Examples of Instructional Cues: Similes
Compare to Another Sport
Badminton: Footwork (forward) is like a lunge in fencing.
Tennis: An overhand serve is like an overarm throw.
Compare to Nonsport
Badminton: Avoid a frying pan grip.
Basketball: Same hand/same knee is like a puppet on a string. (lay-up)
Bowling:
Backswing/foreswing is like a pendulum.
Follow through like you're shaking hands/answering the phone.
Catching: Catch around the clock.
Floor hockey: Accept a pass like you would a friend. (gently giving)
Golf:
Golf around the clock. (driving positions 3, 6, 9, follow through)
Swing the club like you're cutting grass with a weed cutter.
Swing the club as if you're swinging a bucket so the water doesn't spill until it's on the way up.
Putting motion is like a pendulum.
Juggling: Elevator, moon shot, rainbow, tennis.
Locomotion:
Gallop like a horse.
Leap as if you're crossing a stream.
Walk as if on thin ice, deep mud, hot sand, etc.
Racket sports:
Backhand motion is like throwing frisbee.
Scratch your back with the racket (serving/overhead). Shake hands with the racket. (eastern forehand grip)
Tossing ball for serve is like reaching up to screw in light bulb.
Volleying is like punching the ball.
Running: Hold teacups in your hands.
Skating:
Basic position is like sitting in chair.
Don't bail hay. (arm motion when striding)
T-position is like getting ready to curtsey.
Soccer:
Passing ball is like spreading sand with your feet.
Trapping ball with bottom of foot: Not as hard as breaking balloon; not as soft as breaking egg.
Swimming:
Breast stroke kick: Kick like a frog.
Breast stroke arms: Make a heart and cut it in half. Breast stroke arms: Scrape out pail of ice cream, eat it, and go back for more.
Butterfly kick: Kick like a dolphin.
Front crawl arms: Pull like a backward 'S'.
Sidestroke arms: Pick an apple, take a bite, put it in the other hand, and then in the basket.
Tumbling: Preparing hands for a backward roll is like holding a pizza platter.
Volleyball:
Look through the window as you position your hands for setting.
Sit down in a chair as you take off for blocking or spiking.