MOBAK-KG: Basic motor competencies in kindergarten. Testmanual (3rd. edition)

Abstract

The MOBAK-KG enables a standardized and economic assessment of basic motor competencies in 4-6-yearold children. The implementation of the curriculum-based MOBAK items is quickly and easily achieved in a sports hall. Due to the dichotomous coding (passed vs. failed) and clear standardization criteria, the assessment of the items is easily and comprehensibly carried out. The evaluation is significantly facilitated by the formation of total values.

Full text

TEST MANUAL
MOBAK-KG
Basic motor competencies in kindergarten
Christian Herrmann
Ilaria Ferrari
Marina Wälti
Sarah Wacker
Jürgen Kühnis

Imprint
Authors:
Prof. Dr. Christian Herrmann
Prof. Dr. Ilaria Ferrari Ehrensberger
Marina Wälti
Sarah Wacker
Prof. Dr. Dr. Jürgen Kühnis
Layout:
Kathrin Bretz
Marina Wälti
Photo credit:
Céline Scheidegger
Logo MOBAK-KG:
created by Kümmel, www.kuemmel-cartoon.de
Edition:
3rd edition: Mai 2020
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3774438
Proposed Citation:
Herrmann, C., Ferrari, I., Wälti, M., Wacker, S. & Kühnis, J. (2020). MOBAK-KG: Basic motor
competencies in kindergarden. Test manual (3rd ed.). doi: 10.5281/zenodo.3774438.

MOBAK-KG
Basic motor competencies in kindergarten
TEST MANUAL
Content
Initial situation ............................................................................................. 3
Test setup and content ................................................................................. 3
Test implementation .................................................................................... 3
Test assessment ......................................................................................... 4
Test evaluation ............................................................................................ 4
Test quality criteria ...................................................................................... 4
Application areas ........................................................................................ 5
Summary .................................................................................................... 5
Evaluation table .......................................................................................... 6
Overview of the test items .......................................................................... 8
Description of the test items ....................................................................... 10

5
Initial Situation
In the course of systematic quality assurance, increasingly the question to which extent learning outcomes are
achieved by children in sports and physical education arises. The central learning objectives of physical education in
kindergarden and primary school are the curriculum-based basic motor competencies that enable children to play an
active part in the culture of sports and exercise.
Targeted diagnostics are an indispensable prerequisite for the systematic promotion of basic motor competencies.
By describing the children’s level of motor competencies, information is gained that helps teachers to adapt their
methodical and didactic behaviour to the children’s requirements. In order to assess and measure basic motor com-
petencies, valid and practicable survey tools are needed.
Test setup and content
MOBAK-KG is designed for 4- to 6-year-old children. Thus, questions about the status and development of basic
motor competencies in early childhood can be dealt with.
The basic motor competencies of self-movement are covered with four tasks (balancing, rolling, jumping, running)
and object movement with four tasks (throwing, catching, bouncing, dribbling). The diculty and complexity of the
requirements set in the MOBAK items are adapted to the children’s age.
Object
movement
BalancingThrowing Bouncing Dribbling Rolling
Self-
movement
Basic motor
competencies
(MOBAK)
Catching Jumping Running
Test implementation
The MOBAK-KG enables a standardized and economical assessment of basic motor competencies for scientic tes-
ting as well as sports teaching practice testing. The implementation of the curriculum-based MOBAK items is quickly
and easily achieved in a sports hall. Each test task is explained and demonstrated once by the test leader.
For scientic testing, a supervised operation is recommended, in which a test leader completes each of the eight
tasks with three or four children one after another. The full testing cycle takes about 35 minutes and can comfortably
be done within a 45-minute physical education lesson.
Executive Summary MOBAK-KG

