Trampolining

Includes: Aeroball, Aeroballing, Trampoline Parks, Exercise Trampettes Indoors, Outdoors, Height

Age:
4+
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Bouncy fun

Trampolining is brilliant aerobic exercise. It improves your balance and there are loads of challenging tricks to learn!

Overview

Trampolining is a competitive Olympic sport in which gymnasts perform acrobatics while bouncing on a trampoline. Girls can have a go by just bouncing or learning some tricks, according to their level of confidence and skill.

Looking for something a little more challenging on a trampoline? Try aeroballing – a cross between trampolining, basketball and volleyball.

Approved: 16 March 2022
Version: 1.1
Content owner: Adventure team

Planning checklist

If you or another member of your leadership team is running the activity, follow these extra steps.

In your unit meeting place

  • Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed. Make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose. Check the equipment is suitably insured and confirm what would happen if there was any damage. 
  • Check you hold the relevant qualification, if one is needed, to run the activity and let your commissioner know you plan to run it yourself. If you aren’t sure, speak to your local adviser to check.
  • Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls, leaders and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity if a qualification is needed). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.

At an external venue

  • Arrange for a home contact. Leave any route or other relevant details with your home contact and complete a home contact agreement form. Let them know about any changes to your plans.
  • Tell your commissioner.
  • Check you hold the relevant qualification (if one is needed) to run the activity and let your commissioner know you plan to run it yourself. If you aren’t sure, speak to your local adviser to check.
  • Check with the venue that they have the correct equipment and, if needed, specialist clothing that will meet the needs of your group.
  • Get any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity not provided by the venue, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
  • Check that any equipment is suitably insured by the provider and agree what happens to the equipment if it gets damaged.
  • Ask for a copy of the venue's safety guidelines and risk assessment.
  • Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls, leaders and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity if a qualification is needed). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.
  • Consider the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions and plan the session accordingly.

Some venues might ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents/carers must sign on behalf of their child. You can do this along with the consent form. Parents and carers should be given sufficient information from the provider along with the waiver so they can make an informed decision to sign it or not. Leaders can only sign disclaimers and waivers for their own personal participation.

If you're working with an external provider or external instructors to run this activity, follow these extra steps. 

In your unit meeting place

  • Check the guidance for having an external visitor at your unit.
  • Inform the external qualified adult of the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions that need to be considered when running the activity.
  • Check the qualified adults hold the correct qualification to be able to run the activity (see the information below).
  • Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity that isn't being provided by the external qualified adult, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
  • Check any equipment you source or borrow is suitably insured and confirm what would happen if there was damage to the equipment. 

At an external venue

  • Arrange for a home contact. Leave any route or other relevant details with your home contact and complete a home contact agreement form. Let them know if you make any changes to your plans.
  • Tell your local commissioner.
  • Tell the activity provider about the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions that need to be considered when running the activity.
  • Choose a reputable and licensed activity provider (where applicable).
  • Check the qualified adults hold the correct qualification to be able to run the activity (see the information below).
  • Get copies of the instructor qualifications and public liability insurance of the activity provider before you book.
  • Ask for a copy of the providers' safety guidelines and risk assessment.
  • Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.
  • Check with the venue that they have the correct equipment and, if needed, specialist clothing that will meet the requirements for your group.
  • Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity not provided by the venue, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
  • Check that any equipment is suitably insured by the provider and agree what happens to the equipment if it gets damaged.

Some venues might ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents/carers must sign on behalf of their child. You can do this along with the consent form. Parents and carers should be given sufficient information from the provider along with the waiver so they can make an informed decision to sign it or not. Leaders can only sign disclaimers and waivers for their own personal participation.

Trampolines must always be supervised by a qualified British Gymnastics coach or teacher.

Instructors must hold at least:

If the instructor is a school teacher, they must have attended the Teachers' Course for Trampolining (minimum of one day).

These qualifications do not apply to sport trampettes or small enclosed trampolines (such as those used for aeroball) at leisure facilities.

Trampoline parks

Instructors are not required at trampoline parks but please see safety regulations for further guidance.

Trampoline parks

When taking girls to trampoline parks you should consider the following as part of your risk assessment:

  • Does the facility adhere to the latest safety standards? Both for the trampoline equipment and general facilities (the facility should be able to provide evidence of this, certificates, notification of conformity etc).
  • Does the park generally look clean and well maintained?
  • Does the trampoline equipment look in good condition? Is it regularly inspected? There should be no tears or rips in any of the visible materials.
  • Is there plenty of padding around the equipment and around the outside of the trampolines next to walkways?  Is there plenty of foam in the foam pits and is the foam in good condition?
  • Does the park have risk assessments and clear operating procedures?
  • Does the park have public liability insurance? Is it for £5 million or greater, in date and with a reputable insurer?
  • Is a safety briefing provided? All jumpers must receive a safety briefing from park staff before taking part in the activity.
  • Are there clearly displayed rules for park users to follow, this should be near each activity area and clearly explaining what the rules for each piece of equipment are? There should only be one bouncer per trampoline.
  • Are court monitors always visible and active at every activity in the park? As a minimum, there must be one supervisor to every 20 bouncers.
  • What qualifications and training do the court monitors/park staff have? Are there first aiders present provided by the

If you are planning a sleepover at a trampoline park please follow the residential ratios and guidance.

The ratios below are given as a maximum and ratios must be considered as part of the risk assessment, this may lessen due to any medical conditions, physical ability or other factors.

Leadership team ratio

As this activity will take place outside of your usual meeting place the leadership team ratio is mandatory.

  • Rainbows: 1:5, minimum of 2 adults
  • Brownies: 1:8
  • Guides: 1:12
  • Rangers: N/A – with leader permission

Qualified adult/participant ratio

The activity leader (qualified adult) should determine what size of group is safe. There must be enough qualified adults to ensure the safety of all participants.

The number will be determined by any limitations placed on their qualification, permit or the rules of their operating organisation as well as the risk assessment. This should take into consideration the location, weather and experience of both the qualified adult and other participants. The leader should assess the risk and any concerns must be raised to them.

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