Physical

The Physical domain focuses on the skills and fitness a person acquires and applies through movement.

Download the Physical Domain

Movement skills

Movement skills that allow a person to move (land, water, snow, ice), from one place to another.

What it could look like:

• Rolling, sliding, climbing
• Walking, running, skipping, galloping
• Jumping, hopping, dodging
• Swimming strokes, gliding
• Floating, diving

Pre-foundational - Stage 0

I have the potential to learn through movement and physical activity. At this stage I have limited movement capability and require support.

Foundation & Exploration - Stage 1

Establishes and explores new movement skills.

• Demonstrating introductory elements of running skills e.g. lifting high knees when running
• Demonstrating introductory elements of jumping skills e.g. swinging arms to help generate height or distance
• Floating using a buoyancy aid
• Performing a sitting dive

Acquisition & Accumulation - Stage 2

Practices and develops movement skills, performing them with increasing proficiency.

• Running with increasing control and accuracy e.g. at different speeds, direction or avoiding obstacles
• Practicing and developing a variety of jumping techniques e.g. long jump, catching a rebound in basketball
• Performing survival sculling and treading water techniques
• Performing a surface dive

Consolidation & Mastery - Stage 3

Enhances and masters movement skills through participation in diverse movement and physical activity.

• Running with the same degree of competency on different surfaces e.g. hills, sand, trails
• Performing complex jumping skills with control e.g. fosbury flop, split leap
• Performing proficient survival and rescue techniques in a pool
• Performing a racing dive

Transfer & Empowerment - Stage 4

I am empowered by movement and physical activity. I continually transfer my skills, knowledge and feelings to different movement and physical activity contexts.  I use combinations of elements from all four domains, and apply my learnings through movement and physical activity to other aspects of my life.

• Being an accomplished tennis player, you know that determination and regulating your emotions is an important part of the game. To complement your cardiovascular fitness you complete gym sessions several times a week as you know building muscular strength is an important factor in preventing injuries. You enjoy the physical and mental demands of tennis and decide to further your knowledge by taking part in a coaching course. You hope to influence the culture of your tennis club by becoming a coach and being a role model for others.

Moving with equipment

Movement skills used to move on, in or with equipment from one place to another.

What it could look like:

• Riding a bike, scooter, horse
• Using a wheelchair, walking frame
• Surfing, kayaking, sailing, rowing, stand-up paddle boarding
• Skiing, snowboarding
• Skating

Pre-foundational - Stage 0

I have the potential to learn through movement and physical activity.  At this stage I have limited movement capability and require support.

Foundation & Exploration - Stage 1

Establishes and explores ways to move on, in, or with equipment.

• Riding a bike with training wheels and/or riding a balance bike
• Learning to slide down snow on skies with support of a person

Acquisition & Accumulation - Stage 2

Practices and refines moving on, in, or with, equipment with increasing proficiency.

• Riding a bike without support
• Skiing without support on gentle slopes and building proficiency on steeper slopes

Consolidation & Mastery - Stage 3

Enhances and masters proficiency to move on, in, or with equipment, with control and precision in diverse movement and physical activity.

• Riding a bike for competition e.g. BMX, mountain bike, track cycling
• Skiing on a range of different slopes and terrains, applying the necessary movement skill to successfully meet demands required.

Transfer & Empowerment - Stage 4

I am empowered by movement and physical activity. I continually transfer my skills, knowledge and feelings to different movement and physical activity contexts.  I use combinations of elements from all four domains, and apply my learnings through movement and physical activity to other aspects of my life.

• Being an accomplished tennis player, you know that determination and regulating your emotions is an important part of the game.  To complement your cardiovascular fitness you complete gym sessions several times a week as you know building muscular strength is an important factor in preventing injuries.  You enjoy the physical and mental demands of tennis and decide to further your knowledge by taking part in a coaching course. You hope to influence the culture of your tennis club by becoming a coach and being a role model for others.

Object manipulation

Movement skills that use a body part(s) to move or manipulate an object.

What it could look like:

• Throwing an object
• Catching an object
• Dribbling an object
• Kicking an object
• Striking an object

Pre-foundational - Stage 0

I have the potential to learn through movement and physical activity.  At this stage I have limited movement capability and require support.

