Fundamental movement skills

For some children, the age of three marks the maturation of the rudimentary stage - where the child has now progressed from crawling, creeping, and rolling - to upright posture movement: locomotion (walking, trotting), manipulation and co-ordination (crude throwing, catching, kicking) skills. This coincides with the child’s entry into the fundamental movement skill (FMS) stage. For some children, this stage may occur earlier or later. The key point here is that more movement related development across a range of motor patterns is now becoming evident. This stage is also described as the start of the ABC’S stage. Agility, Balance, Coordination and Speed are all now featuring in the activities of the child.

Fundamental movement skills may be subdivided into 4 broad categories:

1. Stability
2. Locomotion
3. Manipulation and Co-ordination
4. Awareness

These four categories and resulting movement skills can be further organised according to the sport skill in which these movement skills are most emphasised. The table below links the category of FMS with common skills and movements in rugby.