wear clothing that allows for
freedom of movement and to wear appropriate footwear, such as sports shoes for
indoor and outdoor activities. Particular caution is required with jumping and landing
activities.
Teaching Safely Equipment And
Apparatus
Equipment and apparatus are vital when
teaching gymnastics to children or any age group, because it has to be safe to
perform on and have a soft surface for the impact of landing. Each piece of
equipment has its own safety rules and specific checks to ensure a persons
safety at all times when performing. The manufactures of gymnastics apparatus
usually inform coaches and gymnasium staff of the correct checks to be carried
out and gaining coaching qualifications develops the coaches understanding of
safe techniques. This still falls onto the person teaching the gymnastics its
not good enough that the manufactures “usually” tell the coaches and gymnasium
staff of the checks to be carried out you cannot just expect them to, you must
ensure all safety rules yourself.
Also gymnasts and kids should understand how
to fall from any apparatus safely when attempting new skills. Safety mats assist
when learning new skills in all disciplines of gymnastics. Landing mats should
surround the apparatus to ensure a safe landing area. Both types of mats are
commonly made from layered foam and are specially made to absorb the impact of
high – level skills, and can vary in density or thickness. Gymnastics equipment
manufactures design and sells a large variety of equipment to assist in
practicing gymnastics safely. In using the additional safety mats on the floor
and keeping an area covered, trampoline or specific apparatus, the kids are
protected from repetitive and more serious injuries.
Teaching Safely Rules And
Guidelines
The rules and guidelines of teaching
Gymnastics are the most important and should be the most highlighted area.
Safety is paramount in all gymnastics clubs, and many rules are common practice.
Rules should have the following implemented removal of attire, or jewelry, and
the reporting of accidents. These rules can differ from venue to venue, but are
all intended to protect the participants. The health and safety of each
participant is paramount. This includes ensuring so far as is reasonably
practicable that the place in which the gymnastics activity, training or
coaching takes place, and the equipment again and facilities used, are safe.
Coaches must ensure correct physical preparation so gymnasts are ready for
exercise and ready to complete the skills at any level. The general welfare of
any gymnast should be assessed first before taking part. A warm up session and a
cool down period should be a part of any practice routine or competition. A
gymnast’s development should be logical and follow steady progressions to ensure
safety. Children’s rules are the ones to be reinforced from time to time,
special attention is given to children’s contest programs, education and
training and ensuring their overall health and safety. Child protection rules
have become more prominent in all aspects of gymnastics venues and training. One
of the main rules in child protection is not allowing young gymnasts to leave a
venue alone, or with an unfamiliar adult. Any welfare issue should be reported
to a clubs welfare officer, or supervisor on duty at the time. These rules
should be very much common sense to all teachers of gymnastics or anyone working
in the sporting environment. All gymnastics equipment should be used properly
and with supervision only. Mats should be used to protect gymnasts at all times.
Coaches must be familiar with the equipment to use it correctly. The safety of
gymnasts and coaches is ensured by regular equipment checks, care should be
taken to use the most suitable equipment for the discipline and ability of the
gymnasts. An accurate record of all injuries and actions should be maintained
and kept up todate. Coaches and clubs are better covered legally by reporting
all accidents a first aid room or area should be part of any gymnastic class,
and qualified first aid administrators at gyms or venues are also a very good
idea to implement safety of all participants. Safety is something that is not
highlighted in most sports but in gymnastics it is critical because you can
easily pick up a serious injury with the way your body is moving or landing and
it is putting a lot of pressure on some of the strong and weak joints of your
body, this is why rules and guidelines must be followed by every coach and
club, and venue they should reinforce these
regularly.
Teaching Safely Safety
Actions
Safety actions are important and all
participants should be aware of all the safety actions in the environment
around them which include fire drills, fire exits, meeting points etc. It is
vital that they are all shown and that the fire drills are practiced regularly
to keep it fresh in peoples minds in the case of emergency. They should also be
thought that they always go to the nearest exit to them in an emergency and
wait at the meeting point outlined, and never ever return for any belongings
unless it is safe to do so and confirmed by a fire officer. Research reports
that nearly 27,000 gymnasts are hospitalized each year, making it one of the
most dangerous sports out there. To reduce the risk of injury and increase
enjoyment, follow safety rules to protect gymnasts and coaches. The
International Gymnastics Federation’s Code Of Ethics says “its designated
agents or committees must ensure safe and appropriate conditions and provide
athletes with good medical care for their physical and moral well-being”.
Research also found nearly 70,000 children under 14 ended up in emergency rooms
in 2007 with gymnastic related injuries. This just cannot be happening if the
safety actions and procedures are in place, if it is still happening then it is
careless instructors or people been hired to teach with no significant
qualifications for teaching gymnastics. Getting into the so-called zone also
does not require that you become oblivious to other gymnasts or your
surroundings. Maintain an awareness of what people around you are doing and
give them room also, try and find your own personal space and stick to it.
Coaches should also keep enforcing that gymnasts drink plenty of fluids before,
during and after the sessions. If they feel dizzy, or weak or have a pain then
they should stop their session. And then if the condition persists or gets
worse then get medical help. Properly maintain equipment for safety as well as ease of use. Mats
should not have tears. To prevent tripping and collision hazards, store
equipment properly when not in use. Take special precautions with gym climbing
ropes. To prevent unsupervised climbing, install a rope hoist with a lock box to
keep students from accessing the hoist controls, this will act as a safety
precaution. Staff should control access to the gymnastics hall when they are not
present to prevent unsupervised use. Keep a limit to the number of people
processing keys and prohibit duplication of keys, maybe just let
supervisors/coaches have a key each for opening up early training days to set up
for the activity. This way then each person knows who can access the area and
who cannot, and just prevents unnecessary accidents taken place.