How to teach the Russian wendeswing: 12 drills on pommel horse

Name: Russian Wendeswing 1
Uploaded: 2026-02-06
Description: You teach the Russian wendeswing by building clean, round circles first, then adding the turn in small steps on a mushroom or floor tool before moving to the pommel horse. This series covers those steps. It is for coaches of men's artistic gymnasts working on circle skills with rotation.

You teach the Russian wendeswing by building clean, round circles first, then adding the turn in small steps on a mushroom or floor tool before moving to the pommel horse. This series covers those steps. It is for coaches of men's artistic gymnasts working on circle skills with rotation.

12 video steps · pommel-horse

Step 1 of 12, free: Russian Wendeswing 1

The phases

Circles base: maintain round circles with an open hip and shoulders over the hands.
Hand placement and rhythm: place hands close for turning and keep a steady circle tempo.
Turning in circles: turn the body around its long axis in steps while circling.
On the horse: transfer the skill from a mushroom or floor aid to the pommel horse with control.

Before you start

The gymnast should have consistent circles on a mushroom or pommel horse and comfortable weight shifts between the hands.

Common mistakes

Piked hips: the circle flattens and the turn slows down.
Shoulders behind the hands: the gymnast cannot shift weight in time.
Rushing the turn: rhythm breaks and the circle stops.
Hands too far apart: the turn becomes hard to complete.

Coaching cues

Round circles first
Shoulders over the hands
Stay open, keep the rhythm

All 12 steps

Frequently asked questions

What is a Russian wendeswing?

It is a pommel horse skill where the gymnast performs circles while turning the body around the hands, often on one pommel or on the end of the horse. The amount of turn varies; check the Code of Points for values.

Should Russians be learned on a mushroom first?

Many coaches start on a mushroom or floor tool because it is easier to keep circles going while learning the turn. Move to the pommel horse once the circles and turn are consistent.

What is a Russian Wendeswing? Read the glossary entry