Foundation & Exploration - Stage 1

Establishes and explores how the body can be used to move, hold, control, send and manipulate different objects.

• Throwing an object different distances
• Walking or running whilst carrying or moving a ball

Acquisition & Accumulation - Stage 2

Practices and refines object manipulation skills performing them with increasing proficiency.

• Throwing an object at a target with increasing accuracy
• Dribbling a ball with control (hand, foot or stick)

Consolidation & Mastery - Stage 3

Enhances and masters object manipulation skills with control and precision in diverse movement and physical activity.

• Changing the angle, speed and/or power an object is thrown with proficiency
• Dribbling a ball at speed and changing direction quickly in response to an opponent's movement or tactic

Transfer & Empowerment - Stage 4

I am empowered by movement and physical activity. I continually transfer my skills, knowledge and feelings to different movement and physical activity contexts. I use combinations of elements from all four domains, and apply my learnings through movement and physical activity to other aspects of my life.

• Being an accomplished tennis player, you know that determination and regulating your emotions is an important part of the game.  To complement your cardiovascular fitness you complete gym sessions several times a week as you know building muscular strength is an important factor in preventing injuries.  You enjoy the physical and mental demands of tennis and decide to further your knowledge by taking part in a coaching course. You hope to influence the culture of your tennis club by becoming a coach and being a role model for others.

Coordination

Ability to move different body parts in a controlled, smooth and efficient manner.

What it could look like:

• Diving
• Dancing
• Skipping

Pre-foundational - Stage 0

I have the potential to learn through movement and physical activity.  At this stage I have limited movement capability and require support.

Foundation & Exploration - Stage 1

Establishes and explores how to move different body parts in a controlled manner.

• Moving to music exploring control and movement of the body
• Using hand-eye coordination to strike a ball with a racket

Acquisition & Accumulation - Stage 2

Accumulates and develops the necessary body control to improve coordination and proficiency during movement and physical activity.

• Performing a routine to music demonstrating consistent coordinated movements
• Moving to the flight of a ball and striking it with accuracy

Consolidation & Mastery - Stage 3

Optimises body control and coordinates movements to meet the demands of diverse movement and physical activity.

• Performing a routine to music demonstrating complex movement and coordination
• Adjusting the body to strike a ball from a variety of positions e.g. forehand, backhand, volley

Transfer & Empowerment - Stage 4

I am empowered by movement and physical activity.  I continually transfer my skills, knowledge and feelings to different movement and physical activity contexts.  I use combinations of elements from all four domains, and apply my learnings through movement and physical activity to other aspects of my life.

• Being an accomplished tennis player, you know that determination and regulating your emotions is an important part of the game.  To complement your cardiovascular fitness you complete gym sessions several times a week as you know building muscular strength is an important factor in preventing injuries.  You enjoy the physical and mental demands of tennis and decide to further your knowledge by taking part in a coaching course. You hope to influence the culture of your tennis club by becoming a coach and being a role model for others.

Stability/balance

Skills involving balance and weight transfer.

What it could look like:

• Static balances e.g. standing on one foot
• Balancing with a partner e.g. counter balance, counter tension
• Balancing while moving e.g. walking on a beam, pivoting
• Snowboarding, surfing, skating

Pre-foundational - Stage 0

I have the potential to learn through movement and physical activity. At this stage I have limited movement capability and require support.

Foundation & Exploration - Stage 1

Establishes and explores balance and stability skills whilst stationary or moving.

• Balancing using different body parts e.g. standing on one leg, V-sit
• Attempting to stand up on equipment when moving e.g. surfboard, skateboard, snowboard

Acquisition & Accumulation - Stage 2

Accumulates and develops the necessary body control to improve stability and balance proficiency during movement and physical activity.

• Performing controlled balances with different body parts e.g. handstand
• Balancing while moving on equipment e.g. surfboard, skateboard, snowboard

Consolidation & Mastery - Stage 3

Optimises stability and balance to meet the demands of participation in diverse movement and physical activity.

