Round-Off in Phases: Quarter Turn, Snap Down, Two-Foot Landing

A round-off progression for students who already have a solid cartwheel: work the quarter turn, the legs snapping together at the top and the two-foot landing facing back. It's the step from a sideways skill to one you can link backward.

How to play

1. Review: three cartwheels on the line; anyone who can't control it keeps working the cartwheel progression on a separate mat (4 min).
2. Phase 1, quarter turn: from the cartwheel, the second hand turns in and the feet land one after the other facing the start (6 min).
3. Phase 2, snap at the top: in a wall handstand, bring the legs together and bring both down at once (6 min).
4. Phase 3, full round-off on the mat landing on the crash mat with a small rebound (10 min).
5. Video in threes: one performs, one films from the side, one checks the three-cue list (6 min).
6. Share-out: the most common errors on video and how to fix them (3 min).

Rules

• Only students with a steady cartwheel on the line attempt the round-off.
• Three-step run-up max: speed doesn't replace technique.
• Clear landing zone, crash mat against the wall or held by two classmates.
• Film on the school tablet and delete the clips at the end.

Variations

Adaptations

• Nervous students: start from a slight raise (plinth top) for extra time in the air.
• Wrist or elbow injury: serve as the video analyst with the cue list.
• Blind or low-vision students: mark the line with a raised taped rope and the spotter claps the start.

Learning goals

• Tell the cartwheel and the round-off apart.
• Perform the quarter turn and the leg snap at the top.
• Analyze your own technique on video with clear criteria.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 10
• crash mats: 2
• masking tape: 1
• tablet: 1

Teacher tip

No crash mat? Stack two thin mats and tape them together. The usual mistake is turning late and landing sideways: cue the second hand to point back.

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