6
For tests concerning sports teaching practice, it is recommended for items to be divided into several sports lessons
and evaluated individually. This approach renders the use of the MOBAK-KG feasible for individual teachers.
Test assessment
The assessment of the MOBAK items is easily feasible due to dichotomous coding (pass vs. fail) and clear standar-
dization criteria.
• MOBAK test items „throwing“ and „catching“: The children have six attempts each (no trial), with the number of
hits or failed attempts being noted. Afterwards 0-2 hits or passed attempts are to be rated with 0 points, 3-4 hits
or passed attempts with 1 point and 5-6 hits or passed attempts with 2 points.
• MOBAK test items „bouncing“, „dribbling“, „balancing“, „rolling“, „jumping“ and „running“: the children have two
attempts to complete the test items (no trial). These items are dichotomously scaled (0 = failed, 1 = passed),
with the number of successful attempts noted (never passed = 0 points, once passed = 1 point, passed twice =
2 points).
The criteria of passing / failing can be found in the descriptions of the test items.
Test evaluation
Through the formation of totals, the evaluation of the individual MOBAK test items and the two MOBAK competence
areas object movement and self-movement can easily be done.
• Based on the scores 0 to 2, the MOBAK test items provide specic information on which child passed which test
item and in which area there is need for support. This allows the content of lessons to be adapted to the current
level of the children’s performance.
• The MOBAK competence areas object movement and self-movement are calculated by the addition of the four
MOBAK test items, respectively. A maximum of 8 points (4 test items x 2 points) can be achieved for each area:
object movement = „throwing“ + „catching“ + „bouncing“ + „dribbling“
self-movement = „balancing“ + „rolling“ + „jumping“ + „running“
The MOBAK competence areas provide information on a broader range of tasks than the MOBAK test items.
Through the scoring system (0 to 8 points), the determination of the level of the basic motor competencies is
made possible.
Test quality criteria
To ensure content validity, the design and selection of MOBAK-KG items were closely linked to the objectives in the
German curricula. In a validation study (N = 403 children, 53% male, M = 5.69 years, SD = 0.56, range: 4.58-6.58
years) the construct validity of the MOBAK-KG was conrmed by conrmatory factor analyses. Reliability testing was
also carried out with the help of conrmatory factor analyses, which enable assessment of reliability on construct
measurement. The associated factor reliabilities (self-movement: FR = .67; object movement: FR = .71) are con-
sistently satisfactory.

Application areas
MOBAK-KG allows for the assessment of the following questions on the status and the development of basic motor
competencies:
• Screening: What is the current status of basic motor competencies?
• Monitoring: Are basic motor competencies achieved by children in physical education and how can physical
education be optimized in this area?
• Characterization of subpopulations: What are dierences between groups (e.g., gender, age) regarding basic
motor competencies?
• Diagnostics of special needs: Which basic motor competencies should be specically promoted (for the weaker
ones)?
• Description of the course of development: How do basic motor competencies change in the course of children’s
development?
• Intervention evaluation: Do basic motor competencies change after a targeted intervention?
Summary
The MOBAK-KG enables a standardized and economic assessment of basic motor competencies in 4-6-year-
old children. The implementation of the curriculum-based MOBAK items is quickly and easily achieved
in a sports hall. Due to the dichotomous coding (passed vs. failed) and clear standardization criteria, the
assessment of the items is easily and comprehensibly carried out. The evaluation is signicantly facilitated
by the formation of total values.

8
3mdasfasdf
Evaluation table MOBAK-KG test instrument
Area: Object movement Self-movement
Item: (1)
Throwing
(2)
Catching
(3)
Bouncing
(4)
Dribbling
(5)
Balancing
(6)
Rolling
(7)
Jumping
(8)
Running
Trials: 6622 2222
Valuation:
0-2 hits / passed attempts = 0 pts.
3-4 hits / passed attempts = 1 pt.
5-6 hits / passed attempts = 2 pts.
0 passed attempts = 0 pts.
1 passed attempts = 1 pt.
2 passed attempts = 2 pts.
0 passed attempts = 0 pts.
1 passed attempt = 1 pt.
2 passed attempts = 2 pts.
No. Name f/m (Hits) Pts.
(passed
att-
empts)
Pts. Points Points Total
points Points Points Points Points Total
points
Item average:
Class average: Object movement: Self-movement:
3mdasfasdf

