New
New
Year 8

Accurate replication of rolls

I can perform a variety of rolls with good form.

New
New
Year 8

Accurate replication of rolls

I can perform a variety of rolls with good form.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: keeping your body tight and engaging the core will maintain control and momentum when rolling.
  2. Move: tucking your chin during a roll protects the neck, keeps the head aligned and ensures a controlled roll.
  3. Think: rolls are useful when transitioning between balances to add creativity and interest to a sequence.
  4. Feel: rhythm, flow and body awareness develops during practice of rolls and helps to build confidence.
  5. Connect: watching peers carefully to give feedback on technique requires focus and prioritising teaching points.

Keywords

  • Roll - a movement where the body rotates around an axis, usually along the floor or on apparatus

  • Station - a designated area where students perform a specific activity or exercise as part of a station-based skill development session

  • Sequence - a series of movements performed in a planned order to create a smooth and continuous routine

Common misconception

Pupils often forget to tuck their head when performing forward and backward rolls causing a rough landing or strain on their neck.

The chin should be tucked gently into the chest looking at their stomach. This will protect the neck and keep the head aligned.


To help you plan your year 8 physical education lesson on: Accurate replication of rolls, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

It is important to spend time with the groups working on forward and backward rolls making sure that they are tucking their chin and are performing the skills safely to avoid injury.
Teacher tip

Equipment

1 mat between 2

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).

4 Questions

Q1.
At what speed should you enter a balance?
fast
medium speed
Correct answer: slow
Q2.
What should a balance be performed with?
Correct answer: control and stability
power and speed
flexibility and dynamics
Q3.
How many points of contact are there on the floor in an arabesque?
Correct answer: one
two
three
Q4.
Where should the hands be when in a handstand?
ahead
Correct answer: shoulder width apart
high

4 Questions

Q1.
In a dish roll, your legs are slightly off the ground. Where are your arms?
on the floor
behind you
Correct answer: overhead
Q2.
What do rolls add to a sequence?
flexibility and stillness
danger and extension
Correct answer: creativity and interest
Q3.
What should you look for when observing and assessing other people performing their rolls?
Correct answer: correct technique
correct kit
correct speed
Q4.
Which muscles should you engage to give you the most stability when performing a roll?
Correct answer: core muscles
arm muscles
leg muscles

Additional material

Download additional material