Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS): are basic physical skills that are essential for a
person's physical development and ability to engage in various physical activities and
sports. These skills are typically acquired during childhood and form the foundation for
more advanced and specialized movements. FMS are important for promoting physical
fitness, coordination, and overall well-being.
Learning Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) is important for students for several
reasons:
1. Physical Development: FMS form the foundation for more complex and
specialized physical activities. Mastering these skills helps in the overall physical
development of a student. It improves their strength, coordination, balance, and
flexibility, which are essential for a healthy and active lifestyle.
2. Physical Fitness: Proficiency in FMS contributes to better physical fitness. It
enables students to engage in a wide range of physical activities and sports,
promoting cardiovascular health, muscular strength, and endurance.
3. Confidence and Self-Esteem: As students acquire and improve their FMS, they
gain confidence in their physical abilities. Success in these basic skills can boost
self-esteem and self-confidence, which can extend to other areas of life.
4. Participation in Sports and Activities: FMS are the building blocks for sports
and recreational activities. Learning these skills opens up opportunities for
students to participate in team sports, individual sports, dance, gymnastics, and
other physical activities, fostering a lifelong interest in staying active.
5. Motor Skills Development: FMS are fundamental motor skills that lay the
groundwork for more advanced motor skills and coordination. These skills are
transferable to a wide range of activities and can improve fine motor skills as
well.
Types of Fundamental Movement Skills:
1. Locomotor Movement
2. Non Locomotor Movement
3. Manipulative
LOCOMOTOR MOVEMENTS - sometimes called traveling skills, transport the body as
whole form one point to another.
The preparatory movements to locomotor movements –
a. STEP- to transfer weight from one foot to the other.
b. SPRING- to push off the leg or legs in the air. It is a combination of a bend on
the knees and stretch
Examples are the following:
WALK- a series of steps in all directions. Moving at moderate pace on feet, lifting one
foot only after the other foot has touched the floor or ground. Legs swing from hips while
the arms swing naturally at sides.
RUNNING- is a walk with longer strides/ the rapid version of walking. Moving as
foot with springing steps at rapid pace such that both feet are off-ground during each
step. Arms usually in a right angle.
JUMPING- springing or taking-off on one foot or both feet, landing on both feet in any
direction or springing on both feet and landing on one or both feet.
HOPPING- springing on one foot and landing on the same foot.
SKIPPING- is a step-hop pattern on the same foot. Same procedure as hopping, but
bouncing lightly with alternative steps and hops.
LEAPING- springing on one foot and landing on the other foot.
GALLOPING- a step-cut pattern which displace the weight of the leading foot. A
continuous forward or sideward direction with one foot leading.
SLIDING- to move smoothly, continuously, and effortlessly or to glide along the floor.
There could be either a change or no-changing of weight.
NON-LOCOMOTOR MOVEMENTS- movements performed in place, usually while
standing, kneeling, sitting, or lying. Sometimes called axial movements, they involved
the axis of the body rotating around a fixed point. Some textbook authors label them
non-manipulative skills, and others call them non-traveling skills.
Examples are the following:
FLEXION- bending or shortening of a body part occurring at a joint. It brings two
adjacent parts of the body together, generally towards the body’s center, with ball-and
socket or hinge joints.
EXTENSION- to stretch, extend, or straighten a part of the body occurring at the joint
vertically, horizontally, or any point between.
ROTATION/TURN- is a partial or complete rotation of the body around an axis causing
a shift in weight placement. Turns can be executed dozens of ways—on a variety of
body parts, at a variety of levels, clockwise and counterclockwise.
TWIST- unlike a turn, which rotates the whole body, a twist rotates a part of the body
around an axis. The neck, trunk, arms, and legs are the body parts most easily twisted.
Wrists, ankles, shoulders, shoulders, and hips can be twisted to a lesser extent.
PENDULAR- swinging/swaying movement of the body from one point to another. A
sway is an easy, relaxed motion that sustains rather than suspends (usually side by
side). While a swing creates an arc or a circle around a stationary base (usually forward
to backward).
SHAKE- is a vibratory movement involving tension and relaxation. It can be performed
by the whole body as well as by individual parts.
FALL- moves the body from a higher position to a prone, supine, or on-the-side lying
position. Falls are often sudden, forceful movements, but they may also be executed
slowly and limply. Either way, the body should be relaxed to avoid injury.
MANIPULATIVE SKILLS - Manipulative skills, in the context of physical education and
motor development, refer to the ability to control and manipulate objects using various
body parts, such as the hands and feet. These skills involve precision, coordination, and
dexterity and are essential for activities that require interacting with objects.
Manipulative skills are categorized into several subskills, including throwing, catching,
kicking, striking, dribbling, and rolling, among others.
Throwing: Throwing is the skill of propelling an object, such as a ball, using the hand or
arm in a controlled and accurate manner. It is often used in sports like baseball, softball,
and javelin. Throwing involves a combination of coordinated movements, including
rotation of the trunk, arm extension, and follow-through.
Catching: Catching is the skill of receiving and gaining control of a thrown or propelled
object. It requires hand-eye coordination, tracking the object's trajectory, and using the
hands or other body parts to intercept and secure the object. Catching is fundamental in
sports like baseball, football, and frisbee.
Kicking: Kicking involves using the foot to strike an object, such as a soccer ball or a
kickball. This skill requires balance, timing, and control of the leg muscles to direct the
object accurately. Soccer, football (punting), and martial arts utilize kicking techniques
Striking: Striking involves using the hand or an implement, such as a racket or bat, to
hit an object. It requires precise hand-eye coordination and timing. Striking skills are
essential in sports like tennis, baseball, golf, and table tennis.
Dribbling: Dribbling is the skill of controlling an object, such as a basketball or a soccer
ball, while continuously moving and maintaining possession. It involves quick and
controlled touches with the hands or feet, helping players navigate around opponents.
Dribbling is commonly used in sports like basketball and soccer.
Rolling: Rolling is the act of propelling an object along the ground, typically using the
hands. It requires coordination and control to determine the object's speed and
direction. Rolling skills are often taught in early childhood education and can be used in
activities like bowling.
COMPONENTS OF BODY MOVEMENTS:
Body movements involve various components, which include:
Body Position: The posture or stance of the body, such as standing, sitting, lying down,
or being in a specific pose.
Direction: The path in which a movement occurs, such as forward, backward,
sideways, upward, or downward.
Range of Motion: The extent to which a joint can move, such as flexion (bending) and
extension (straightening).
Force: The strength or intensity of a movement, which can be gentle, moderate, or
forceful.
Speed: The rate at which a movement is executed, ranging from slow to fast.
Timing: The coordination of movements in relation to a specific rhythm or sequence,
such as timing in dance or sports.
