The cartwheel is a rotational element around sagittal axis, beginning with the step sideward. From the arms sideward position, place one and the other hand on the ground successively, followed by a step of one and then the other leg. It is important that these points of contact with the ground are in line and enough far apart.

View of the practitioner

The body gains initial velocity by stepping sideward, the rotation of the body about the sagittal axis is initiated by the force of both the swing and the take-off leg. Furthermore, it is the force generated as a reaction to the pressure of the hands into the mat. Thus, the arms actively provide the mechanical energy required to rotate the body without bending the trunk.

• Insufficiently split legs.
• Putting the hands on the floor at the same time.
• Wrong hand position – the fingers of the second hand are pointing in the direction of movement.
• Hip flexion during the cartwheel.

• Physical preparation 1

  Flexibility of the hip joints is essential. We stretch the adductors of the lower limbs.

• Drill 1

  The training can be started by jumping over obstacles with subsequent movement rhythmization and increasing its range.

• Drill 2

  We rhythmise the movement using markers placed on the mat in semicircle, then we gradually replace them into a straight line.

• Drill 3

  To learn the dynamic execution of the initial phase, we can include a cartwheel from the kneeling position.

When spotting, we stand behind the athlete's back and hold him at the waist. We help to speed up the rotation and stabilize the athlete.

In younger athletes, we can use dynamic assistance by initiating the movement by the arm with subsequent movement control by the hips of the athlete.