Crossovers

Equipment

For this task, you’ll need 2 pylons (5 metres apart)

Instruction

“I want you to perform crossover steps from this pylon to the next. I want you to perform a crossover, or grapevine, step from here to there. Please do the best you can. Ready? Go now.

three young children in a line doing crossoversthree young children in a line doing crossovers

Rating System

Developing 

Initial 

Presence of numerous major gaps in execution
  • Does not perform crossover steps (side shuffles, or other incorrect movement)
  • Performs half the crossover step (front leg crossing over, or rear, but not both)

Emerging  

Limited number of major gaps, but able to execute basic sequencing of the task
  • Crossover steps are inconsistent but evident
  • Speed of progression is slow
  • Upper body isn’t participating

Acquired  

Competent

     Basic level of execution with minor     sequencing errors
  • Able to show front and rear crossovers for the entire distance travelled
  • Speed is moderate and does not falter
  • Evidence of upper body coordination present

Proficient  

     Overall proficiency is depicted by the     quality of the movements
  • Demonstrates fluid crossovers
  • Coordinated upper and lower body actions
  • Excellent speed of progression

Assessment Example

Scott is nine and he has never played baseball before. He's really excited, and his mom wants him to have the best experience possible. She asks her brother, Dan, who coaches baseball, what she should do to help make sure Scott is ready. Dan has been watching Scott since he was a baby and knows his nephew is fairly athletic, but he wants to know just how physically literate Scott is, so he offers to take him out to the park.

At the park, Dan has Scott run through a number of PLAYfun locomotor activities, including crossovers. Scott takes to the activity with good speed, and for the most part he's able to display front and rear crossovers. However, Scott sometimes misses a rear step, and when he does it throws off his whole motion and instead of adjusting in mid-stride, Scott usually has to stop and start fresh.

 Dan also sees that Scott's upper body coordinates well with the movement of his lower body, but again, when Scott stumbles, it takes him a moment to realign his coordination. Dan places a mark under “Competent”, but he places it close to “Emerging”.