Skill How-Tos

The wolf turn is a popular skill among high level gymnasts. While some people say that Lauren Mitchell invented the wolf turn she originally did in her 2008 Olympic beam routine, the wolf turn has been around for much longer than that. In 1966, Natalia Kuchinskaya competed a single wolf turn in the World Championships… Read More →

A handstand is one of the most important skills in gymnastics. Not only is it one of the basics on floor, the straight-body handstand position is everywhere in other skills. The handstand position is in a giant on bars, in a front handspring on vault and in handsprings (back and front) on both beam and floor… Read More →

  An easy way to describe an aerial cartwheel would be a cartwheel with no hands. However, when you go to learn how to do an aerial cartwheel, you quickly realize that doing an aerial cartwheel is much different than doing a cartwheel. The first reason is that an aerial cartwheel gets its power from the… Read More →

  A back handspring is a gymnastics skill that is a big milestone in a gymnast's progression. And when a gymnast is trying to learn how to do a back handspring, she really wants to get it so bad. It can be a hard skill to learn because it is unlike any skill a gymnast has learned… Read More →

One of the most popular questions I get asked is "What can I do to improve my gymnastics at home?". I've answered that question in several different ways with home workout plans, skills you can practice at home with your home gymnastics equipment, 17 videos for practicing gymnastics at home and 10 exercises you can… Read More →

A back extension roll is not only a must-learn skill because it's in the Level 4 compulsory routine, but because it is an important skill progression. You will use a similar motion of lifting your body with your shoulders extended when you learn a back giant on bars. So do you want to learn how to do a back extension… Read More →

A front tuck is (probably) the first front salto you learn as a gymnast. Aside from that, a front tuck is in the level 5 routine. So, it's an important gymnastics skill to learn and master. As you advance in gymnastics, you will probably want to do tumbling passes that start with a front tuck… Read More →

A switch leap is an advanced leap that can help you earn difficulty in your gymnastics routines. Before learning a switch leap you should have mastered a split leap, and be able to do it with a 180° split with squeezed legs and pointed feet. To do a good switch leap you will need flexibility… Read More →

  Learning how to do a front handspring is important, since you can do one on vault, floor and even on beam. However, a front handspring has many different variations which makes it a tricky skill to master. The mechanics of a front handspring will change slightly if you are doing a front handspring step-out… Read More →