User Guide

Youth Movement

Skills Program

Welcome

Welcome to the Movement Academy Youth Movement Skills Program. This is a

comprehensive Physical Education program that will enable teachers to develop

proper movement fundamentals in their students at the appropriate stages in

their physical development.

This User Guide will provide information as to how to access the program online,

the science behind the program, and suggestions as to the most effective ways to

implement the program in a manner that fits your curriculum.

This program can be used as a full blown lesson plan to occupy most or all class

periods, or, alternatively, to supplement the objectives of your already

established curriculum. These proper movement fundamentals can be taught in a

variety of ways. The program is designed to be flexible while still meeting the

vitally important objective of teaching sound movement fundamentals.

Why Bother?

Teachers have been teaching physical education for many years. But the

development of a long term movement skills development program is a fairly new

concept in physical education. What the scientific research has shown is that the

benefits of a program like this for

teachers and students are far

reaching. Proper movement

fundamentals are instrumental in

injury prevention. The majority of

injuries that occur to students in PE

class can be prevented. Of course, a

safe learning environment is crucial,

but proper movement fundamentals can reduce injuries caused by improper

movement - the result of overall low strength levels, incorrect landing mechanics,

incorrect deceleration techniques, ligament laxity, muscle tightness, overly

developed quadriceps, and over-reliance on a particular limb.

Additionally, developing proper movement fundamentals has been shown to

increase confidence, enhance socialization skills, improve focus and discipline,

and more. Furthermore, incorporating exercises that include different types of

training has been proven to improve the brain’s ability to adapt to changes –

which benefits everyone throughout life.

The Movement academy Movement Skills Development Program incorporates all

of the science behind long term athletic development and neuroplasticity into an

easy to use program that tells you what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. It’s

important to teach the skills at a time when the students are ABLE to learn them.

After all, you don’t put first graders into advanced calculus classes!

Physical Literacy and the Categories of Movement

Physical literacy is defined as the ability to move with competence and confidence

in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the

healthy development of the whole person.

To achieve this there is a need for developmental progression of movements and skills. For example, balance, stability, and fundamental movements should be mastered before progressing. The individual should demonstrate age appropriate competency of these components before attempting to demonstrate more complex object control skills because gross motor skills should be developed before fine motor skills.

The following list of program components contains a series of movement component categories that correspond and expand the physical literacy and movement foundation. The parenthetical notation is the abbreviation used in our online exercise phasing, designed to help your fine tune your daily lesson plan.

• Balance and stability (BS): Balance is the ability to maintain the body

center of gravity over its base of support. Stability is the ability to control

joint movement, position, or trajectory following a disturbance. These

exercises strengthen the core and aid in maintaining dynamic equilibrium.

• Fundamental/Dynamic Movement (DM): Dynamic exercises involve

movement and are usually implemented during an active warm-up for a

higher intensity activity, such as sport or field activities. These types of

exercises help prestretch and activate the muscles without overstretching

them, as static stretching tends to do.

• Object Control (OC): Object control skills require your child to control an

object using a part of the body or using an implement, and develop

coordination. There are two types of object control skills:

o Propulsive – sending an object away (e.g. throwing, kicking, striking, batting)

o Receptive – receiving an object (e.g. catching, dribbling a ball, receiving a shuttlecock)

• Plyometrics (P): also known as "jump training" or "plyos", are exercises in which muscles exert maximum force in short intervals of time, with the goal of increasing power (speed-strength).

• Speed and agility – Linear (LinM): Movement is performed in a linear

plane, meaning that you are going forward or backward. These drills help

hone speed, but can also involve coordination .

• Speed and Agility – Lateral LatM): The ability to change directions quickly

and to move from side to side. Emphasizes symmetrical development.

• Strength/Endurance/Power (SEP):

o Muscular strength is the ability of a muscle or muscle group to exert

force to overcome the most resistance in one effort. Power is defined

as the amount of work performed per unit of time.

o Power is an element of skill-related fitness that is needed to excel in

athletic performance.

o Muscular endurance is the ability of a muscle or muscle group to exert force to overcome a resistance many times.

• Fun Drills (FG): These incorporate the movement categories into games and drills designed for group participation and the incorporation of a competitive element.

This list is not intended to be all-inclusive, but to provide a series of categories in which fundamental movements and other areas of athleticism must be taught in a sequential manner. The selection of movement skills is based on a modified program design model, which includes a needs analysis and exercise selection, order, volume, intensity, and frequency – all of which has been done for you!

Importance of Coach Education

Istvan Balyi is an architect of the Long-Term Athlete Development framework and is a Planning and Periodization expert on which he’s published over 75 articles and chapters. Balyi reports that the early specialization training model leads to increased dropout rates, overuse injuries, early burnout, overemphasis on sport-specific preparation and a lack of basic movement skill development.

Coach education is the foundation of long-term athletic development. Many individuals only observe “the tip of the iceberg,” and overlook that athletic performance occurs far beyond PE class and the sports season. A comprehensive LTAD program, along with skills and knowledge of the PE teacher, the sports coach, and the strength and conditioning coach is invaluable to enhance

performance. Proper technique and skill development must be taught and supervised by informed and experienced coaches – THAT’S YOU! Also, youth coaches should be educated and qualified to the highest standard and work in an environment that is appropriately managed.

We’ve provided you with the tools. Our program is evidence based, proven to work, and easy to use. But it only works if you use it!!!! Now let’s get started.

Logging In

Go to www.movementacademy.net, click on Sign In on the top of the page.

You will be directed to the login page.

Use the user ID and password provided to access the Youth Movement Skills

Program, at which point you will be directed to your Resource Center, a

customized page that provides access to tools and helpful information for you to

http://www.movementacademy.net/

maximize the effectiveness of the Movement Academy Youth Movement Skills

Program.

