Round-Off Progression from the Cartwheel

A progression that turns a solid cartwheel into a round-off: a hurdle entry, a quarter turn in the air, and a two-foot landing facing the starting point. Students work on coordination, leg power, and controlling the rotation.

How to play

1. Make 5 groups of 5 students, each with a lane of 2 mats end to end and a cone about 10 feet from the start to mark the takeoff (2 min).
2. Review: each student does 2 solid cartwheels down the lane; anyone who has not mastered it stays with cartwheels in the easier variant (3 min).
3. Cartwheel with a quarter turn: at the top of the cartwheel, bring the legs together and land on both feet at once, facing back toward the starting cone (5 min).
4. Hurdle entry: from the cone, take one step, a small hop on the front leg, and go into the quarter-turn cartwheel (5 min).
5. Full round-off: repeat the entry, pushing hard with the hands to land feet together, and finish with a rebound jump backward, arms up; the group rates landing, legs together, and direction (5 min).

Rules

• Only students with a safe cartwheel practice the round-off.
• Go one at a time; the next student waits by the cone until the lane is clear.
• Always land with bent knees and never jump backward onto another mat.
• Never practice round-offs off the mats.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student works on alternating hand support in a chair or on the floor, or helps as an observer with a checklist.
• Hearing impairment: use visual demonstrations and a raised hand to show who goes next.
• Fitness level: group students by cartwheel level so each lane works on the right phase.

Learning goals

• Turn a cartwheel into a round-off with a two-foot landing.
• Coordinate the short run and hurdle with the rotation.
• Observe and evaluate classmates' performance.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 10
• cones: 5

Teacher tip

The key is bringing the legs together at vertical, not on the landing; show it in slow motion. Stand at the end of the lane of the group starting the hurdle entry to give feedback and prevent collisions.

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