How to Perform a Somersault

Somersaults are a fun maneuver that people of all ages can perform. Once you learn how to do a basic somersault correctly, you can then do side rolls, back rolls and rolls underwater. Somersaults are a lot of fun to learn and even more fun to do with friends and family.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Stand with your feet together and your arms stretched up. Squeeze your elbows to your ears to make sure they stay there. Stretch up to straighten your arms even more. Keep your body strong and tight. Allowing your body to become loose and lazy can cause you to do the somersault incorrectly and potentially hurt yourself.
2. Bend your knees slightly and reach for the floor, with your arms still up and squeezed toward your ears. Tuck your head in and look at your belly button. It is very important your head stays in this position throughout the rotation. If you look back up, you risk the possibility of actually breaking your neck.
3. Transfer your body weight to your hands and allow your body to slowly rotate over, feet over head. Roll on the back of your neck, never on your head. In fact, your head should never even touch the floor. Keep your knees together during the rotation.
4. Bring your arms over your head and in front of you, still straight, as you complete the roll. Keeping your knees together, use the momentum of your roll and body weight to bring you right up to your feet. Do not touch the floor with your hands to stand up.
5. Finish standing with your feet together, arms back up by your ears, elbows squeezed tight and legs straight. That's it! You just did a somersault. Now try it again, or try to do several in a row. Have fun!

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your arms squeezed by your ears as you roll.
• Don't allow your legs to come apart.