Grade 6 Physical And Health Education Gymnastics – Fence Vault Notes
Physical & Health Education — Gymnastics
Subtopic: Fence Vault (Age 11 — Kenyan primary school)
What is a Fence Vault?
A fence vault is a safe way to jump over a low fence or bench by using your hands on the top edge to help push your body over. In school lessons we practice over low, safe equipment (a vaulting box, low gym bench or soft low fence) so pupils learn balance, power and control.
Learning Objectives
- Learn the steps of the fence vault safely and in order.
- Develop safe take-off, hand placement and landing.
- Improve leg power, coordination and confidence.
- Follow safety rules and work cooperatively.
Equipment & Kenyan school options
- Low vaulting bench or small wooden fence (height 30–50 cm for beginners).
- Gym mats or folded mats for landing — or a soft sand/grass area if mats not available.
- Cones to mark run-up and take-off points.
- Teacher supervision and simple first-aid nearby.
Warm-up (8–10 minutes)
- Light jog around the playing area — 2 minutes.
- Leg swings (front/back) — 10 each leg.
- Knee raises and heel flicks — 30 seconds each.
- Arm circles and wrist warm-up (important for hands on the fence).
- 3 practice take-off hops and 3 small step-overs on a low bench.
Steps to learn the Fence Vault (simple progressions)
- Stand and check: Place the bench/fence in the middle of a clear area. Make sure the surface is not slippery.
- Approach/run-up: Take 3–5 easy steps (not a full sprint). Aim for a controlled, steady approach.
- Take-off (hurdle step): Push off the last step with both feet to get forward momentum.
- Hand placement: Place both hands shoulder-width on top of the fence, fingers pointing forward. Keep arms slightly bent.
- Hip lift and tuck: Use your arms and a small jump to get your hips above the fence while tucking legs up.
- Clear and land: Swing legs through and step or land on two feet on the other side with knees slightly bent to absorb impact.
Teacher tip: Let pupils first practice stepping over the fence (one foot then the other) before trying a vault. Use a spotter (teacher or a pupil) at first.
Simple visual: 4-step sequence
Safety rules
- Always warm up and wear shoes with grip or be barefoot on a soft surface.
- Check the fence/bench is stable and not too high for the child’s level.
- Use mats for landing — if not available, use soft grass/sand and reduce height.
- Teacher or spotter stands next to the fence to help learners at first.
- No pushing, no running from other children near the landing area.
Common mistakes & how to fix them
- Hands too close or too far apart — show correct shoulder-width placement.
- Not using arms to lift hips — encourage a strong push-down on the fence.
- Legs dropped too early — practice tucking knees up over the fence first.
- Stiff landing — teach soft knees and controlled step forward.
Assessment (simple for age 11)
Use this checklist when observing a pupil:
- Approach is controlled (3–5 steps) — Yes / No
- Hands placed correctly — Yes / No
- Clears the fence safely — Yes / No
- Lands with bent knees and balance — Yes / No
Values learned
Fence vaults teach courage, self-discipline and teamwork (helping and spotting each other). Encourage respect for equipment and classmates.
Quick lesson plan (20–25 minutes)
- Warm-up (8–10 min)
- Demonstration & teacher-led practice (5 min)
- Paired practice with spotting (7–10 min)
- Cool-down and reflection (2–3 min)
Notes for Kenyan teachers: adjust fence height to pupil size, use local bench/folded mats, and always supervise closely. Praise small improvements to build confidence.