Gymnastics Sessions FAQ

Taking part in gymnastics provides children with many physical, cognitive and psychological benefits. Gymnastics will promote development of motor control skills and basic movement pattern, posture and poise, balance and co-ordination and flexibility. Most importantly it builds confidence and self discipline.

Beginners can expect to learn basic shapes, rolls, holding body weight on their hands, for cartwheels, handstands and bridge work. As the strength and flexibility of each gymnast improves they will progress to more advanced skills i.e 1 armed cartwheels and backward walkovers.

All children can expect to use the vaulting tables and springboards to help improve their running and jumping technique. Beams/benches are used to focus on basic balancing and gymnasts will then progress to more advanced skills i.e cartwheels, forward rolls, handstands and different dismounts on a beam/bench.

"How is each child's progression measured?".......

Each child that attends gymnastics sessions with us will have the opportunity to progress through British Gymnastics Awards. This award scheme encompasses skills on the floor, beam, vault and will include partner work and some rhythmic gymnastics. The awards start at number 8 and work down to number 1. When a child passes an award they will receive an award passing slip and once the £4.00 fee for the award has been paid the children are presented their certificate and badge.

Once a child completes award 1 they will receive a medal to accompany their certificate and badge. Children will then progress onto the advanced award scheme which focuses on fitness, floor, vault and rebound, pairs and groups, hand held apparatus and dance and aerobics.

We carry out badge testing every term at all our clubs. We usually test on week 4 of each term. Some children will progress through their awards more quickly than others; this will depend on each child’s rate of progression and gymnastics ability level.

Each term we present one gymnast with a special achievement award. This award is presented to the gymnast who has improved the most throughout the term. This may be a child that has worked very hard to achieve a specific skill or a child that has shown excellent development and progression. Please click here to view the British Gymnastics Award Chart which we follow -

"What sessions do you offer?".......

At DLJ Sports Coaching we offer early morning and after school clubs. These sessions run in various Infant and Primary Schools in Kent and only children that attend that school may participate. All sessions are run by fully qualified and experienced coaches.

Early morning sessions take place before the school day (8.00am to 8.45am) and after school clubs take place immediately after school.

The children use the school’s equipment as well as equipment brought in by the coach in charge of the session. Gymnasts will begin learning basic gymnastic skills i.e forward and backward rolls, cartwheels, handstands, springboard and vault work, balance and beam work. The gymnasts also have the opportunity to work towards British Gymnastics Awards.

We also run a gymnastics club at Swan Valley Community School in Swanscombe. This session is open to all children aged between 5 and 12 years of age.