Balance Training for Basketball Players
Basketball is jump, land, cut, repeat, often on one foot and often onto someone else's. That makes ankle sprains one of the game's most common inju...
SlackBoards for Kids: Balance, Coordination and Confidence
In this article
The short answer
A SlackBoard turns balance practice into play. Kids build coordination, body awareness and confidence by doing what they already love: wobbling, bouncing and trying to stay on. Start younger kids on the two-line SlackBoard Plus with an adult nearby, and let them move to one line when they're ready for a challenge.
Why balance matters for growing kids
Balance sits underneath almost every physical skill a child learns, from riding a bike to catching a ball. Researchers who study physical education describe it as a basic motor skill, closely tied to coordination, that's worth developing deliberately from the early school years (review of primary-school balance research, 2023).
Kids also need plenty of movement. US guidelines say children aged 3 to 5 should be active throughout the day, and kids aged 6 to 17 need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity every day (CDC). A SlackBoard won't replace running around outside, but it gives kids a way to move indoors on rainy days and screen-heavy afternoons.
Which SlackBoard for kids?
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Younger kids and first-timers: the SlackBoard Plus in two-line mode. Standing across both lines gives a stable start.
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Older or more confident kids: switch the Plus to single-line mode, or choose the original single-line SlackBoard.
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Families: every board holds up to 400 lb, so parents can use it too.
Kids who skateboard, surf, snowboard or ride mountain bikes often love it as cross-training between sessions.
Safety first
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An adult supervises young children every time.
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Use the board on a flat floor with clear space on all sides: no furniture edges, toys or stairs nearby.
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Bare feet or sneakers, not socks.
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One kid on the board at a time.
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Keep sessions short and stop before they get tired and sloppy.
6 balance games for kids and families
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Statue. Stand on the board and freeze like a statue. How long can you hold it?
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Bounce count. Gently bounce on the line. Who can get the most bounces in a row without stepping off?
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Animal poses. Call out an animal and hold its pose: flamingo (one foot), frog (squat), bear (hands on the floor).
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Catch. A parent tosses a soft ball while the child balances on the board.
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Eyes on the prize. Pick a spot on the wall to stare at, then try looking up, down and sideways while staying on.
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Family leaderboard. Everyone takes a turn at the same challenge and you track the record on the fridge.
FAQ
Q: What age can kids use a SlackBoard?
A: Young kids can start in two-line mode with an adult supervising. SlackBoard is recommended for children ages 3+
Q: Is a balance board good for kids?
A: Yes, as one part of an active day. Balance is a building block for coordination and most sports skills, and a board makes practicing it fun.
Q: Which is better for kids, the SlackBoard or the SlackBoard Plus?
A: The SlackBoard Plus, because kids can start in stable two-line mode and switch to one line as they improve.
Q: Can adults use the same board?
A: Yes. Every SlackBoard holds up to 400 lb.
Sources
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Strategies for optimizing balance in physical education lessons in primary school students. Review, 2023. Reference Global
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CDC. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, by age. cdc.gov
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GIBBON USA support center: SlackBoard FAQ. support.gibbon-usa.com
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