Gymnastics in Action

Alison Mews is co-ordinator of the Centre for Instructional Services at
Memorial University of Newfoundland.

These eight books are the latest in the highly visual Sports in Action
series on children’s favourite sports. Each book includes a historical
overview of the sport, identifies its basic rules, provides clearly
illustrated instructions (including warm-ups and safety procedures),
describes any equipment used, and explains how the professional leagues,
if any, conduct the sport. All books have colorful photographs of
children engaged in the sport and, where necessary, additional
illustrations to demonstrate and clarify the textual explanations. The
photos are exceptionally well done and add excitement as well as
accuracy by freezing poses in mid-action and, often, mid-air. Each book
includes an index and a glossary of boldface terms.

Badminton in Action emphasizes the amazing speed of competitive games
using feather shuttles, which can clock speeds over 300 kph. Focusing on
singles’ badminton, with doubles’ games briefly described, the book
specifies serve techniques, proper body positions, and scorekeeping,
which is different for women’s and men’s games. Bowling in Action
discusses strikes, spares, and other configurations in tenpin bowling.
It also provides detailed diagrams of the lane, pins, and scoring
frames, as well as synopses of other games of bowling such as fivepin,
lawn, carpet, and Italian bocce.

Cheerleading in Action informs us that cheerleading has evolved into a
competitive athletic sport in its own right. The book includes gymnastic
and dancing routines, and features both male as well as female
participants. There are diagrams of the various hand, arms, and jumping
positions, as well as an example of a typical chant with words and body
positions. Throughout are many remarkable photos of impressive squad
stunts in competitions. Gymnastics in Action addresses the artistic
style of gymnastics, with its tumbling runs and acrobatic flips, and
gives a brief description of the rhythmic style, which uses ribbons,
ropes, and balls. The basic moves of a few of the hundreds possible are
described, including the use of rings and stationary apparatus. The
differences between boys’ and girls’ events and equipment are
delineated as well.

In-line Skating in Action stresses the importance of using protective
gear. The book examines balance, stance, falling correctly, navigating
obstacles, and stopping. It also includes sections on “street
smarts,” or safety skills when on city streets, and “aggressive
skating” or daring aerial tricks that use ramps and should be
performed only by experts. Lacrosse in Action declares that lacrosse is
North America’s oldest sport and Canada’s national summer sport.
Developed by Native Americans, it has evolved into different types,
depending on whether it is played by males or females or indoors or out.
The rules, positions, and equipment unique to each are all outlined.

Swimming in Action details both competitive and leisure strokes, with a
focus on swimming in pools rather than in open water. Pool rules and
safety measures are accentuated and methodology is given for diving and
jumping. Information about racing events and pool games rounds out the
volume. Wrestling in Action focuses on amateur wrestling rather than pro
wrestling, which is more entertainment than sport. Differences between
folk style, freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling are addressed, and
varieties of moves, countermoves, and scoring are clearly depicted with
actual photos and explanatory text.

Although competitions are discussed, an emphasis on sportsmanship and
teamwork permeates the books. This is especially welcome in the
increasingly competitive climate of youth sports. These books make
excellent introductions to the topics presented, and are useful both in
a school or a home setting. All of the volumes are highly recommended.