CIRCUS:
SMALL-SCALE SKILLS
For use with WJEC Performing
Arts GCSE
Game One
Physical Warm Up Game
Clap Action
• Find your own area within the space. The leader
of the class claps once, then everyone decides on
physical exercises to be done with this number of
claps: e.g. one clap = star jumps.
• Decide on four different physical exercises, then
the leader claps once for the first exercise, twice
for whatever exercise was chosen for two claps,
three times for whatever exercise was chosen for
three claps and four times for whatever exercise
was chosen for four claps.
Game Two
Co-ordination Game
Throw and Catch Circle
• Stand in a circle with one juggling ball in your left
hand and an empty open right hand. After the
count of three, (one, two, three, throw) everyone
throws the ball from their left hand to the open
hand of the person to your left, and you catch the
ball coming from your right with your right hand,
so that your left hand is now empty and your
right hand is holding a juggling ball.
• Try not to drop the ball.
• Swap directions.
• Repeat a few times in both directions.
Game Three
Focus Game
Samurai
• Stand in a circle. The starting person raises their hands
together straight above their head, then makes eye contact
with another person in the circle and sends the swipe to them
hands down, like chopping a pumpkin with a samurai sword
(with samurai sound effects).
• Then the person who has received the chop raises their hands.
Those on either side of the person who has received the chop
quickly do a sideways chop on the person who has received the
chop (no physical contact to be made).
• Then these actions are repeated. Knockout can be played if you
hesitate or chop when you are not supposed to.
Skill One
Flower Sticks
• Idle: tap the stick back and forth with hands
or sticks. Make sure you have mastered this on
the floor before lifting it up.
• Picking up: practise picking the flower stick
up, starting with both hand sticks and
experiment with different ways of picking up.
• Flips: practise flips in both directions and
throw at different heights.
Skill Two
Poi
• Planes: work on as many different planes as
possible both ways.
• Grip: experiment with different lengths of poi
when practising.
• Movement: practise turning and splitting the
times of the poi as much as possible to
prepare for more advanced tricks.
Skill Three
Juggling
• Starting hands: practise throwing the first ball
from each hand and catch two in one hand,
starting with each hand separately.
• Height: practise throwing the juggling props at
different heights to gain more control of your
throws.
• Tricks: break trick down to most basic form
and master it, start with one prop
then gradually add more props.
Advanced Skills and Progression
• After spending a little time running over the
basics, your teacher will have a chat with you
to see what new tricks you would like to learn
and offer advice on what techniques are best
to practise.
• Focusing on one new trick for a session often
means you will be able to achieve it by the
end of the lesson, and you will feel fulfilled.
Basic Routine Creation
• Routine creation is an essential part of
circus performing, so learning the basics
now is a very good idea.
• Perform the tricks you are comfortable
with first and finish with the new trick
you have been practising in that session.
Show What You've Learnt
• Performing regularly in front of an audience is
also essential as you learn circus.
• Do a small show at the end of each session
where you take it in turns to perform solo, in
duos or in groups.
• This will dramatically improve your stage
presence and help reduce nerves in future.
• It is important to be very supportive of all your
fellow learners in this part of the session.