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Basic 4 · Physical Education · Manipulative Skills

The Tripod Balance

In this topic you will perform an inverted balance called the tripod.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Explain the tripod balance
  • Perform a tripod safely
  • Hold the balance with control

What you already know

  • Balancing on different body parts (Basic 2)

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Motor Skill And Movement Patterns
Sub-strand
Manipulative Skills
Indicator
B4.1.4.1.4 – Perform an inverted balance (tripod) by evenly distributing weight on body parts

Introduction

A tripod has three legs, like a camera stand. In the tripod balance, your head and two hands form three points of support.

1. What is a Tripod?

Tripod balance: An upside-down balance on the head and two hands forming a triangle.

2. Steps

  1. Kneel on a mat.
  2. Place your hands shoulder-width apart, fingers spread.
  3. Place the front top of your head on the mat ahead of your hands, making a triangle.
  4. Walk your feet in until your hips are above your head.
  5. Rest one knee on one elbow, then the other.
  6. Hold for three seconds, then come down slowly.
Steps of the tripod balance showing the head and hands triangle
Figure 1: The tripod balance Draw the triangle made by your head and hands.Illustration: Sirbus

Safety: Use a mat. Your teacher or a partner should support you. Come down slowly and never fall sideways on your neck.

New words

tripod
A stand with three points of support.
inverted
Upside down.
triangle
A shape with three sides.
base
The parts supporting your weight.
spotter
A helper who keeps you safe.
control
Moving steadily without falling.

Summary

  • The tripod is an inverted balance on the head and hands.
  • Head and hands form a triangle.
  • Knees rest on the elbows.
  • Always use a mat and a spotter.

Class activity: Tripod Practice

  1. Practise the triangle position on the mat.
  2. With a spotter, raise your knees onto your elbows.
  3. Hold for three seconds and come down slowly.

You need: Woven exercise mats, Printed safe inverted-balance cards, Sticks of chalk

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. How many points support you in a tripod?

    • A. Three
    • B. Two
    • C. Four
    • D. One
    Show answer
    Answer: ThreeHead and two hands.

  2. 2. What shape do the head and hands make?

    • A. Triangle
    • B. Circle
    • C. Square
    • D. Line
    Show answer
    Answer: TriangleIt gives stability.

  3. 3. A helper who keeps you safe is a…

    • A. Spotter
    • B. Turner
    • C. Referee
    • D. Coach only
    Show answer
    Answer: SpotterSpotters support you.

  4. 4. The tripod is an inverted balance.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueIt is upside down.

  5. 5. We should practise the tripod on hard concrete.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseUse a mat.

  6. 6. Upside down means ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: invertedThat is inverted.

  7. 7. Write the first three steps of the tripod.

    Show answer
    Answer: Kneel; place hands shoulder-width apart; place the head ahead to form a triangle.Follow the order.

  8. 8. Why is a triangle base stable?

    Show answer
    Answer: The three points spread the weight evenly.Triangles are strong shapes.

Homework

  1. Practise the head-and-hands triangle on a soft surface with an adult nearby.