Description:
A Cartwheel is a basic gymnastics skill, and is generally one of the first acrobatic elements that a gymnast will learn. In order to perform this skill efficiently, the ability to split the leg to at least 90 degrees is required (the wider the range the better). For this reason, working on straddle splits and pancake positions are extremely important. Maintaining a tight core will also help in maintaining the balance and stability during the skill.
Process:
- begin in a lateral stand (the direction you will face will depend on whichever side you feel more comfortable)
- spread feet to slightly wider than shoulder width apart and raise arms overhead
- for stability, point forward foot toward the direction you will be traveling in, and have the opposite foot face slightly outward
- spot the point where you will be planting your first hand (this is generally about a foot in front of your leading leg)
- lunge sideways with leading leg and plant lead hand on the ground
- simultaneously drive the rear leg (if planting right hand first, left leg should drive upwards, and vice versa)
- continue to reach for the ground with the following hand and drive the rear leg up and over the head so that your body passes through a lateral handstand position with the legs apart
- as body rotates, plant the leg that left the floor last (rear leg) down on the floor and immediately raise your lead hand off the floor
- continue the momentum and naturally allow the other foot to reach the floor, at which point lift up your opposite hand off the floor
- finish in a stand with arms raised overhead (you should be facing the same direction you started)
