Gymnastics (In-Ground Trampoline)

Where the trampoline is level with the floor. Body movement patterns while using equipment.

Secondary - Curricular 2023

  • Commercial Sites.
  • There are two types of appropriate trampoline programs:
    • Fitness/Aerobics focus – skill instruction includes basic upright jumping skills and ‘stop bounce’
    • Trampoline Skill focus – skill instruction includes additional skills
  • Other activities using the trampoline (for example, dodgeball and basketball) are not appropriate.
  • Consult Risk Management.
  • This activity page must be presented to the activity provider prior to the activity taking place. The activity provider must meet the minimum requirements listed on this page. For more information on planning trips using outside providers, consult Outside Activity Providers.

Equipment

  • Determine that all equipment is safe for use (for example, no sharp corners, cracks, or splinters). Students must be encouraged to report equipment problems to the teacher.
  • The trampoline must be properly installed by an accredited installer and inspected on a regular basis and repaired as necessary.
  • Where a gymnastics facility has an in-ground trampoline, the following must occur:
    • Frame padding is secure and covers frame and springs/shock cords.
    • General utility mats (5cm/2”) are to be used on the floor, around the trampoline and situated such that mats must not overlap or have open spaces.
  • General utility mats (5cm/2”) must be composed of:
    • closed cell/cross-linked polyethylene foam 5cm (2")
    • open cell polyurethane foam (100 Indentation Force Deflection (I.F.D.) minimum) 5cm (2”)
    • dual density foam 5cm (2”)
    • mats of equivalent compaction rating as determined by manufacturer
  • Determine that end deck mats are in proper place.
  • A safety zone minimum of 30cm (1’) from sides and 60cm (2’) from ends must be marked on the trampoline bed.
  • Where appropriate, keep area under trampoline clear of all equipment.
  • No equipment on trampoline (for example, balls, beanbags).

Refer to the First Aid section for first aid equipment requirements.

Clothing/Footwear/Jewellery

  • Appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn.
  • Trampoline/gripping socks must be worn.
  • No jewellery permitted.
  • Tie back long hair and remove hair clips.
  • Secure or remove eyeglasses.
  • Students must not participate when the length of fingernails poses a safety risk to themselves or others.

Facilities

  • Determine that all facilities are safe for use. Students must be encouraged to report facility problems to the teacher.
  • Floor plan must provide a minimum space of 1m (3.3’) along sides of trampoline and 2m (6’6”) at ends of trampoline.
  • All space between ends and sides of trampolines must be padded.
  • Minimum ceiling height 7m (23’).
  • Where a trampoline is within 1 m of sidewall or structural support post and/or 2m from end wall, protective matting must be on wall/post to a minimum height of 5m (16.5’).
  • When running takes place off school site for a warm up:
    • Teachers must do a safety check ‘walk through’ in order to identify potential problems prior to initial use of route or course.
    • Teachers must outline to the students the route or course (for example, notice of areas to approach with caution) before the start of the run.
    • Teachers must determine that students are not crossing busy intersections unless directly supervised.