9
3mdasfasdf 3mdasfasdf
Evaluation table MOBAK-KG test instrument
Area: Object movement Self-movement
Item: (1)
Throwing
(2)
Catching
(3)
Bouncing
(4)
Dribbling
(5)
Balancing
(6)
Rolling
(7)
Jumping
(8)
Running
Trials: 6622 2222
Valuation:
0-2 hits / passed attempts = 0 pts.
3-4 hits / passed attempts = 1 pt.
5-6 hits / passed attempts = 2 pts.
0 passed attempts = 0 pts.
1 passed attempts = 1 pt.
2 passed attempts = 2 pts.
0 passed attempts = 0 pts.
1 passed attempt = 1 pt.
2 passed attempts = 2 pts.
No. Name f/m (Hits) Pts.
(passed
att-
empts)
Pts. Points Points Total
points Points Points Points Points Total
points
Item average:
Class average: Object movement: Self-movement:

10
Object movement
Throwing (1) Catching (2) Bouncing (3) Dribbling (4)
Qualication Can hit a target with a ball. Can catch a ball. Can bounce and catch a ball. Can dribble a ball without losing con-
trol.
Test set-up The target is placed at 1.1 m (lower
edge) height on a wall. 1.5 m in front
of the target a scratch line is marked.
Two lines are marked with tape at a
1.5 m distance from each other. These
lines are connected by a vertical line
and marked in the middle at 0.75 m.
A ball is ready on an open area. A
cross of tape is marked on the oor.
A corridor is marked with tape (2.8 x
9.0 m internal dimensions) with co-
nes placed in all corners. After 3.0 m
and after 6.0 m, a middle section of
a vaulting box is placed transversely
into the corridor.
Test item The child throws six rounders from a
scratch line at a target.
The test leader throws the basketball
with obliquely outstretched arms onto
the middle ground marking, so that
the ball jumps about 1.1 m up. The
child catches the ball after the bounce.
The child continuously bounces the
ball to the oor with both hands and
catches it again without losing the
ball.
The child dribbles the ball with its
feet around the vaulting box parts
through the corridor.
Criteria The child stands behind the vaulting
box middle section. Hitting the target
counts as a point.
The ball must be caught with the
palms of the hands. The ball must not
be caught in the „basket“ or pressed
against the chest to hold it.
The ball must be bounced at least 5
times in a row without error from the
beginning. The ball must not be lost.
There must be an active accelerati-
on of the ball by a forearm push (no
dropping). The ball must be caught
with the palms of the hands.
The child has to move forward
smoothly and continuously. The ball
may not be touched with the hands.
The sides of the corridor may not be
left neither by the child nor the ball.
The side markings and the vaulting
box sections may not be touched.
Valuation 6 attempts, the amount of successful
attempts is recorded.
6 attempts, the amount of successful
attempts is recorded.
2 attempts, the amount of successful
attempts is recorded.
2 attempts, the amount of successful
attempts is recorded.
Materials • 6 rounders
(diameter: 65 mm; weight: 80 g)
• 1 round target (diameter: 40 cm)
• Middle part of vaulting box
• Tape (approx. 30 mm wide)
• 1 small basketball
(size 3; diameter: 17 cm)
• 1 pole
• Tape (approx. 30 mm wide)
• 1 volleyball (size 5)
• Tape (approx. 30 mm wide)
• 1 futsal (size 4, weight: 350 g)
• 4 cones
• 2 vaulting box middle sections
(L: 1.5 m)
• Tape (approx. 30 mm wide)

