CIRCUS: FULL BODY SKILLS For use with WJEC Performing Arts GCSE

Physical warm up game Duck, Duck, Goose Form a circle. One person (A) walks around the outside of the circle touching the other members of the group gently on the head saying ‘Duck’ with every touch. At some point A will touch someone and say ‘Goose’. The tapped person (B) will chase A around the outside of the circle and they will race to stand in the position that B was standing in. Whoever gets there first will become part of the circle and the other person will take up A’s role and begin walking around the circle touching people on the head. The game continues like this. GAME ONE

Co-ordination game Ninja Jugglers Balance a juggling ball on your head (e.g. soft balls or hacky sacks) and space out around the room. The aim is simple, to knock everyone else’s ball off their head and be the last person standing with a ball balanced on top of your head. When your ball has been knocked off, you are ‘out’ and must stand at the side. If your ball drops off your head, you are also out. No physical contact is allowed during the game. GAME TWO

Focus game Invisible Ball Circle Form a circle. One person begins by saying the name of another member of the group and ‘Red Ball’, they then pretend to throw the invisible red ball to the named person. The person with the invisible red ball then continues the pattern, saying someone’s name and ‘red ball’. Then, your teacher will add more ‘invisible balls’ of whichever colour. Focus and be very clear with your communication of the ball colour. At the end of the game, your teacher will ask you what colour ball you have. It will be interesting to see if there are still the same number of invisible balls left in the group, usually the number and colour of balls will have changed unless you are a very focused group! GAME THREE

Basic skills Your teacher will begin every session with a quick run-through of the basics of the skills to help solidify your learning and improve your overall technique. If you are always attempting new tricks and never practising basics, none of your tricks will be solid to perform. It also warms you up ready for trying new and more challenging tricks. Some basics are listed on the next few slides.

Staff Figure of eight – practise this with both hands, more on the weaker hand if necessary. Flat spinning – both directions if possible. Planes – try to work through as many planes using the figure of eight pattern as can easily be achieved by the participant. Flat spinning can also be practised behind the back (wall plane) and above the head (ceiling plane). Also try to practice body turns, linking moves and any other tricks you are comfortable with. SKILL ONE

Hula Hoop Waist spin - both directions ideally. Hand spins – both directions, both hands on as many planes as you are able to comfortably achieve. Body spins – any other part of the body you can comfortably spin a hoop on should also be practised. It’s also a good idea to run through any other tricks you can perform comfortably. SKILL TWO

Diablo Building up speed – often you will attempt tricks without the Diablo having enough spin to achieve the move smoothly, so getting this basic technique solid is very important. You can play with different variations on speeding up the Diablo. Throws – this is one of the earlier tricks you should be learning and will need to perform many other tricks, so practice is essential. Again, you should practise any other tricks you can comfortably achieve. SKILL THREE

Advanced skills and progression After spending a little time running over the basics, your teacher will have a chat with you to see what new tricks you would like to learn and offer advice on what techniques are best to practise. Focusing on one new trick for a session often means you will be able to achieve it by the end of the lesson, and you will feel fulfilled.

Basic routine creation Routine creation is an essential part of circus performing, so learning the basics now is a very good idea. Perform the tricks you are comfortable with first and finish with the new trick you have been practising in that session.

Show what you’ve learnt Performing regularly in front of an audience is also essential as you learn circus. Do a small show at the end of each session where you take it in turns to perform solo, in duos or in groups. This will dramatically improve your stage presence and help reduce nerves in future. It is important to be very supportive of all your fellow learners in this part of the session.