Special Rules/Instructions

  • Be aware of students whose medical condition (for example, asthma, anaphylaxis, casts, previous concussion, orthopaedic device) may affect participation. Consult Medical Conditions.
  • Students must not participate in the activity until they receive information on concussion prevention specific to the activity, inherent risks of the activity (for example, outline possible risks and ways to minimize the risks), and procedures and rules for safe play. Students must receive instruction on the importance of reporting symptoms related to a suspected concussion.
  • Refer to school board policies and procedures (i.e., transportation, excursion/field trip) for communication with parents/guardians, the location of an off-site activity, means of transportation, supervision ratios, and parent/guardian permission.
  • Activities must be modified according to the age, ability level, language, and experience of students, number of participants, and the facility available.
  • Previous training, fitness level, and the length of time and intensity of physical activity must be taken into consideration.
  • Activities must be based on skills that are taught.
  • Skills must be taught in proper progression.
  • A proper warm-up and cool-down must be included.
  • While moving, students must not be required to close their eyes or be blind-folded.
  • Emphasize controlled movement when requiring students to walk or run backwards. Backward-running races are not permitted.
  • An introductory lesson must be an integral part of the program for all students.
  • Students must be instructed on safety related to the trampoline.
  • Only one student on a trampoline at a time.
  • If a student lands outside of the safety zone on the bed, he/she must stop bouncing and return to the centre of the trampoline.
  • Students may only jump from one trampoline surface to another where the trampolines are side-to-side, and if there is no one on the adjacent trampoline surface. They must land in the centre of the adjacent surface.
  • Students must master the “STOP BOUNCE” before participating in other trampoline activities.
  • Stress control before height.
  • The following rules must be implemented:
    • walk on, walk off
    • bounce in the middle rectangular area
    • always bounce on two feet; never one foot
    • no knee drops
  • Students must be discouraged from attempting moves other than those allowed by the teacher/instructor.
  • Observe that students demonstrate control of basic movement before moving to higher level skills (for example, straight jumps before tuck, pike, or straddle jumps and vertical turns).
  • A student must not be asked to do a task he/she feels unprepared to attempt.
  • When a student displays hesitation (verbally or non-verbally) with participating, the teacher must determine the reason(s) for doubt. If the teacher believes that a potential hesitancy during the skill could put the student at risk, the student must be directed toward a more basic skill, or be permitted to select a role within the activity at their comfort level, including the choice to not participate.
  • Prior to participation, the teacher must reference and apply their school board's policy on equity and inclusion as it affects student participation and makes appropriate accommodations/modifications to provide a safe learning environment. Consult the Intent subsection within the About section.
  • Adequate liquid replacement (personal water bottles, water fountains) must be accessible for students before, during, and after physical activity to prevent dehydration.

Fitness/Aerobic Focus

  • Skills must be taught in the proper progression.
  • Inversions are not allowed (for example, hips must be below head level at all times).

Trampoline Skills Focus

  • In trampoline facilities where programs include the instruction of skills in addition to basic upright jumping and STOP BOUNCE the following must also occur:
    • Skills must be taught in the proper progression.
    • Activities/routines must be based on skills that are taught.
    • Students must master the STOP BOUNCE before attempting any skills.

Supervision

  • All activities must be supervised.
  • Constant visual supervision is required during introductory lesson and initial instruction of straight jumping skills and STOP BOUNCE.
  • On-site supervision is required following introductory lesson.
  • The level of supervision must be commensurate with the inherent risk of the activity. The level of risk is related to the number of participants, the skill level of the participants, the type of equipment used, and environmental conditions.
  • A volunteer could assist in the supervision of physical education activities. Examples of volunteers are educational assistants, retired teachers, co-op students, parents/guardians, early childhood educators, and teacher candidates. Refer to your school board’s policy regarding volunteers. These volunteers must be accompanied by a supervisor.
  • A teacher who is providing instruction and is unfamiliar with the activity (for example, no recent experience) must refrain from teaching the activity until assistance is provided by an appropriately trained staff or training is received.
  • Students must be informed that the use of equipment and the gymnasium are prohibited without supervision. In addition to verbal communication, the doors must be locked or signs must be posted indicating that students are not allowed to use the gym unless appropriately supervised.

Supervision Ratios

  • Initial instruction: 1 facility instructor per 1 student
  • After initial instruction: 1 facility instructor per 15 students
  • Initial instruction refers to a student’s first attempt on the equipment.

Qualifications

For Fitness/Aerobics Programs

  • Facility instructors must be knowledgeable about trampoline fitness skills, skill progressions, and safety.

