- Definition
Phases of movement" means breaking down any action, like throwing a ball, into three steps: getting ready, doing the action, and finishing up. Thinking about these steps helps your child do the movement better.
For a basketball shot, the preparation is bending your knees, the execution is pushing up and releasing the ball, and the follow-through is snapping your wrist.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Phases of movement are like the three parts of throwing a ball: you wind up to get ready, you throw the ball, and your arm swings forward to finish.
Ask your child: Let's break down a throw. What's the beginning, middle, and end?
Common mix-up: Kids often focus only on the main action, like the moment the ball is thrown. The 'get ready' and 'finish' motions are just as important for power, accuracy, and safety.
Examples
- In a soccer kick, the preparation is the run-up, execution is striking the ball, and follow-through is the leg swinging forward.
- For a tennis serve, you toss the ball up (preparation), strike it with your racket (execution), and let your arm swing down (follow-through).
phases of movement is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
