How To Do Cartwheel Gymnastics

Cartwheel gymnastics. Cartwheels are a fundamental gymnastics skill and one of the most important skills taught to young gymnasts. They are so common and well-known that your little gymnast was probably doing them long before he or she even started gymnastics. Cartwheels are a great way to start your gymnast on the path to tumbling.

Kids are very familiar with cartwheels. I often see children trying one everywhere. It happens, even though I don’t know if it is intentional.

It can sometimes be difficult to master a cartwheel. Below, I have provided step-by-step instructions on how to do one.

The Cartwheel

The cartwheel is:

• Synonymous With Gymnastics ;
• An inverted skill that is usually learned after the handstand.
• Performed on the floor and beam ;
• The round off, which is the gateway into higher-level gymnastics, builds to its variation. Round offs can be performed on beams, vaults, floors, bars, and bars. 

All cartwheels follow the rhythm Foot-Foot-Hand-Hand-Foot-Foot but may have variations in direction and hand placement.

For continuity in gymnastics, the lead leg of a cartwheel must be the same as the handstand’s front leg.

However, this doesn’t mean that athletes shouldn’t train both legs. It’s a mental challenge and a great way to improve your skills.

Cartwheel Technique

All cartwheels should:

• As tall as you can.
• have straight limbs and squeezed muscles;
• A wide straddle with pointed toes.
• are able to quickly turnover
• as straight as you can.

Gymnastics uses progressive methods to teach skills. Athletes should be able to learn all variants of it.

All cartwheels must be able to be performed in a straight line, beam. However, starting with a semi-circle shape can be a great way to get started!

All diagrams have a left-leg cartwheel. The arrow indicates which direction to travel

Get Started with a Baby Cartwheel

You can do a cartwheel within a day. However, it is better to learn how to use a baby cartwheel. Next, work your way up. In the image below, the gymnast performs a baby cartwheel by kicking to the same side. She kicks vertically over her head in the cartwheel. Practice will help you improve your cartwheel skills.

To master a cartwheel, you need to practice. In our article on power, we share an example of how to do a cartwheel. Please complete the 1,000 cartwheel challenge to learn how you can do a cartwheel in the same way as us. You can find it below. Remember, practice makes perfect! See also how to make aerial as the next step to improve your skills.

How To Do Cartwheel Step-By-Step

Step 1 – Stand in the direction you want

Start from the standing position. Then move forward by orienting your body so that your face is facing forward. Turn your body to the left to move to the right. To move to the left, turn your body towards the right. This is the first step regardless of which direction your body chooses.

Step 2 – Stand in a lunge position

After you’ve decided which direction you want to go, you can move into a lunge forward position by raising your arms in the air. The dominant leg should be in front. It should be bent slightly. You should keep the other leg straight behind you.

Step 3 – Take a look at

When you’re trying to do a cartwheel or learn something new, your body should be straight. Before you take another step, make sure everything is clear in front of you. Sometimes masking tape is a good guide.

*If you have an at-home balance beam, you can place it beside you to help you stay straight.

Step 4 – Use your hands

Place your strongest hand on the ground, with your foot on the other side. Next, raise your back leg (the leg that is straight but not bent). If your leg is bent slightly, place your right hand on the ground. If your left leg was slightly bent, place your right hand on the ground.

It doesn’t necessarily have to be with your dominant hand. For example, I use my right hand to do most things. I can write, brush my teeth, and eat. My right hand holds my right leg. My left foot is used to move my left leg forward, and my left hand for a cartwheel.

Five-step, in-action handstand

After placing your strongest hand on the ground, raise your back leg and kick it up. Then place your other hand on the ground. It is similar to a handstand. Your arms should now be extended to approximately shoulder width.

Step 6: Position your legs correctly

Step 5 requires you to keep your legs straight when performing step 5. You can balance your body using only your arms by holding the straddle position. The v-shape position is essential because it allows you to stay on the ground.

Step seven: Sticking to the land

The landing should be smooth and without a cartwheel. This is done by placing your weakest leg first and then your strongest hand.

Eighth step: The final move

If you place your non-strongest foot on the ground, your position will be “downward dog”.

It is important to ensure you land exactly the same way as you started.

There is one distinction between landing and starting lunges. Your strongest leg will be at the back. Your weaker leg will be in the front. The opposite direction will be facing you. Just like when you started, keep your arms straight.

It is important to stretch before doing a cartwheel in order to avoid injury. You will need to strengthen your core and upper-body muscles for this exercise. Stretch!

If you have any questions about how to cartwheel, please leave feedback and comment.

Disclaimer: This information is intended for educational purposes only. This information does not replace or substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Participation in this exercise requires you to be in good physical condition. Any information you access through this website is your responsibility.

Learn a Cartwheel with Tools

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Teaching a cartwheel over an object is my favorite way. This is how the cartwheel mat works. This method is easier than kicking your feet up or over your head, and your hands are slightly raised from the ground.

To perform a cartwheel across the block:

1. Start with a lunge.
2. Your hands should be turned 90 degrees to the left or right, depending on which side your gymnast is on.
3. To land on the opposite side, kick your feet across the block.

This tool can be used to help you determine which side of your gymnast is dominant when they tumble with it. Your gymnast should automatically turn her hands 90 degrees to the right. She should do a left cartwheel, with her left foot in front of her in her lunge. She will likely be performing a right cartwheel if she automatically turns her hand 90 degrees to the left.

Teaching Your Child How To Cartwheel

To ensure your child can cartwheel well, ask them the following questions:

• Are they following the correct sequence (F–F–H–F–F– F span data–contrast=”auto “>),) and are they putting the correct hand down on the leg in front of them?

(If there’s a right leg in front, the right side of your right hand should be down first and vice versa.

• Are their hands still as straight as possible? Are they able to straighten their arms?
• Are they moving with their legs and stretching as high as possible? Does a leg bend to push? Can it straighten quickly if it does?
• Are they looking at them?
• Are you able to travel with the skill or stay on the spot? It should travel.
• What are they telling themselves to do? How are they telling themselves where they want to go? It could be that their bodies are not following the instructions they give them if the answer is “I don’t know” (or a confused expression). The body can’t follow instructions if it doesn’t have them! A nice request such as “Hey body, let’s land that cartwheel standing up on our feet!” can cement the instruction and provide clarity and purpose for the next attempt.

Keep in mind to create a safe space for practicing cartwheels, away from sharp objects.

F.A.Q.