• Performing complex balances with control e.g. completing a handstand on a balance beam
• Maintaining balance whilst completing complex manoeuvres e.g. surfboard, skateboard, snowboard

Transfer & Empowerment - Stage 4

I am empowered by movement and physical activity.  I continually transfer my skills, knowledge and feelings to different movement and physical activity contexts.  I use combinations of elements from all four domains, and apply my learnings through movement and physical activity to other aspects of my life.

• Being an accomplished tennis player, you know that determination and regulating your emotions is an important part of the game. To complement your cardiovascular fitness you complete gym sessions several times a week as you know building muscular strength is an important factor in preventing injuries. You enjoy the physical and mental demands of tennis and decide to further your knowledge by taking part in a coaching course. You hope to influence the culture of your tennis club by becoming a coach and being a role model for others.

Flexibility

Capacity of a joint or muscle to move through its full range of motion.

What it could look like:

• Static and dynamic stretching
• Yoga poses
• Gymnastics
• Dancing

Pre-foundational - Stage 0

I have the potential to learn through movement and physical activity.  At this stage I have limited movement capability and require support.

Foundation & Exploration - Stage 1

Develops and explores the body’s range of motion in movement and physical activity.

• Exploring the body's range of motion through participating in a beginner's form of yoga
• Sitting cross legged or bending to pick something off the floor

Acquisition & Accumulation - Stage 2

Accumulates and develops the necessary flexibility to utilise the body's range of motion in a variety of movement and physical activity.

• Regularly participating in yoga and demonstrating an increasing range of motion
• Performing static or dynamic stretches to improve overall range of motion e.g. hamstring stretch, high kicks

Consolidation & Mastery - Stage 3

Optimises flexibility and range of motion to meet the demands of participation in diverse movement and physical activity.

• Participating in advanced forms of Yoga and demonstrating full range of motion
• Completing a stretch training program to improve flexibility in specific part(s) of the body, to assist performance in a particular physical activity

Transfer & Empowerment - Stage 4

I am empowered by movement and physical activity. I continually transfer my skills, knowledge and feelings to different movement and physical activity contexts. I use combinations of elements from all four domains, and apply my learnings through movement and physical activity to other aspects of my life.

• Being an accomplished tennis player, you know that determination and regulating your emotions is an important part of the game.  To complement your cardiovascular fitness you complete gym sessions several times a week as you know building muscular strength is an important factor in preventing injuries.  You enjoy the physical and mental demands of tennis and decide to further your knowledge by taking part in a coaching course. You hope to influence the culture of your tennis club by becoming a coach and being a role model for others.

Agility

Ability to quickly change body position and/or direction of the body.

What it could look like:

• Changing direction when playing games
• Dodging and evading opponents when playing games

Pre-foundational - Stage 0

I have the potential to learn through movement and physical activity.  At this stage I have limited movement capability and require support.

Foundation & Exploration - Stage 1

Establishes and explores how the body moves and changes direction.

• Moving forwards, backwards, and side to side
• Playing tag, trying to evade a tagger

Acquisition & Accumulation - Stage 2

Accumulates and develops the necessary agility to change direction, and/or body position, with increased proficiency in a variety of movement and physical activity.

• Changing direction quickly e.g. negotiating agility poles
• Side stepping an opponent

Consolidation & Mastery - Stage 3

Optimises agility to meet the demands of participation in diverse movement and physical activity.

• Changing direction with speed, balance and control
• Changing your body position in response to the quick movements of an opponent

Transfer & Empowerment - Stage 4

I am empowered by movement and physical activity.  I continually transfer my skills, knowledge and feelings to different movement and physical activity contexts.  I use combinations of elements from all four domains, and apply my learnings through movement and physical activity to other aspects of my life.

• Being an accomplished tennis player, you know that determination and regulating your emotions is an important part of the game.  To complement your cardiovascular fitness you complete gym sessions several times a week as you know building muscular strength is an important factor in preventing injuries.  You enjoy the physical and mental demands of tennis and decide to further your knowledge by taking part in a coaching course. You hope to influence the culture of your tennis club by becoming a coach and being a role model for others.

Strength

Ability to carry out work against a resistance.

