A sideways cartwheel, commonly referred to simply as a cartwheel, is a fundamental tumbling skill where your body rotates sideways over your hands, moving in a straight line. It's called "sideways" because your side is facing the direction you are moving across the floor. Mastering this move requires coordination, balance, and practice.
Understanding the Cartwheel Motion
Think of a cartwheel as a controlled fall and recovery. You'll place your hands down one after the other, kick your legs up and over, and land one foot at a time, ending up facing the opposite direction you started relative to your path of movement.
Step-by-Step Guide to Performing a Cartwheel
Here's a breakdown of the process, integrating the mechanics of the entry:
- Starting Stance: Begin standing with your dominant foot forward, facing the direction you intend to travel across the floor. Your arms should be up beside your ears.
- The Lunge and Entry: Step forward into a lunge with your dominant leg. As you lunge, bring your hands down towards the floor. According to tumbling tutorials, as your hips transition over your front foot, reach out with your leading arm. Your back leg is going to kick up as your arms throw down over the top, leading you into your cartwheel normally. Your non-dominant hand follows shortly after.
- Hand Placement: Place your hands on the floor shoulder-width apart, one after the other (dominant hand first for a right-handed cartwheel), with your fingers pointing sideways, generally towards the direction you are moving.
- Leg Drive and Rotation: As your hands touch the floor, use the momentum from your kicking back leg to drive your hips and legs up and over your hands. Your legs should go over your body one at a time, splitting in a controlled manner. Maintain a tight core.
- Mid-Air Position: For a brief moment, you will be inverted with your legs separated above your hands. Your body forms a straight line from hands to feet (ideally).
- Landing: Land on your feet one at a time, the opposite leg of your leading hand usually landing first, followed by the leading leg. Aim to land softly and regain your balance. You should finish facing the opposite direction from where you started on your travel path.
Key Points for Success
- Hand-Hand-Foot-Foot: Remember the rhythm of the cartwheel.
- Straight Arms and Legs: Keep limbs extended for better control and power.
- Look Through: Spot the ground where your hands will go.
- Commitment: Be confident in the movement.
Step Breakdown Table
| Step | Action | Focus Point |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Starting Stance | Stand facing direction of travel, dominant foot forward, arms up. | Alignment and readiness. |
| 2. Lunge & Entry | Lunge, bring hands down, kick back leg up as arms throw down. | Momentum generation and hand/leg initiation. |
| 3. Hand Placement | Place hands on floor, one after other, fingers pointing sideways. | Stability and direction. |
| 4. Leg Drive & Rotate | Kick legs up and over, separate them in the air. | Power and rotation. |
| 5. Landing | Land feet one after other, regain balance, facing opposite direction. | Control and finish. |
Practice these steps slowly at first, perhaps with a spotter, to build confidence and control before attempting full speed. Consistency and proper form are key to performing a safe and effective cartwheel.
