How to teach the round-off: 18 drills, step by step

Name: Round Off - Drill 1
Uploaded: 2026-02-06
Description: Teach the round-off by perfecting the cartwheel first, then adding the hurdle, the turn on the hands and a fast snap-down of both legs together. These 18 drills build a round-off that rebounds into the next element. They suit club coaches on women's and men's floor, from first round-offs to round-off back handspring.

Teach the round-off by perfecting the cartwheel first, then adding the hurdle, the turn on the hands and a fast snap-down of both legs together. These 18 drills build a round-off that rebounds into the next element. They suit club coaches on women's and men's floor, from first round-offs to round-off back handspring.

18 video steps · floor, floor-men

Step 1 of 18, free: Round Off - Drill 1

The phases

Hurdle and lunge: step into a long, controlled lunge with the arms by the ears.
Hand placement: place the hands in line, the second hand turned, with straight arms.
Turn and leg joining: bring the legs together over the top while turning to face back.
Block and snap-down: push through the shoulders and snap the feet down under the body.
Rebound: land on the balls of the feet in a hollow shape, ready for the next skill.

Before you start

The gymnast should do a straight cartwheel in a line and hold a handstand with open shoulders.

Common mistakes

Hands too close to the feet: the round-off stays low and the snap-down has no power.
Legs joining too late: the gymnast lands sideways or with the feet apart.
Bent arms: no block, so the rebound is weak.
Landing with the chest down and arms forward: the next element starts behind.

Coaching cues

Long lunge, reach far
Feet together over the top
Snap and pop
Arms by your ears

All 18 steps

Frequently asked questions

What should a gymnast learn before a round-off?

A good cartwheel in a straight line and a solid handstand. The round-off adds a turn and a snap-down to those basics, so weak spots there show up quickly.

Why does my gymnast's round-off travel sideways?

Often the hands are not in line, the turn happens too late, or the legs join late. Check hand placement first, then whether the legs meet over the top.

What is a Round-Off? Read the glossary entry