Contact work: counter balances
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can collaborate with a partner/group to counter their weight safely.
Key learning points
- Move: controlling the force applied to an action will lead to successful counter balances and counter tension balances.
- Think: exploring alternative ways of creating counter balances and counter tension balances involves decision making.
- Feel: careful planning of counter balances and counter tension balances demonstrates responsibility.
- Connect: all types of counter balances and counter tension balances require careful collaboration.
Keywords
Contact work - a choreographic relationship that involves touch
Counter balance - equalling the weight of others by using a pushing force
Counter tension balance - equalling the weight of others by using a pulling force
Common misconception
Counter balances should always involve pushing against our partner's hands.
We often start by connecting using our hands. Once skilled at countering our partner, we can find different points of connection or use different levels or directions to make our combined shapes more interesting and creative.
Teacher tip
Pair pupils so that they are of a similar height and build.
Equipment
Suggested music.additional materials: suggested music
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which word reflects a dynamic quality?
Q2.What is negotiation an important part of?
Q3.When working together, what do safety and accuracy demonstrate?
Q4.What do expressive skills enable a performer to do effectively?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is shared when you perform a counter balance?
Q2.What force is applied when performing a counter tension balance?
Q3.How can you demonstrate responsibility when performing a counter balance?
Q4.What can expressive skills add to a performance?
To help you plan your 6 physical education lesson on: Contact work: counter balances, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 physical education lesson on: Contact work: counter balances, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 2 physical education lessons from the Dance: the power of unity unit, dive into the full primary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.