In a competition environment the gymnasts performance could be altered by the following
factors: Nerves, Pressure from the judge, Audience, different equipment/different feel
(less/more springy floor)... However there are no ‘major’ factors that will affect the gymnasts
performance, like weather.
A handstand is closest to the closed end of the continuum because it is quite a simple skill
therefore the floor shouldnt make too much difference on the move. There also isn't too much
thinking involved so if the gymnast were to be nervous it shouldn't affect them too much. Also if
you were to lose balance in a handstand or something were to go slightly wrong it won't be
impossible to correct yourself (a handstand can be saved.)
Back bend (kick over) is placed slightly after the handstand, I have placed it here because I
believe it is a slow and controlled skill therefore nothing major should go wrong even if the
gymnast was feeling under pressure.
A backwards walkover is placed just after a back end on the environmental continuum, more in
the middle of the scale. I have placed it here because even though things like the audience and
floor shouldn't affect the gymnasts performance, something like the gymnasts nerves could.
Feeling nervous can make you lose concentration and if this were to happen in a backward
walkover the gymnast could lose balance and wobble as they go into the skill, this could cause
them to lose their centre of balance making the skill messy.
In my opinion, a backflip could go either end of the line. It could be placed at the closed side
because a flick is quite a fast move, therefore it is over and there isn't much time to lose balance.
However- On the other hand, a backflip could be impacted by the equipment. e.g- If the gymnast
is competing at a different gym they are not likely to be used to the equipment and the floor
could be more springy than usual causing the gymnasts skill to become less tight or in another
case, the floor may be less springy this could prevent the gymnast from getting as much power
also causing the skill to become more untidy than usual.
Action plan
Skill/component of Why does the skill/component of fitness need to be improved?
fitness to improve:
The component I have I have chosen to improve this skill because I have already identified it as a weakness
chosen to improve is my whilst analysing my performance of key skills.
flexibility. I need to improve my flexibility in order to achieve better marks on my leaps and also
in skills like backward walkovers where my back is quite stiff causing me to twist- this
Within this component sometimes makes me go off line which is not helpful on beam. Improving my flexibility
of fitness, I will be will also ensure that the likeliness of injuring a muscle is lower.
working on both my
static and dynamic Once my static flexibility has improved i will move onto dynamic flexibility drills
flexibility. because with dynamic skills i can use my power to drive my legs higher in leaps and
jumps, for example.
, Before starting any type of training there are some key considerations that need to be made.
Firstly, training should adhere to the principles of training in order for it to be effective.
Secondly, in order for progressions to be made and for the athlete to maintain motivation
throughout their training, an appropriate goal should be set using the SMART principle.
Principle of training: Description:
Specificity- Any type of training that takes place should be relevant and
appropriate to the sport for which the individual is training in order
to produce the desired effect. Essentially, specificity training means
that the performer must perform the skill in order to get better at
it. specificity training can be focussed on the training zones of
aerobic and anaerobic, it could also be a specific muscle group that
is focussed on based on the needs of the activity.
Progression- A gradual process to allow your body to adapt- by gradually making
the skills become more challenging the body will begin to adapt and
improve. It is very important to progress the skills gradually to
prevent the risk of injury.
Overload- This is the need to work the body harder than normal so that the
performer experiences some form of stress and discomfort. It is
vital to gradually overload the body so it can begin to adapt to the
new levels of stress it is being put under in order to improve and
progress on. Overload is achieved by increasing the frequency,
intensity, or time spent training.
Reversibility- Any level of fitness improvement or body adaptation caused by
training will gradually reverse, deteriorate and be lost when you
stop training or decrease training time.
SMART goal setting: Description:
Specific In order to reach your goal, you must have a specific target and an outline of
exactly what is needed to reach it. This makes you more focused on your goal.
Ypo should focus on a specific skill in the sport as this makes the goal more
clear- e,g shooting in football would be a clear goal but just saying i want to be
better at football would be a bad goal as it is not clear or specific.
