Many people conjure Olympic images when thinking about gymnastics: Mary Lou Retton's perfect 10 in the 1984 Games in Los Angeles; Kerri Strug's valiant performance through pain in 1996 in Atlanta; Bart Conner's dominance of American men's gymnastics in the 1970s. The fundamentals that every gymnast learns, however, are more mundane, and even a little funny looking at times. One of the basics that teaches locomotor skills is the crab walk.
Locomotor Skills
According to "Teaching Fundamental Gymnastics Skills," locomotor skills aid in strengthening the upper body, an essential requirement in the sport. Walking, running, leaping, jumping and hopping are all locomotor skills, aimed at developing support skills.
Animal Exercises
One of the animal moves that require locomotor skills from different parts of the body, the crab walk is unique in its positioning. While the other animal movements have the front of the body facing the floor, the crab walk has the back toward the floor. The puppy dog and camel walks are similar to the crab walk, while exercises such as the donkey kick incorporate leg lifts.
Crab Walk
Begin the crab walk by sitting on the floor. Place both hands behind you with your elbows facing out and your fingers pointing toward your feet. Put both feet firmly on the floor, pointing away from the rest of your body, and push your rear off the floor. Some instructors teach you to keep your arms and legs bent, while others may have you straighten your arms. Instructions may vary on whether to move your left leg with your left arm or move the opposite leg and arm at the same time. Either way, you should be able to move forward and backward with your buttocks lifted.
Skill Use
Exercises like the crab walk develop upper-body strength and flexibility, skills used on all pieces of gymnastics equipment. Floor and balance beam routines incorporate the footwork and movements. The balance and footwork of a vault landing also draw from the crab walk and other exercises. The rings require obvious arm, chest and back strength.
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