Component 1: 2.2 Planes and axes of movement — Edexcel GCSE Physical Education
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Component 1: 2.2 Planes and axes of movement explained
This topic explains how a somersault is produced by rotation in the sagittal plane about the frontal axis.
Read the full explanation
The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right halves and allows forward and backward movement. The frontal axis runs horizontally from side to side through the body, so rotation about it creates forward or backward tucking and piking actions. In a front somersault, the gymnast rotates forwards; in a back somersault, the rotation is backwards. A tucked somersault uses a tight curled shape to speed up rotation, while a piked somersault uses a bent-hip shape with straighter legs. Both shapes still rotate in the sagittal plane about the frontal axis. When answering, link the plane and axis to the direction of rotation and the body shape used.
Your focus
- Identify the sagittal plane and frontal axis as the plane and axis used in front and back somersaults.
- Describe how forward and backward rotation occurs in the sagittal plane about the frontal axis.
- Distinguish between tucked and piked body shapes in somersaults and explain that both use the same plane and axis.
Component 1: 2.2 Planes and axes of movement exam tips
Marking Points
- Identifies the sagittal plane as the plane of movement for a somersault.
- Identifies the frontal axis as the axis of rotation for a somersault.
- States that a front somersault involves forward rotation in the sagittal plane about the frontal axis.
- States that a back somersault involves backward rotation in the sagittal plane about the frontal axis.
- Recognises that tucked and piked shapes are variations within the same plane and axis.
- Distinguishes between tucked (tight curl) and piked (bent hips, straighter legs) body shapes.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Read the question carefully to identify whether it asks about the plane, the axis, or both, and answer only what is asked.
- 💡Use the correct terminology: sagittal plane, frontal axis, forward rotation, backward rotation, tucked, piked.
- 💡If a question shows a diagram, trace the direction of rotation and match it to the plane and axis before selecting your answer.
- 💡Eliminate options that mix up planes and axes, such as 'frontal plane about the sagittal axis' for a somersault.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the sagittal plane with the frontal plane. Correction: the sagittal plane divides the body into left and right, and is the plane for forward and backward movements such as somersaults.
- Confusing the frontal axis with the vertical or sagittal axis. Correction: the frontal axis runs side to side and is the axis for somersault rotation.
- Thinking that a tucked somersault uses a different plane or axis from a piked somersault. Correction: both use the sagittal plane and frontal axis; only the body shape changes.
- Believing that a back somersault rotates in the frontal plane. Correction: a back somersault rotates backwards in the sagittal plane about the frontal axis.