Measurable Goals must be measurable, this is so you can see how much you have
progressed over time. Measuring your goal also helps the performer to stay
motivated to train and aim to make improvements.
factors: Nerves, Pressure from the judge, Audience, different equipment/different feel
(less/more springy floor)... However there are no ‘major’ factors that will affect the gymnasts
performance, like weather.
A handstand is closest to the closed end of the continuum because it is quite a simple skill
therefore the floor shouldnt make too much difference on the move. There also isn't too much
thinking involved so if the gymnast were to be nervous it shouldn't affect them too much. Also if
you were to lose balance in a handstand or something were to go slightly wrong it won't be
impossible to correct yourself (a handstand can be saved.)
Back bend (kick over) is placed slightly after the handstand, I have placed it here because I
believe it is a slow and controlled skill therefore nothing major should go wrong even if the
gymnast was feeling under pressure.
A backwards walkover is placed just after a back end on the environmental continuum, more in
the middle of the scale. I have placed it here because even though things like the audience and
floor shouldn't affect the gymnasts performance, something like the gymnasts nerves could.
Feeling nervous can make you lose concentration and if this were to happen in a backward
walkover the gymnast could lose balance and wobble as they go into the skill, this could cause
them to lose their centre of balance making the skill messy.
In my opinion, a backflip could go either end of the line. It could be placed at the closed side
because a flick is quite a fast move, therefore it is over and there isn't much time to lose balance.
However- On the other hand, a backflip could be impacted by the equipment. e.g- If the gymnast
is competing at a different gym they are not likely to be used to the equipment and the floor
could be more springy than usual causing the gymnasts skill to become less tight or in another
case, the floor may be less springy this could prevent the gymnast from getting as much power
also causing the skill to become more untidy than usual.
Action plan
Skill/component of Why does the skill/component of fitness need to be improved?
fitness to improve:
The component I have I have chosen to improve this skill because I have already identified it as a weakness
chosen to improve is my whilst analysing my performance of key skills.
flexibility. I need to improve my flexibility in order to achieve better marks on my leaps and also
in skills like backward walkovers where my back is quite stiff causing me to twist- this
Within this component sometimes makes me go off line which is not helpful on beam. Improving my flexibility
of fitness, I will be will also ensure that the likeliness of injuring a muscle is lower.
working on both my
static and dynamic Once my static flexibility has improved i will move onto dynamic flexibility drills
flexibility. because with dynamic skills i can use my power to drive my legs higher in leaps and
jumps, for example.
, Before starting any type of training there are some key considerations that need to be made.
Firstly, training should adhere to the principles of training in order for it to be effective.
Secondly, in order for progressions to be made and for the athlete to maintain motivation
throughout their training, an appropriate goal should be set using the SMART principle.
Principle of training: Description:
Specificity- Any type of training that takes place should be relevant and
appropriate to the sport for which the individual is training in order
to produce the desired effect. Essentially, specificity training means
that the performer must perform the skill in order to get better at
it. specificity training can be focussed on the training zones of
aerobic and anaerobic, it could also be a specific muscle group that
is focussed on based on the needs of the activity.
Progression- A gradual process to allow your body to adapt- by gradually making
the skills become more challenging the body will begin to adapt and
improve. It is very important to progress the skills gradually to
prevent the risk of injury.
Overload- This is the need to work the body harder than normal so that the
performer experiences some form of stress and discomfort. It is
vital to gradually overload the body so it can begin to adapt to the
new levels of stress it is being put under in order to improve and
progress on. Overload is achieved by increasing the frequency,
intensity, or time spent training.
Reversibility- Any level of fitness improvement or body adaptation caused by
training will gradually reverse, deteriorate and be lost when you
stop training or decrease training time.
SMART goal setting: Description:
Specific In order to reach your goal, you must have a specific target and an outline of
exactly what is needed to reach it. This makes you more focused on your goal.
Ypo should focus on a specific skill in the sport as this makes the goal more
clear- e,g shooting in football would be a clear goal but just saying i want to be
better at football would be a bad goal as it is not clear or specific.
Measurable Goals must be measurable, this is so you can see how much you have
progressed over time. Measuring your goal also helps the performer to stay
motivated to train and aim to make improvements.
