Turns are a key element in gymnastics routines, showcasing balance, control, and precision. Whether you’re working on full turns on the floor or half turns on the beam, improving your turning skills can make a big impact on your overall performance. To help you perfect your turns, we’ve put together three essential drills that focus on balance and body position. Incorporating these drills into your practice routine will help you gain confidence and achieve cleaner, more controlled turns.

Here’s a video with 3 drills to improve your form with your gymnastics turns – this applies to both 1/2 and full turns. Also check out deductions that judges can take in gymnastics turns.

3 Drills to Improve your Gymnastics Turns

Gymnastics Turn Drill #3: Stretch Tall T-Shirt Shaping Drill

In this drill you want to stand on flat feet while holding a t-shirt or towel taut in your hands, with your hands straight up by your ears. The focus with this drill is staying really tight and stretch straight up tall with your arms behind your ears and your chin up off of your chest.

Try this drill working up to 60 seconds x 3 sets with good positioning

Gymnastics Turn Drill #2: Shaping – Ribs In & Out

For this drill, you want to stand tall and push your ribs out and back in again. Think about pulling your ribs in while rounding your shoulders slightly and then pushing your ribs back  out while opening your shoulders. The focus fore this drill is to really focus on feeling the difference of pulling your ribs in and then pushing them back out and having a really tight stomach. The correct shape for your full turn (and handstand) is to have your ribs pulled in and shoulders slightly rounded, arms tight and slightly behind your ears, with your chin up off of your chest.

See if you can do 15 reps each x 5 sets

Gymnastics Turn Drill #3: Relevé Hold Lock Position

You’ll stand in high relevé for this drill, with your good leg in front and your other leg slightly behind. You want to make sure that you are also pushing tall through your toes and the ball of your feet, pinching your thighs and bottom together, pulling in your ribs/abs, and pushing your shoulders down with your arms tight, slightly behind your ears with your chin up. The focus for this drill is to stretch really tall with correct body positioning, staying really tight while maintaining your high relevé.

Try this drill working up to 60 seconds x 3 sets with good form

Improving your gymnastics turns takes practice and attention to detail. By working on balance, spotting, and body control with these three drills, you’ll see noticeable improvement in the quality and precision of your turns. Make sure to incorporate these drills into your regular gymnastics training routine, and you’ll be nailing your turns with ease. For more guidance and personalized feedback, consider joining SkillTrakker. With daily challenges focused on perfecting your gymnastics skills, including turns, SkillTrakker provides the structure and support you need to reach your gymnastics goals!

Related Posts:

• No Related Posts Found