Fundamental shapes: Safe Landing, Rocket and Angry Cat
Safety Landing / Motor Bike
Straight / Rocket
Angry Cat
This is a fundamental safety landing
position.
Straight position is fundamental to
developing extension in most gymnastics
activities.
This shape develops an awareness
of body control.
Teach this shape before any other
gymnastics activity.
It’s especially important to know with
springing & landing activities, jumping on
or off apparatus!
Safe landing skills can be used in many
other sporting pursuits.
This is a hidden competency, as often
gymnastics skills do not look like they
include this shape.
In most cases it would be ideal for a
straight position to be shown in both takeoff & landing activities.
An ability to maintain core stability is
important in gymnastics.
This shape teaches participants how
to isolate & coordinate abdominal,
shoulder & spine muscles.
This shape is a pre-requisite for front
support.
Key Coaching Points
• Feet shoulder-width apart
• Maintain open & upright chest
• Head neutral
• Knees bent
• Long body & limb lines
• Maintain open & upright chest
• Head neutral
• Hips turned under
• Feet together
Variations
© Gymnastics Australia 2015
• Hands shoulder-width apart
• Rounded back, eyes on knees
• Knees bent at 90 degrees
• Shoulders, wrists in line
• Straight arms