INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM AND MODEL LESSONS
The following lessons are examples of an instructional program. They should follow a complete discussion and
demonstration of body mechanics between the supervisor and the student(s). See pages 13 and 14 for descriptions
of basic trampoline skills.
Lesson 1
1. Mounting and dismounting (getting on and off)—Demonstration and practice of proper techniques.
2. Fundamental bounce—Demonstration and practice.
3. Braking (stopping the bounce)—Demonstration and practice. Braking on command.
4. Hand and knee drop—Demonstration and practice, stressing four-point landing and alignment.
Lesson 2
1. Review and practice of skills already learned.
2. Knee drop—Half twist to the right, to the left, to the feet, and then to the knees.
3. Seat drop—Half twist to the feet. Seat drop, knee drop, hand and knee drop, repeat.
Lesson 3
1. Review and practice of skills already learned.
2. Front drop—To save time and avoid mat (bed) burns, all students should be requested to assume the front drop
position on the floor while the instructor checks for faults. Suggested progression: from hand and knee bounce,
the body is extended for the landing in the front drop position, and the rebound is made to the feet.
3. Practice routine—Hand and knee drop, front drop, feet, seat drop, half twist to feet.
Lesson 4
1. Review and practice of skills already learned.
2. Back drop—Demonstration, emphasizing the forward thrust of the hips by arching the body as one leg is brought
forward from the standing (not bouncing) position, and the drop to the back with the chin held forward to the
chest and the eyes forward on the frame pad. Spotting this skill is most important. Demonstration of back drop
with low bounce and practice of both techniques.
Lesson 5
1. Review and practice of skills already learned, encouraging original routines based on them.
2. Half turntable—Start from the front drop position and push to the left or right with the hands. Turn the head and
shoulders in the same direction. Keep the back parallel to the mat and the head up. After completing a half turn,
land in the front drop position.
Lesson 6
1. Swivel hips—Suggested progression: seat drop, feet, half twist, repeat; seat drop, half twist to feet, repeat; seat
drop, half twist to seat drop.
2. Half turntable.
Lesson 7
The student should now be encouraged to design and organize routines, with emphasis on good form. The
instructor may judge or grade students and arrange groupings for further instruction accordingly. To stimulate
interest in competition, the game of “Trampoline Horse” can be introduced. Before the game begins, students
must count off. To start the game, student number 1 performs a stunt. Student number 2 then mounts the trampo-
line, performs the same stunt and adds a second stunt. Student number 3 mounts and performs stunts 1 and 2 and
adds a third stunt. Thus the series of stunts is continuously lengthened. The first person to miss a stunt in the
series assumes the letter “H” and starts a new series with a stunt. If a person misses again, he assumes the letter
“O.” When a person accumulates “H-O-R-S-E,” he or she is eliminated from the game. The last remaining con-
testant is the winner. Lesson planning from this point on should be facilitated by contacting a certified trampoline
instructor.
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