Learn about some tumbling basics that we focus on in both our tumbling classes and our advanced recreational gymnastics classes. Teaching the correct technique from the start is a huge help when progressing their tumbling skills onto the next step. Not only does teaching the correct technique help them progress more quickly, it also ensures their safety throughout their learning! The two major tumbling basics we will focus on is the cartwheel and the roundoff.
Things to Reinforce
All skills have a start and finish, be sure they know what that is supposed to look like.- Cartwheel Start: Arms by ears and favorite foot pointed out in front
- Cartwheel Finish: Feet landing side by side, arms by the ears.
- Mountain Climber Entrance: A mountain climber is when both legs are bent in a lunging position, with arms covering the ears. It should go into all handstands, cartwheels, roundoffs and front handsprings It promotes speed and power into the skill.
- Second hand needs to be turned in for Cartwheels and Roundoff, can use the term "car in the garage"
More Basic Reminders
Cartwheels and round offs should be kicking over the top so that the skill stays in a straight line. Using a line or going up against a wall helps let the gymnast know if they are going over the top correctly. Round offs need to land with their feet together before allowing them to add skills out of them.
Use props whenever needed to reinforce correct form. For example, place a sponge between the knees to keep legs together or hold foam blocks overhead to keep ears covered.
Drills for the Roundoff Shaping
There are so many different variations you can use to drill the roundoff! We like to use all these different drills to keep them excited about drilling the same skill each week. The different variations also make it simple to make a skill easier or harder based off an individuals needs.
- Power hurdle to "C" shape, mountain climber, cartwheel to lock
- Single leg hurdle to cartwheel step in
- Round off to "C" shape up a wedge mat
- Roundoff missing feet and scooping to back on a soft surface
- Roundoff up hill to a mat
- Roundoff flyback into standing mat against wall
Happy Tumbling!
