How To Master The Art Of The Cartwheel
A cartwheel is often the first of the acrobatic tricks learned. With this being said, having a cartwheel is a good base for all the other flips and tricks you might later want to learn how to do. Learning how to do a cartwheel can be both an exciting and scary experience. Whether you’re a beginner or want to improve your technique, it’s never a bad idea to perfect your cartwheel. It can take time, but once you perfect it it will be so rewarding.
1. Warm-Up:
-It’s important to start by stretching your arms, your shoulders, your back, and your legs to improve flexibility and prevent injuries.
-Failure to stretch properly can result in injuries that we definitely want to prevent.
2. Stance:
-After warming up, prepare for the cartwheel and start by getting in a standing position with your feet about shoulder-width apart.
-Then, choose the direction in which you would like to perform your cartwheel, and point your toes in that direction.
3. Preparation:
-Prepare to do the cartwheel by raising your arms above your head, keeping them straight and parallel to each other.
-Engage your core muscles to maintain stability throughout the cartwheel.
4. Hand Placement:
-Practice by lowering your hands to the ground in front of you, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
-Spread your fingers for better grip and support.
-Use this as an idea for what it will feel like to hold yourself up in the cartwheel.
5. Kick and Turn:
-Kick your dominant leg (the one you’re most comfortable using) up toward the sky as you simultaneously lift off your non-dominant leg.
-Place your hands on the ground as practiced in the previous step, placing all of your body weight on your arms and hands.
6. Rotation:
-Keep your body tight and straight as you rotate over your hands.
-Focus on maintaining a smooth, continuous motion without pausing in the inverted position.
7. Land Gracefully:
-As your dominant leg comes back down towards the ground, spot your landing by looking at the floor between your hands.
- Place your non-dominant leg down to meet your dominant leg, landing softly on the balls of your feet.
8. Practice:
- Repeat the steps above to improve your cartwheel technique.
-Start slowly and gradually increase your speed and confidence as you become more comfortable with the movement.
-practice is key to improving your cartwheel
Don’t forget it is crucial to continue practicing your cartwheel. Without continued practice, you will not get very far at all. Although it may take some time to get your cartwheel, with continued practice you will get it eventually. It is also important to note that it takes some people more time than others; so don’t get frustrated if it takes you a little bit longer. The good news is, after you get your cartwheel you can look forward to performing other acrobatic tricks such as aerials (a cartwheel without the use of your hands), flips, handsprings, and more. But for now, repeat these steps over and over until your cartwheel is performed to your liking, good luck!