For Trampoline Skill Focus Programs

  • Non-inversion skills must be taught by an instructor trained in one of the following:
    • NCCP Foundations Trampoline Trained Coach (Community Sport)
    • NCCP Level 1 Certified Trampoline Coach
  • Inversion skills must be taught by an instructor trained in NCCP Level 2 Trampoline Technical or higher

First Aid

  • A working communication device (for example, cell phone) must be accessible.
  • Follow the school's first aid emergency response (consult First Aid Plan and First Aid Emergency Response) and the school board’s concussion protocol (consult Concussions).
  • An emergency action plan and response to deal with evacuations and lock downs must be followed and communicated to students.

Definitions

  • In-charge Person:
    • Some activities refer to an “In-Charge” person. While the teacher is in-charge and responsible for the overall safety and well-being of students under their care, sometimes there are other personnel who must be identified as “In-Charge” related to specific situations (for example, a pool lifeguard). In activities where an “In-Charge” person is designated, that person, in consultation with the teacher, must make final decisions regarding safety of the students
  • Supervision:
    • The vigilant overseeing of an activity for regulation or direction. Activities, facilities, and equipment have inherent risks, but the more effectively they are supervised, the safer they become.
    • The Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education designate three categories of supervision, Constant visual supervision, On-site supervision, and In-the-area supervision. The categories take into consideration the risk level of the activity, the participants’ skill level and the participants’ maturity. The three levels of supervision described are not hierarchical but represent the type of supervision that an activity requires and the type of supervision that is inherently possible.
  • Supervisor:
    • A supervisor is defined as a teacher, vice-principal or principal with a current certification from the Ontario College of Teachers and under contract by the school/school board. The supervisor is legally responsible for the students.
  • Types of Supervision:
    • Constant Visual Supervision:
      • Constant visual supervision means that the teacher is physically present, watching the activity in question. Only one activity requiring “Constant visual” supervision may take place while other activities are going on.
      • Curricular example: During a track and field session, some students are involved in high jump, some are practising relay passing on the track while a third group is distance running around the school. For high jump, the teacher is at the high jump area and is observing the activity.
      • Intramural example: During a school outdoor special events day, some students are involved in parachute games, some in relay games, and others in a team scavenger hunt around the school. For parachute, the intramural supervisor is at the event and is observing activity.
    • In-the-area Supervision:
      • In-the-area supervision means that the teacher could be in the gymnasium while another activity is taking place in an area adjacent to the gymnasium. In-the-area supervision requires the teacher to be readily accessible.
      • In-the-area supervision occurs:
        • in activities in which students may be out of sight for periods of time and the location of the teacher is not nearby (for example, alpine skiing, cross-country running). At least one of the following criteria must be in place:
          • The teacher is circulating
          • The location of teacher has been communicated to students and volunteers
        • in single activities and those that may be combined (for example, other in- the- area activities such as badminton, table tennis, handball – wall) with the following criteria in place:
          • The teacher must be circulating between the activities and readily accessible
          • The teacher informs students of the location of the activities
      • Curricular example: During a track and field session, some students are involved in high jump, some are practising relay passing on the track while a third group is distance running around the school. For distance running, the students are running around the school and at times may be out of sight.
      • Intramural example: During a school outdoor special events day, some students are involved in parachute games, some in relay games, and others in a team scavenger hunt around the school. For a scavenger hunt, the students are running around the school grounds and at times may be out of sight.
    • On-site Supervision:
      • On-site supervision entails teacher presence but not necessarily constantly viewing one specific activity. Momentary presence in adjoining rooms (for example, equipment room) to the gym is considered part of “on-site supervision”.
      • Curricular example: During a track and field session, some students are involved in high jump, some are practising relay passing on the track while a third group is distance running around the school. For a relay, the students are practising on the track and can be seen by the teacher who is with the high jumpers.
      • Intramural example: During a school outdoor special events day, some students are involved in parachute games, some in relay games, and others in a team scavenger hunt around the school. For relay games, the students are participating on the playground and can be seen by the intramural supervisor.

Fri, 08/25/23 09:47 am

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