What it could look like:

• Push-ups, pull-ups
• Squats and lunges
• Lifting weights

Pre-foundational - Stage 0

I have the potential to learn through movement and physical activity.  At this stage I have limited movement capability and require support.

Foundation & Exploration - Stage 1

Establishes a foundation of strength and explores how to apply greater force.

• Using light weights to complete a beginner's resistance training program
• Lifting, pulling, pushing, resisting and moving objects

Acquisition & Accumulation - Stage 2

Demonstrates strength to lift, pull, push, rotate, resist or move body and/or objects.

• Using weights that are appropriate for an intermediate resistance training program
• Lifting, pulling, pushing, resisting and moving objects with safe and correct technique

Consolidation & Mastery - Stage 3

Optimises strength to meet the demands of participation in diverse movement and physical activity.

• Using heavier weights to complete an advanced resistance training program to increase strength for improved performance
• Lifting, pulling, pushing, resisting and moving heavier objects with safe and correct technique

Transfer & Empowerment - Stage 4

I am empowered by movement and physical activity. I continually transfer my skills, knowledge and feelings to different movement and physical activity contexts.  I use combinations of elements from all four domains, and apply my learnings through movement and physical activity to other aspects of my life.

• Being an accomplished tennis player, you know that determination and regulating your emotions is an important part of the game.  To complement your cardiovascular fitness you complete gym sessions several times a week as you know building muscular strength is an important factor in preventing injuries. You enjoy the physical and mental demands of tennis and decide to further your knowledge by taking part in a coaching course. You hope to influence the culture of your tennis club by becoming a coach and being a role model for others.

Muscular endurance

Ability of a muscle(s) to repeatedly exert force over a sustained period of time.

What it could look like:

• Push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups
• Yoga, pilates
• Rock climbing

Pre-foundational - Stage 0

I have the potential to learn through movement and physical activity.  At this stage I have limited movement capability and require support.

Foundation & Exploration - Stage 1

Establishes and builds a foundation of muscular endurance in response to movement and physical activity.

• Attempting body weight exercises e.g. push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups
• Attempting to lift the body off the ground and holding until muscle fatigue e.g. holding onto a bar above the head

Acquisition & Accumulation - Stage 2

Accumulates and develops muscular endurance to support regular participation in movement and physical activity.

• Performing body weight exercises to develop muscular endurance e.g. lunges, squat jumps
• Completing a beginner grade route in indoor rock climbing

Consolidation & Mastery - Stage 3

Optimises muscular endurance to meet the demands of participation in diverse movement and physical activity.

• Undertaking a specific weights program to enhance muscular performance in a physical activity
• Regularly completing more advanced grade routes in indoor rock climbing to increase muscular endurance

Transfer & Empowerment - Stage 4

I am empowered by movement and physical activity. I continually transfer my skills, knowledge and feelings to different movement and physical activity contexts. I use combinations of elements from all four domains, and apply my learnings through movement and physical activity to other aspects of my life.

• Being an accomplished tennis player, you know that determination and regulating your emotions is an important part of the game.  To complement your cardiovascular fitness you complete gym sessions several times a week as you know building muscular strength is an important factor in preventing injuries.  You enjoy the physical and mental demands of tennis and decide to further your knowledge by taking part in a coaching course. You hope to influence the culture of your tennis club by becoming a coach and being a role model for others.

Cardiovascular endurance

Ability of the heart and lungs to deliver oxygen to working muscles.

What it could look like:

• Running, cycling, swimming, rowing etc. for extended distances/periods of time
• Walking briskly for 30 minutes or more

Pre-foundational - Stage 0

I have the potential to learn through movement and physical activity. At this stage I have limited movement capability and require support.

Foundation & Exploration - Stage 1

Establishes and builds a foundation of cardiovascular endurance in response to movement and physical activity.

• Willingly stopping to recover then continuing low intensity exercise
• Going for a brisk walk

Acquisition & Accumulation - Stage 2

Accumulates and develops the necessary cardiovascular endurance to participate in regular movement and physical activity.

