To do a roundoff, you combine a sequence of steps that resemble a cartwheel entry followed by a quick handstand with a powerful push-off from your hands and a snap of your legs together to land facing the direction you started.
A roundoff is a fundamental gymnastics skill that serves as an entry into many tumbling passes. It requires coordination, speed, and power, transitioning your horizontal momentum into vertical power for subsequent skills like back handsprings or back tucks. Learning a roundoff involves breaking it down into smaller components and practicing each part.
Steps to Performing a Roundoff
Performing a roundoff involves several distinct phases, building upon foundational movements:
- Approach: Begin with a few steps or a short run to build momentum. This helps generate the speed needed for the skill.
- Entry: This is often similar to a cartwheel entry. Lunge forward, reaching towards the ground with your hands.
- Hand Placement: Place your hands on the ground close together, fingers typically pointing towards your side. This is different from a cartwheel where hands face forward or slightly angled.
- Leg Drive and Snap: As your body passes over your hands, bring your legs together forcefully overhead. This "snap" is crucial for power.
- The Push-Off (Block): Use your hands to push off the ground powerfully. As referenced, practicing exercises like handstand hops can help you build the strength and control needed for this strong push-off or "big block" from your hands. This block is what helps transition your rotation into upward momentum for the landing.
- Landing: Land on your feet, together, facing the direction you began the skill from. Your landing should be controlled and balanced, ready for the next skill in a tumbling pass.
As mentioned in the reference, to master the roundoff, you need to put all the steps together smoothly. This transition from one phase to the next is key to a successful and powerful roundoff.
Practice Drills
Developing the strength and coordination for a roundoff often involves practicing specific drills:
- Handstand Hops: As highlighted, these help strengthen the shoulders and wrists and teach the quick, powerful push-off from the hands ("block").
- Cartwheel Variations: Practice cartwheels with a focus on bringing legs together and pushing off the hands quickly.
- Snap Downs: Practice snapping your legs together forcefully from a handstand or near-vertical position.
- Lunge and Reach: Practice the entry position, focusing on a strong lunge and reaching towards the ground.
Key Elements for a Strong Roundoff
| Element | Importance | Practice Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Builds momentum for entry. | Consistent run-in and lunge. |
| Hand Placement | Correct orientation is crucial (side-by-side). | Precision in placing hands correctly. |
| Leg Snap | Generates power and rotation. | Practicing snapping legs together overhead. |
| The Block | Transfers horizontal speed to vertical height. | Strengthening push-off (e.g., handstand hops). |
| Landing | Controlled finish, readiness for next skill. | Practicing landing feet together and balanced. |
Mastering the roundoff requires consistent practice, focusing on speed, technique, and power, particularly the quick push-off or "block" from the hands after the leg snap.
