Physical Education: Rhythm, Juggling, and School Baseball

Rhythm: 3rd ESO (2nd Term)

Choreography is the art or practice of designing sequences of movements for physical bodies in which motion, form, or both are specified. In dance, choreography is the act of designing the dance, and a choreographer is the person who designs these sequences.

Elements of Choreography

The art of choreography involves the specification of human movement and form in terms of:

• Space
• Shape
• Time
• Energy

Structure of a Dance

The number of beats per minute in music is measured in BPM (Beats Per Minute). A dance is composed of movements called steps. Beats and steps do not always align, as steps can span more or less than one beat.

• Phrase: The most basic structure, consisting of 8 beats. The first beat is the strongest and is called the accent.
• Series: A union of 4 phrases (32 beats). The first beat of a series is called the superaccent.
• Basic: One full repetition of the main dance sequence.
• Tag or Bridge: Extra steps inserted to ensure the dance fits the musical phrasing.
• Variation: A replacement of an 8-beat section with compatible steps.
• Restart: A point where the sequence is interrupted and started again from the beginning.

Types of Choreography

• Low Impact: Dancers maintain at least one foot in contact with the floor.
• High Impact: Dancers jump, with moments where both feet are off the floor.
• Combi: A mix of low and high-intensity movements.

Methods and Techniques

Choreographers use three primary methods: Improvisation (generalized directives), Planned Choreography (detailed dictation), and Mixed Choreography (a blend of both).

Common techniques for multiple dancers include Mirroring, Shadowing, Levels, Canon, and Retrograde.

Enriching Choreography

To improve expression, dancers should vary movements, play with contrasts (tension/relaxation), ensure coordination, use specific costumes, and change formations dynamically.

Juggling

History

Juggling dates back to ancient Egypt and China. In Europe, it declined after the Roman Empire but was revived with the birth of the modern circus in 1768. The International Jugglers' Association was founded in 1947.

Categories and Methods

• Toss Juggling: Throwing and catching objects in the air.
• Bounce Juggling: Bouncing objects off the ground.
• Contact Juggling: Manipulating objects in constant contact with the body.

Performance Styles

Styles include Circus (technical skill), Comedy (street performance), Gentleman (sophisticated, using clothing items), and Themed (costumed acts).

Baseball

Baseball is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams. The batting team scores runs by hitting the ball and advancing around bases, while the fielding team attempts to record outs.

School Baseball Rules

School Baseball is adapted for safety and fun. Key differences include using softer equipment, playing with 5 bases, and having the pitcher be a teammate rather than a rival.

Elimination Methods

1. Fly out: Catching a ball in the air (results in a team switch).
2. Strike out: Failing to hit the ball after 3 attempts.
3. Cut play: Touching the pitcher's plate with the ball.
4. Force out: Touching a base with the ball before the runner arrives.
5. Tag out: Touching a runner with the ball while they are off-base.
6. Two in a base: Two runners occupying the same base.