How to do a Cartwheel
Posted on April 25th, 2009 by Elaine
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The cartwheel is one of the most basic moves practiced in gymnastics, but you don’t really have to be a professional gymnast to do one. With these easy steps, you can perform a good cartwheel to impress your friends. Here’s what you should do.
What You’ll Need:
- Loose or flexible clothes
- A soft padded surface like a carpet or a mat
- A spotter (when you get better, you can do this on your own)
Procedure:
- Survey your surroundings. The best place to practice a cartwheel is at a roomy location, with a padded landing surface. Remember, you might tumble over your side or land on your head during the first few tries. You might also hit other people, so try to do your first cartwheels in a place that’s not too crowded. Remove rocks or other cluttered objects before you practice.
- Decide which type of cartwheel you’ll be doing. There are two types: side to side and front to back. Side to side means you only face one direction throughout the move, while front to back makes you end up facing the other way when you land. These steps are for the front to back maneuver.
- Take a long, deep breath. For some people, doing a cartwheel for the first time can be scary. A deep breathe helps you relax and removes your fear.
- Raise your hands, extending them above your head as if you’re reaching for the sky. Make them as straight as possible, and don’t bend them. Your hands should be turned inwards, towards your head, your arms touching your ears.
- Point your lead foot towards the direction you’re going. The other foot should be turned slightly outwards, giving you better balance.
- Look down at the ground, and be aware of where you’re placing your hands.
- Reach downwards with one hand, the same one as your lead foot. For example, if your right foot is the lead, use your right hand to reach and touch the floor. The other hand should follow.
- As your first hand comes down, the foot opposite to it should be coming up. Both of your hands must be in the same line where your feet started, pointing perpendicularly to it.
- Give a powerful kick, so your legs will leave the ground. Your weight is now balanced on your hands, like in a handstand. Your legs must be straight in the air, in a split or straddle position. Keep your back straight.
- Keep your hands firm, balanced and straight, to keep your body in control, and give you agility. Keep your trunk, the shoulder to hips, in a straight line.
- Land on your opposite foot, facing the direction where you came. As you land, your front leg must be slightly bent, but both feet flat on the ground. It’s the same position you started out in, but with the other foot as the lead foot.
- Straighten out and give a little bow. You’ve just done your first cartwheel!
A Few Tips:
- Ask a friend to be a spotter, to assist you with this move.
- Do a few stretches so you won’t pull a muscle.
- Practice will make you better so your cartwheel will be perfect.
- Keep your toe pointed during the whole move, so you’ll look graceful.
- To give you more momentum, hop or do a little run.
- After perfecting this, try doing a one-handed cartwheel.
A cartwheel is impressive if done properly and gracefully. After this, maybe you can try other more advanced gymnastics moves.
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