Who Said a Cartwheel Was Easy

It seems that a Cartwheel is such an easy skill because it looks so simple. You know, just do a Cartwheel! But let’s do a quick inventory of the individual skills that a Cartwheel requires.

1.      Strong and opposite side Lunge

2.      All 3 Splits

3.      Two different 1 arm Handstands

4.      Side Handstand

5.      One Flip

6.      Half Twist

Now count the movements and/or different actions that a gymnast must coordinate to get a Cartwheel to look so simple. It goes like this:

1.      Strong side Lunge

2.      Balance on strong leg

3.      Balance on strong leg and lead hand in strong side split

4.      One arm Handstand on lead hand and ¼ twist

5.      Side Handstand in middle split

6.      One hand Handstand on second hand and ¼ twist

7.      Balance on second hand and opposite foot in opposite side split

8.      Balance on opposite foot

9.      Opposite side lunge

I think you would agree that this is not so simple but instead a very challenging skill. As gymnastics coaches we know that it will take some time to teach the strengths, flexibility and movements of a cartwheel. We also realize that many times children have attempted this skill on their own and have, in most cases, developed some bad habits that will take more time to correct. The reality is this is not a skill that comes easy to most children.

After many years of teaching children, my opinion is that a Cartwheel is an advanced skill hiding in a beginner class!