Balance beam 12 – Roll forward

The gymnast initiates a roll forward in a squat position with her tips just behind. She places her hands in front of her feet, fingers outside the balance beam. At the same time she raises her hips, bends her neck and then puts her head on the balance beam. She stretches her lower limbs, which then leave the surface. Immediately afterwards she regrasps, her fingers holding the beam from underneath, her elbows by her ears. Immediately afterwards she regrasps, her fingers holding the beam from underneath, her elbows by her ears. In this hold, the body rolls onto the back, legs up. After a brief stop, the gymnast continues the rotational movement, placing one foot on the balance beam and rising to a standing position through a single-leg squat.

Roll forward
Roll forward faster version
View of the practitioner

The basis of the element is the rotational movement around the transversal axis of the body, which moves in space. At the beginning, the gymnast obtains the kinetic energy of the rotational movement by extending the lower limbs. In the supine position, this movement is stopped mainly by the activity of the abdominal muscles. For the second part of the roll, the gymnast gains energy by moving the lower limbs from the forward position downwards. The condition for the transfer of energy from the legs to the trunk is a solid body, especially active abdominal muscles. The kinetic energy of the rotational movement with the contribution of the work of the standing lower limb is expressed in the form of potential energy in the standing position.

Roll forward: Biomechanics
  • Unstrengthened body.
  • Insufficient height of the hips at the moment of the regrasp.
  • Elbows not near the head after the regrasp.
  • Drill 1

    Start by practicing the roll on the line on the ground.

    Roll forward: Drill 1
  • Drill 2

    Then we move to the low balance beam - the "trainer".

    Roll forward: Drill 2
  • Drill 3

    On the balance beam, we first practice moving independently from pike lying position to lying position. Gradually add a standing up over one leg and only then perform a full roll with a regrasp.

    Roll forward: Drill 3

We provide assistance by holding the gymnast by the hips during the regrasp and the transition to lying on her back.

Roll forward: Spotting