• Regularly completing 30-60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity
• Running, swimming, or cycling over greater distances

Consolidation & Mastery - Stage 3

Optimises cardiovascular endurance to meet the demands of participation in diverse movement and physical activity.

• Undertaking regular specialised cardiovascular training to enhance performance
• Participating regularly in aerobic endurance events e.g. 10km running race, adventure race, rowing race, or a triathlon

Transfer & Empowerment - Stage 4

I am empowered by movement and physical activity.  I continually transfer my skills, knowledge and feelings to different movement and physical activity contexts.  I use combinations of elements from all four domains, and apply my learnings through movement and physical activity to other aspects of my life.

• Being an accomplished tennis player, you know that determination and regulating your emotions is an important part of the game.  To complement your cardiovascular fitness you complete gym sessions several times a week as you know building muscular strength is an important factor in preventing injuries.  You enjoy the physical and mental demands of tennis and decide to further your knowledge by taking part in a coaching course. You hope to influence the culture of your tennis club by becoming a coach and being a role model for others.

Reaction time

Length of time taken to respond to a given stimulus.

What it could look like

Reacting to:

• the start of a race
• a movement of an object
• an opponent's movements
• perform a skill

Pre-foundational - Stage 0

I have the potential to learn through movement and physical activity.  At this stage I have limited movement capability and require support.

Foundation & Exploration - Stage 1

Establishes and explores how to respond appropriately to stimuli.

• Reacting to a signal by either starting or stopping movement
• Reacting to a moving object e.g. moving into position to hit a ball

Acquisition & Accumulation - Stage 2

Practices and refines responding to stimuli in time, appropriately and with increased proficiency.

• Reacting to the start gun in a race
• Reacting to a ball that is travelling towards you or changes direction

Consolidation & Mastery - Stage 3

Optimises reaction time to meet the demands of frequent participation in diverse movement and physical activity.

• Reacting quickly to the start gun in a race
• Reacting to a ball that is travelling quickly or changes direction suddenly

Transfer & Empowerment - Stage 4

I am empowered by movement and physical activity.  I continually transfer my skills, knowledge and feelings to different movement and physical activity contexts.  I use combinations of elements from all four domains, and apply my learnings through movement and physical activity to other aspects of my life.

• Being an accomplished tennis player, you know that determination and regulating your emotions is an important part of the game.  To complement your cardiovascular fitness you complete gym sessions several times a week as you know building muscular strength is an important factor in preventing injuries.  You enjoy the physical and mental demands of tennis and decide to further your knowledge by taking part in a coaching course. You hope to influence the culture of your tennis club by becoming a coach and being a role model for others.

Speed

Ability to move quickly across the ground, through the water or air or move limbs rapidly.

What it could look like:

• Sprinting, jumping, swimming
• Moving the arms quickly to hit/catch/ throw an object

Pre-foundational - Stage 0

I have the potential to learn through movement and physical activity.  At this stage I have limited movement capability and require support.

Foundation & Exploration - Stage 1

Establishes and explores how to move at different speeds.

• Participating in a short race with intent to move quickly
• Throwing a ball at different speeds

Acquisition & Accumulation - Stage 2

Develops and applies the necessary speed to participate in multiple movements and physical activities.

• Training to improve sprint time and compete in a race
• Throwing a ball with increased speed

Consolidation & Mastery - Stage 3

Optimises speed to meet the demands of frequent participation in diverse movement and physical activity.

• Performing controlled movements at an optimal speed e.g. running and jumping in hurdles
• Throwing a ball at optimal speed e.g. fast pitch in baseball

Transfer & Empowerment - Stage 4

I am empowered by movement and physical activity.  I continually transfer my skills, knowledge and feelings to different movement and physical activity contexts.  I use combinations of elements from all four domains, and apply my learnings through movement and physical activity to other aspects of my life.

• Being an accomplished tennis player, you know that determination and regulating your emotions is an important part of the game.  To complement your cardiovascular fitness you complete gym sessions several times a week as you know building muscular strength is an important factor in preventing injuries.  You enjoy the physical and mental demands of tennis and decide to further your knowledge by taking part in a coaching course. You hope to influence the culture of your tennis club by becoming a coach and being a role model for others.