roun*doff
What Is The Definition Of Roundoff In Gymnastics?
1. A roundoff is a tumbling move in gymnastics. It is often used as an initiator to more difficult backward tumbling skills. It is a way for a gymnast to take generated forward momentum and turn it into backward momentum.
On What Events Can A Roundoff Be Performed?
A roundoff can be performed on vault, floor or beam. On floor, it is most commonly seen at the beginning of a tumbling pass. On vault, it is most commonly used as an entry onto the springboard. On beam, it is most commonly featured as the beginning of a dismount.
How Do You Do A Roundoff?
It is important to maintain a tight core throughout the entire movement of a roundoff. A roundoff is performed using the following steps:
- Step forward into a lunge with your arms extended up next to your ears.
- Start to kick your back leg up straight behind you as your arms reach for the floor.
- As you approach the ground, place your first hand on the ground, turned 90 degrees to the side (toward your front leg). When that first hand touches the ground, your front lunge leg should start to leave the ground as the back leg continues to drive overhead.
- Rotate your hips and torso open 90 degrees so that your back faces the same direction as your first hand’s fingers are pointing.
- Place your second hand in line with the other hand on the ground, but rotated so that that hand’s fingers are pointed towards the other hand already on the ground.
- Continue to drive both legs overhead. As your back leg reaches its peak point above your head, drive the front leg to meet it in a handstand position and snap them down together.
- As you start to snap your legs down, pop your hands off the ground, initiating the movement with your shoulders and not an arm bend.
- While this snapdown and pop off is happening, rotate your hips and torso another 90 degrees so you are now facing the opposite direction you started in.
- When your feet start to touch the ground, drive your shoulder ups so that your body lands in an upright position with the arms overhead.
What Is The Difference Between A Roundoff And A Cartwheel?
In a roundoff, both feet finish the movement and hit the ground at the exact same time.
A cartwheel, on the other hand, has the back leg foot land before the front leg front. In a cartwheel, the legs remain outstretched from each other, while in a roundoff, the legs are brought together.
What Are Some Drills To Improve A Roundoff?
The following drills can be used to help a gymnast improve their roundoff:
- Handstand holds
- Lunges
- Mountain climber needle kicks
- Handstand snap-downs
Example Of How Roundoff Is Used In Commentary
1. Both of the vaults competed by MyKayla Skinner in Tokyo included a roundoff entry.
Sport The Term Is Used
1. Gymnastics
