How to Teach a Child a Round Off

A standing round off is very similar to a cartwheel and you can teach it using some of the same techniques. Less frightening than a cartwheel for beginners to master; the standing round off is a great place to start when a novice is ready for more complicated tumbling and gymnastic moves.

Instructions

1. Practice standing round offs yourself. If you don't know how to do one, learn. Offering the best instruction sheets, coupled with excellent photos, is not enough to get through to your student. Provide round off help by showing a good example in motion.

2. Have your student practice handstands. If the child is unfamiliar with handstands, have her start with adult supported headstands to get accustomed to the feeling of inversion. When she's comfortable, advance to adult supported handstands until she's able to perform them without help. Upper body strength is key in performing many tumbling and gymnastic moves.

3. Ask your student to perform a cartwheel if he is able. If he produces a well formed cartwheel, simply request he bring his feet together at the high point of inversion and land as if he fused his legs together. If he is unable to perform a cartwheel, proceed to Step 4.

4. Help your student find her dominant side. Practice moving into a handstand one hand at a time, rather than simultaneously. If your pupil prefers to place the left hand on the mat first, she is left sided. Conversely, if the right hand is preferred, you must use right sided technique.

5. Instruct the student to go into a handstand, one hand at a time, using the preferred order. Spotting his legs, bring them together. Twist his torso slightly and bring both legs to the floor at the same time. He should now be facing his starting position. Ask him to repeat the standing round off using a small amount of momentum. Practice together until he can perform the move unaided.

6. Offer suggestions to improve flow of movement. When she can perform a standing round off smoothly, graduate the speed. Have her take two running steps before the move. As her confidence and abilities grow, her speed can increase. Soon she'll take long running round offs and land them like a champion.

Tips & Warnings

• Always provide an adult spotter who is familiar with the move to protect the child from injury in a fall. The spotter must stay close, but take precautions so that the student does not kick the spotter.

• Tumbling moves must be learned on a protective gymnastic mat. Serious injuries can result from a novice practicing new moves on a trampoline or hard surface.