The cartwheel, also known as the Arabic wheel or the circus wheel, is a fundamental gymnastic skill that involves rotating the body sideways while supporting oneself on the hands and placing the feet momentarily on the ground.
Whether witnessed in the realm of gymnastics, on the playground, or simply as a form of self-expression, cartwheels embody a sense of agility, balance, and coordination that has the power to inspire and impress.
If you wish to learn how to do a cartwheel, this article compiles a step-by-step guide that gets you started.
Table of contents
How to Do a Cartwheel
To do a cartwheel, warm up your body with light cardio and dynamic stretches. This will help prevent injuries and enhance your range of motion. Also, make sure the area around you is free and clear of obstacles. Avoid practicing near walls or furniture that you might run into.
Step 1: Lunge and Raise Your Arms
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms overhead.
- Step forward with your dominant leg and slightly bend your front knee. Keep your back leg straight.
- Raise your arms straight up over your head, palms facing each other.
Step 2: Lower Arms and Raise Back Leg
- Keeping your arms straight, lower them towards the ground.
- As you lower your arms, simultaneously kick your back leg up and over your head. Keep your back leg straight.
- Your body should now form a “T” shape.
Step 3: Place Hands and Turn Sideways
- Place your hands on the mat, shoulder-width apart, in line with your imaginary line.
- As you place your hands, turn your body sideways so that your shoulders are parallel to the imaginary line.
Step 4: Push Off and Kick Legs Up
- Push off with your front leg, straightening your leg as you do so.
- As you push off, kick your other leg up and over your head, keeping your legs straight.
- Your body should now be in an upside-down “V” shape.
Step 5: Lower Lead Leg and Lift Hand
- Lower your lead leg towards the ground, placing it along the imaginary line.
- As your lead leg comes down, lift your hand that was originally placed on the mat.
- Bring your arm up by your ear in line with your body.
Step 6: Lower Other Leg and Lift Other Hand
- Lower your other leg towards the ground, placing it behind your lead leg along the imaginary line.
- As your other leg comes down, lift your other hand that was originally placed on the mat.
- Bring your arm up by your ear in line with your body.
Step 7: Land in Lunge
- Position yourself so that your original back leg is now in front and slightly bent, while your original leading leg is behind you and straight.
- Keep both feet pointing in the direction you came from.
- Make sure your arms are straight and pointing upwards, next to your ears.
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Step by step on how to do a cartwheel in Gymnastics:
To do a cartwheel in Gymnastics
- Start in a lunge position. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms raised overhead. Step forward with your dominant leg and bend your front knee slightly. Keep your back leg straight.
- Lower your arms towards the ground and kick your back leg up. As you lower your arms, kick your back leg up and over your head. Keep your legs straight and your toes pointed.
- Place your hands on the ground shoulder-width apart. Your hands should be shoulder-width apart and your fingers should be pointing away from your body
- Push off with your front leg and snap your legs over your head. Push off with your front leg and quickly snap your legs over your head. Your legs should be straight and your toes should be pointed.
- Land in a lunge position on the other side. As your legs come down, land in a lunge position on the other side. Your back leg should be in front and your front leg should be behind you.
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How to do a cartwheel for kids | Safety Tips
Cartwheeling can be a fun and rewarding physical activity for kids, promoting fitness, coordination, and self-esteem. With proper guidance, practice, and encouragement, your child can master this gymnastic maneuver and experience the joy of movement.
Below are some safety tips on how to do a cartwheel for kids:
- Visualize the Movement: Encourage your child to visualize the cartwheel motion before attempting it.
- Focus on Form: Emphasize proper form over speed, ensuring legs are straight, body is aligned, and arms are actively involved.
- Encourage Practice: Regular practice is crucial for improvement. Start with a few repetitions and gradually increase as your child gains confidence.
- Celebrate Success: Recognize and applaud your child’s progress, no matter how small.
- Practice against a wall: if it’s your child is a beginner, it’s helpful to practice against a wall for support.
- Use a visual aid: Draw a line on the floor or use painter’s tape to create a visual guide for your child to follow.
- Break it down into steps: Practice each step individually before attempting the entire cartwheel. This allows your child to master each component and build confidence.
- Make it fun: Keep the learning process enjoyable by incorporating games and playful activities. This will motivate your child and make practice more engaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Warm-up (1 minute)
Step 2: Practice the Kick (1 minute)
Step 3: Hand Placement Drill (1 minute)
Step 4: Combine the Kick and Hand Placement (2 minutes)
Step 5: Attempt the Cartwheel (optional)
Lack of flexibility
Weak core muscles
Poor coordination
Fear of falling
Improper technique
Start by practicing against a wall for support. Focus on maintaining proper form and alignment throughout the movement. Practice regularly to improve your technique and build muscle memory.
Rushing the movement, not keeping the body straight, and not kicking the leg high enough are common mistakes. Focus on proper form and technique to avoid these errors.
Cartwheels require practice and dedication, but they are achievable with proper instruction and technique.
Conclusion
Mastering the cartwheel, a fundamental gymnastic maneuver is a journey of physical prowess, mental focus, and unwavering determination.
While the initial attempts may seem daunting, with proper instruction, consistent practice, and unwavering self-belief, you can transform cartwheels into graceful expressions of athleticism.
This guide on how to do a cartwheel will get you started.
References
- Wikihow.com – How to Do a Cartwheel
- gymnasticshq.com – HOW TO DO A CARTWHEEL
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