Cartwheel from the Bench: Bunny Hop to a Straight Line

A four-step cartwheel progression: sideways bunny hop over the bench, hands-down leg swing, cartwheel along a line and cartwheel with high legs. Each student moves up once they meet the step's criterion.

How to play

1. Walk through the four steps and the pass criterion for each, with a demo from a student who can already do it (4 min).
2. Step 1 on the bench: hands on the bench, hop both legs together from side to side, tucked at first and then higher (6 min).
3. Step 2 on the mat: lunge entry, hand-hand-foot-foot along a tape line, even with low legs (7 min).
4. Step 3 without the bench: cartwheel on the tape line with hands on the line and feet landing on it (7 min).
5. Step 4 and challenges: legs straight above hip height and finish facing the start (4 min).
6. Self-check: everyone writes down the step they reached and what's missing for the next one (2 min).

Rules

• Pick your step and move up only after three clean reps in a row.
• One student on a mat at a time; others wait off it.
• On the bench, grip the edge and keep feet away from the ends.
• Say which direction you're going before you go.

Variations

Adaptations

• Hesitant students: do step 1 with feet landing on a mat next to the bench.
• Wrist injury: practice the entry and foot placement without hand support, and serve as an observer.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: post the progression on the wall with a drawing of each step.

Learning goals

• Build the cartwheel through a safe progression.
• Identify your current level and next step.
• Keep hands and feet aligned on a line.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym benches: 4
• mats: 8
• masking tape: 1

Teacher tip

Four benches give you four step-1 stations; afterward they mark the edge of the mat area. The classic mistake is placing both hands at once: ask for two separate claps as the hands land.

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