New
New
Year 6

Contact work: counter balances and supports

I can create and combine different types of contact work ideas safely to communicate a dance idea effectively.

New
New
Year 6

Contact work: counter balances and supports

I can create and combine different types of contact work ideas safely to communicate a dance idea effectively.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: accuracy requires control in what and how the actions are performed.
  2. Think: choreography using contact work requires careful planning and problem solving.
  3. Feel: contact work requires all performers to be responsible at all times.
  4. Connect: rehearsing to improve all aspects of performance involves collaboration from all.

Keywords

  • Story - using our bodies and movements to communicate a message, feeling or event

  • Contact work - a choreographic relationship involving touch

  • Performance - the display of a series of actions

Common misconception

Telling a story in dance (narrative dance) should include talking.

Whilst some dances include dialogue, in dance a story is usually communicated solely through actions and the performers are usually silent.


To help you plan your year 6 physical education lesson on: Contact work: counter balances and supports, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Focus and facial expression are likely to be very useful when performing a narrative dance based on a disagreement, by a simple action such as looking away from someone (focus) or a smile (facial expression) a performer can communicate whether they like or dislike another person.
Teacher tip

Equipment

additional materials: suggested music

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What type of choreographic relationship is a support?

counterpoint
Correct answer: contact work
mirroring

Q2.
In order to remain safe, how should performers work when collaborating?

Correct answer: responsibly
softly
cautiously

Q3.
Why is it important to maintain some bodily tension when being supported?

Correct answer: easier for partner
looks better
improves dynamics

Q4.
What process, used in choreography, enables creativity and originality?

Correct answer: problem solving
repetition
varying the music

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
How can we tell a story through dance?

Correct answer: through our actions
by reading
through talking

Q2.
Whose responsibility is it to make sure everyone is working safely?

Correct answer: everyone's
the teacher's
no one's

Q3.
Why should a performer control their actions?

Correct answer: improve accuracy
move faster
greater flexibility

Q4.
What will problem solving and collaboration lead to?

Correct answer: creative choreography
good timing
strong performers

Additional material

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