The Landing Page

This page includes training videos, assessment tools, equipment offers, and

helpful websites and information. Click on the button at the bottom of the page

to expand each section of offerings:

Training Videos: Short videos explaining the science behind the program, how to

use the program, and other helpful information.

Assessment Tools: Explanations as to different options as to how to track

performance and the progress of your students while using the program.

Equipment Needs: Offers from our partners to buy equipment at reduced prices

to aid in implementing the program.

Helpful Links: Hyperlinks to websites providing valuable information on a variety

of topics.

Exercise Protocols

This is also where you access your Movement Academy exercise protocols,

phased exercises for each grade level participating in the program at your school.

Click on the Program Selection button at the top of the page.

Once you click on Program Selection, a dropdown list will appear providing a link

to each level of the program to which your school has subscribed.

By clicking on the specific grade level you want to access, you will get the current

phase of exercises, as well as a dropdown list of other phases in the program. This

allows access to upcoming phases shortly before it is time for their

implementation, giving you time to review them and prepare.

When the upcoming phases become available they will no longer be grayed out

on the dropdown list.

The Exercise Protocols

The page will now display all of the exercise protocols contained in the current

phase. The parenthetical notation is the abbreviation of the movement category

explained above.

By clicking on an exercise protocol, you will see four new buttons:

Description: This describes the exercise with instructions as to how to perform it.

Purpose: The movement category applicable to the exercise as well as an

explanation as to what muscle groups or movement skills are targeted by the

exercise.

Tips: Suggestions as to things to watch for to be sure the exercise is being

properly performed, as well as different alternative methods of performing the

exercise.

Video: A short video displaying the exercise in proper form. You might consider

showing these videos to your class prior to starting the exercises.

Another feature is the ability to create a playlist for the day’s activities. By clicking

on the HIDE button on the left side of the protocol bar, you can remove different

protocols, leaving only those you wish to use. They can be restored by clicking the

SHOW ALL button on the right side of the page.

Implementing the Exercise Plan

Instructions for Daily Use

The Youth Movement Skills Program can be used in conjunction with your SLT’s or

as a standalone for adhering to SHAPE America Guideline #1 for movement. PE is

a dynamic subject and must adapt to weather conditions, school functions, and

larger class sizes. With that in mind, there is no one size fits all PE program or

curriculum. The Youth Movement Skills Program is designed to adapt with you

daily to be a warm up, complete daily program, or supplemented within your

existing structure. The more you use the program, the better your students’

results will be.

How to use the program depends on your needs and objectives. Here are some

suggestions.

Sports Unit Guide

Week 1: FMS assessments, objective assessments, balance & stability protocols

Week 2: Use balance & stability protocols for warm up. Integrate dynamic

movement and speed & agility protocols into skill sessions

Week 3: Use balance & stability protocols for warm up. Object controls protocols

are introduced in conjunction with sports activities. Continue dynamic movement

and speed & agility protocols in skill sessions.

Week 4: Use balance & stability protocols for warm up. Introduce fun & games

protocols with speed & agility drills. Object control protocols blend In with sports

activities.

Month 2-10: Repeat the weekly cycle in conjunction with your sports units

Station/Circuit Training Guide

Warm up: 5 minutes using balance & stability protocols, and dynamic movement

exercises.

Station 1: Object control with one type of ball. For example, use basketballs for

passing and dribbling skills.

Station 2: Plyometrics. Pick one or two plyometric exercises and have students

alternate for sets and reps the plyometric protocols.

Station 3: Agility. Choose either

linear or lateral, but not both, agility

moves. It is best not to perform

lateral and linear agility exercises on

the same day.

Station 4: Dynamic Movement.

Choose one or two dynamic

movement category protocols for students to perform with sets and reps.

All students line up and participate in warm up protocols. Separate students into

groups and have them start a station. Set a time based on your class period that

allows students to complete the protocols at each station before moving to the

next.

The Importance of Assessment

Keeping track of the progress of children as they advance through the Movement Academy Youth Development Program is an important aspect of the program.

There are different schools of thought as to what purpose these assessments should serve, but there is no question that the tests should be administered and the data stored and evaluated. What follows is a basic assessment program that will enable all Movement Academy participants to easily and effectively track performance gains.

Assessment Categories: Our Assessment Tools are broken into two categories:

1) Subjective Testing: The Subjective Tests allow teachers to put students through a series of six different movements, known as the Fundamental Movement Screen. Teachers then rate the performance of each student based on a visual evaluation of each exercise. Students are scored on their performance, as is described in the FMS Descriptive Overview found in your Movement Academy Resource Center, which also contains a detailed description of each movement.

2) Objective Testing: The Objective Tests are a series of physical activities in which performance can be measured by time or distance. Tracking performance in any or all of these exercises will enable participants to gauge the progress being made in the program by comparing the objective data. Some suggested Objective Tests are described in the Objective Testing Overview in your Movement Academy Resource Center.

Assessment Scoring Sheets: Use the Movement Academy Assessment Scoring Sheets for individual students and/or classes to score each student's performance in both the Objective and Subjective Tests. Keep the sheet for scoring comparisons for subsequent test sessions. And remember, the staff at Movement Academy is always willing to come in and conduct these sessions for you, as well as to track and score performance from session to session. Scoring sheets for individuals and groups are in your Movement Academy Resource Center.

We hope you enjoy using the Movement Academy Youth Movement Skills Program. If you use it properly and consistently, you will see marked improvement in your students.

Please feel free to contact us with any comments or suggestions. info@movementacademy.net.

mailto:info@movementacademy.net