11
Self-movement
Balancing (5) Rolling (6) Jumping (7) Running (8)
Qualication Can balance across a turned-over
long bench.
Can roll forwards. Can jump forwards continuously
(one-legged).
Can run forwards and backwards.
Test set-up A long bench is placed upside-down
on the oor. On the middle of the
bench, a distance of 3.0 m is marked
with tape.
Two mats are laid one after ano-
ther on a springboard. In front of the
springboard, a upper section of a
vaulting box is placed.
2 lines at a distance of 3.0 m are
marked with tape and cones.
A corridor of 0.6 x 4.0 m is marked
perpendicular to the wall with tape
and cones. The start line (short side
of the corridor) is marked with tape.
Test item From the rst marking, the child ba-
lances forward over the reversed
long bench to the second marking,
touches it and then balances back-
wards back to the rst marking.
The child performs a forward roll on
the downwardly inclined plane and
comes to a standstill on its feet in
one ow.
The child starts in a two-legged
stand behind the starting line. It
continuously jumps on one leg until
it crosses the end line. Afterwards
it turns and jumps on the other leg
back to the starting line.
The child starts behind the starting
line, runs forwards to the wall and
touches it with his hand. Then it
runs backwards until it touches the
start line and repeats the whole se-
quence. Running back and forth twi-
ce in a row is considered one attempt.
Criteria The child balances without stopping.
Fluent forward and backward move-
ment has to be visible. The markings
must be touched. The bench may
not be left. The hip of the child must
be perpendicular to the long bench.
Step-to-step technique is not allowed.
The movement execution is uid
without interruption. The rolling mo-
vement is straight with a round back
and takes place over the neck and if
necessary over the back of the head.
No rolling o the sides/over the
shoulders. The child may not stand
up with crossed legs.
The child jumps continuously without
stopping for more than 1 second.
The one-legged jump must be main-
tained over the entire distance.
The child makes continuous steps
and runs back and forth twice without
interruption. Cones and side lines
must not be touched. The wall and the
start line must be touched. The hip
(body transverse axis) remains per-
pendicular to the running direction.
Valuation 2 attempts, the amount of successful
attempts is recorded.
2 attempts, the amount of successful
attempts is recorded.
2 attempts, the amount of successful
attempts is recorded.
2 attempts, the amount of successful
attempts is recorded.
Materials • 1 long bench (38 cm high, at the
bottom at least 3.2 m x 10 cm)
• Tape (approx. 30 mm wide)
• 2 gymnastic mats
(approx. 7 cm thick)
• Springboard
• Upper section of a vaulting box
• 4 cones
• Tape (approx. 30 mm wide)
• 6 cones
• Tape (approx. 30 mm wide)

12
Throwing (1)
Test battery MOBAK-KG
Area Object movement
Qualication Can hit a target with a ball.
Test set-up The target is placed at 1.1 m (lower edge) height on a wall. 1.5 m in front of the target a
scratch line is marked. The long side of the middle section of a vaulting box is applied to
the scratch line.
Test item The child throws six rounders from a scratch line at a target.
Criteria • The child stands behind the vaulting box middle section.
• Hitting the target counts as a point.
Valuation 6 attempts, amount of hits is recorded.
Materials • 6 rounders (diameter: 65 mm; weight: 80 g)
• 1 round target (diameter: 40 cm)
• Middle section of a vaulting box
• Tape (approx. 30 mm wide)
Instruction/
Demonstration
„Stand behind the vaulting box and throw the balls at the target. You have six attempts in
total. Have a look, I’ll show it once.“ (demonstration)
Information for
the test leader
• The type of throwing is selected freely (pushing the ball is allowed).
• Demonstration of an impact throw.

13

14
Test battery MOBAK-KG
Area Object movement
Qualication Can catch a ball.
Test set-up Two lines are marked with tape at a 1.5 m distance from each other. These lines are con-
nected by a vertical line and marked in the middle at 0.75 m with tape. For orientation, a
pole is marked at a height of 1.1 m and placed next to the line.
Test item The test leader and the child stand behind the lines 1.5 meters apart. The test leader th-
rows the basketball with obliquely outstretched arms onto the middle ground marking, so
that the ball jumps about 1.1 m up. The child catches the ball after the bounce.
Criteria • The ball is caught after the bounce.
• The ball must be caught with the palms of the hands.
• The ball must not be caught in the „basket“ or pressed against the chest to hold it.
Valuation 6 attempts, the amount of successful attempts is recorded.
Materials • 1 small basketball (size 3; diameter: 17 cm)
• 1 pole
• Tape (approx. 30 mm wide)
Instruction/
Demonstration
„Position yourself behind the line. I will drop the ball on the oor once so it bounces back.
Try to catch the ball after the bounce. Catch the ball with your hands so it does not touch
your chest.“ (demonstration)
Information for
the test leader
• Demonstration: Test leader positions himself in front of the child and holds up the ball
in front of his head.
• The ball may be caught with both hands.
• The test leader should practice the throwing of the ball to make sure the ball bounces
up 1.1 m.
• Beware of scattering balls.
• The ball may be caught directly after the bounce or after passing the reversal point.
Catching (2)

