How to Do a Cartwheel

A cartwheel is a fundamental tumbling skill. When done properly, your arms and legs resemble the spokes of a wagon wheel turning. Follow five simple steps to execute a cartwheel.

Instructions

1. Find your lead foot. This is usually the foot you would start with naturally in other tumbling activities or a race. Your lead foot is often, but not always, opposite to your dominant hand.

2. Stride forward placing your lead foot in front of you with the knee slightly bent. Hold your back leg erect. Put both arms straight up in the air with palms facing upward.

3. Extend your arms downward toward the ground. Begin to lift your back foot during the descent. Using your lead hand, the one closest to your lead foot, make contact with the ground. Plant all five fingers and your palm firmly on the ground.

4. Raise your lead leg in the air, and place your other hand securely on the ground. Your legs should together form the shape of the letter V while both palms are flat on the ground.

5. Descend back to the ground. As you are tumbling downward, the lead foot should land last. The lead hand should break contact with the ground last. End in a standing position.

Tips & Warnings

• The placement of your hands and feet should form a straight line.

• Your body naturally rotates during a cartwheel so that by the time you reach step five your gaze is in the opposite direction.