How to Do Power Tumbling

Power tumbling is becoming a popular form of gymnastics. Power tumbling differs from basic gymnastics in that it includes doing flips and twists in the air. It incorporates some traditional gymnastic moves and elevates them into a series of jumping, spinning movements in the air that takes plenty of skill and practice to complete. If you want to go several steps beyond somersaults and cartwheels, learn power tumbling.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Learn basic gymnastic movements. Enroll in a gymnastics class at a local gym or YMCA and become proficient in doing somersaults, handstands and cartwheels. Practice doing flips on a trampoline.

2. Set up a small trampoline at one end of an 80-foot long stretch of springy mats. At the other end, place a thicker mat for the finish.

3. Propel yourself off the trampoline, flip in the air and land on your feet. Perform a series of flip-flops along the mats. You can do forward or backward flip-flops, depending on the level of your skill.

4. Incorporate half-twists and full twists while in the air. Add the twists after you have done a few regular flip-flops. Some power tumbling competitions allow only half-twists in the first eight-skill routine and more twists in the second routine.

5. Finish with a series of several twists and flips. Land smoothly on your feet on the mats at the end of the line.

6. Use quick, smooth movements throughout the power tumbling routine. Run through a smooth succession of flip-flops, twists and flips and continue from one movement to the next cleanly and with no hesitation.

Tips & Warnings

• Check local gyms or the YMCA for classes in power tumbling. If you have such a facility near you, enroll in its program.
• Don't attempt to do power tumbling without proper training. Serious injury can result from attempting twists and flips without having developed the skills to perform these movements.

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