15

16
Bouncing (3)
Test battery MOBAK-KG
Area Object movement
Qualication Can bounce and catch a ball.
Test set-up A ball is ready on an open area. A cross of tape is marked on the oor.
Test item The child continuously bounces the ball to the oor with both hands and catches it again
without losing the ball.
Criteria • The ball must be bounced at least 5 times in a row without error from the beginning.
• The ball must not be lost.
• There must be an active acceleration of the ball by a forearm push (no dropping).
• The ball must be bounced rhythmically on the oor.
• A maximum of 1 sec may pass between the bounces.
• The ball must be caught at approx. drop height.
• The ball must be caught with the palms of the hands.
Valuation 2 attempts, the amount of successful attempts is recorded.
Materials • 1 volleyball (size 5)
• Tape (approx. 30 mm wide)
Instruction/
Demonstration
„Stand with the ball in your hands and your legs slightly straddled. Bounce the ball on the
ground and catch it again. Do it as often as you can. I’ll tell you when to stop. Have a look,
I’ll show it once.“ (demonstration)
Information for
the test leader
• Demonstration with slightly straddled legs.
• One-handed bouncing is allowed.
• Allow the child to bounce up to ten times per trial, then ask to stop.
• As soon as an error occurs, the attempt is considered terminated.

17

18
Dribbling (4)
Test battery MOBAK-KG
Area Object movement
Qualication Can dribble a ball without losing control.
Test set-up A corridor is marked with tape (2.8 x 9.0 m internal dimensions) with cones placed in all cor-
ners. After 3.0 m and after 6.0 m, a middle section of a vaulting box is placed transversely
into the corridor. The starting point in the middle of the short side of the corridor is marked
with a cross of tape.
Test item The child dribbles the ball with its feet around the vaulting box parts through the corridor.
Criteria • The child has to move forward smoothly and continuously.
• The ball may not be touched with the hands.
• The sides of the corridor may not be left neither by the child nor the ball.
• The side markings may not be touched.
• The vaulting box parts may not be touched.
Valuation 2 attempts, the amount of successful attempts is recorded.
Materials • 1 futsal (size 4, weight: 350 g)
• 4 cones
• 2 vaulting box middle sections
• Tape (approx. 30 mm wide)
Instruction/
Demonstration
„Stand behind the start line with the ball on your foot. Dribble the ball between the vaulting
box sections through the corridor to the nish line. Stay in the eld between the two lines and
try not to touch the vaulting box parts.Have a look, I’ll show it once.“ (demonstration) “Re-
member that speed doesn’t matter. What matters is that the task is completed without error.“
Information for
the test leader
• The ball may be dribbled with both feet.
• The child may not stop for more than 1 second.
• Contests between the children, which lead to improper execution of the task, should
be stopped early.

19

20
Balancing (5)
Test battery MOBAK-KG
Area Self-movement
Qualication Can balance across a turned-over long bench.
Test set-up A long bench is placed upside-down on the oor with one end facing the wall. On the middle
of the bench, a distance of 3.0 m is marked with tape.
Test item From the rst marking, the child balances forward over the reversed long bench to the se-
cond marking, touches it and then balances backwards back to the rst marking.
Criteria • The child balances without stopping.
• Fluent forward and backward movement has to be visible.
• The marking must be touched.
• The bench may not be left.
• Balancing sideways is not allowed.
• The hip of the child must be perpendicular to the long bench.
• Step-to-step technique is not allowed.
Valuation 2 attempts, the amount of successful attempts is recorded.
Materials • 1 long bench (38 cm high, at the bottom 10 cm wide and at least 3.2 m long)
• Tape (approx. 30 mm wide)
Instruction/
Demonstration
„Step onto the bench and try to balance across. First you balance forward to the marking
and then backwards to the rst marking. Have a look, I’ll show it once.“ (demonstration)
Information for
the test leader
• The child may not stop for more than 1 sec.
• Corrections to keep the balance are allowed.
• The test leader announces the reaching of the end mark when going backwards.

21

22
Rolling (6)
Test battery MOBAK-KG
Area Self-movement
Qualication Can roll forwards.
Test set-up Two mats are laid one after another on a springboard, forming a downwardly inclined pla-
ne. In front of the springboard, an upper section of a vaulting box is placed.
Test item The child performs a roll forward on the downwardly inclined plane and comes to a stand-
still on its feet in one ow.
Criteria • The movement execution is uid without interruption.
• The rolling movement is straight with a round back and takes place over the neck and
if necessary over the back of the head.
• No rolling o the sides/over the shoulders.
• The child may not stand up with crossed legs.
Valuation 2 attempts, the amount of successful attempts is recorded.
Materials • 2 gymnastic mats (approx. 7 cm thick)
• Springboard (or see-saw block)
• Upper section of a vaulting box
Instruction/
Demonstration
„Stand on top of the vaulting box section. Squat down and place your hands in front of you.
Place your chin onto your chest and roll forward on the mat into a stand. You may lean on
your hands when getting up. Have a look, I’ll show it once.“ (demonstration without support
of hands when getting up)
Information for
the test leader
• Start from a squatted position. The chin is on the chest.
• The hands may assist in getting up.
• The test leader provides an example of a safe position. If intervening is necessary, the
attempt counts as failed.

23

24
Jumping (7)
Test battery MOBAK-KG
Area Self-movement
Qualication Can jump forwards continuously (one-legged).
Test set-up 2 lines at a distance of 3.0 m are marked with tape and cones.
Test item The child starts in a two-legged stand behind the starting line. It continuously jumps on one
leg until it crosses the end line. Afterwards it turns and jumps on the other leg back to the
starting line.
Criteria • The child jumps continuously without stopping for more than 1 second.
• The one-legged jump must be maintained over the entire distance.
Valuation 2 attempts, the amount of successful attempts is recorded.
Materials • 4 cones
• Tape (approx. 30 mm wide)
Instruction/
Demonstration
„Stand behind the starting line with both legs. Jump on one leg over to the end line. After
that, turn around and jump over to the start line on the other leg. Have a look, I’ll show it
once.“ (demonstration)
Information for
the test leader
• The child decides freely with which leg it starts.
• For the direction change the child may stand with both feet for a short moment.
• After the completion of the rst jumping distance, the test leader gives an indication
that the jumping leg must be changed.

25

26
Running (8)
Test battery MOBAK-KG
Area Self-movement
Qualication Can run forwards and backwards.
Test set-up A corridor of 0.6 x 4.0 m is marked perpendicular to the wall with tape and cones. The start
line (short side of the corridor) is marked with tape.
Test item The child starts behind the starting line, runs forward to the wall in the corridor and touches
it with his hand. Then it runs backwards until it touches the start line and repeats the whole
sequence. Running back and forth twice in a row is considered one attempt.
Criteria • The child makes continuous steps and runs back and forth twice without interruption.
• The cones and the side lines must not be touched.
• The wall and the start line must be touched.
• The hip (body transverse axis) remains perpendicular to the running direction.
Valuation 2 attempts, the amount of successful attempts is recorded.
Materials • 6 cones
• Tape (approx. 30 mm wide)
Instruction/
Demonstration
„Stand behind the starting line between the cones. Now run forward to the wall and touch it.
Then you run backwards until you touch the start line between the cones and do the same
again. Stay between the cones on the sides. Have a look, I’ll show it once.“ (demonstration)
Information for
the test leader
• Demonstrate with indication: forward, backwards, forward and backwards again.
• After the rst sequence, the test leader may give a reminder to repeat the sequence to
complete the attempt.

27

Contact
Prof. Dr. Christian Herrmann
Expert Group Physical Education
Zurich University of Teacher Education
Lagerstrasse 2
CH-8090 Zurich
Switzerland
Phone: +41 43 305 52 64
Email: christian.herrmann@phzh.ch
Homepages: www.mobak.info / www.phzh.ch