Floor Skills

Forward Roll - Advanced Skills

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Pike Forward Roll

When first learning, perform the pike forward roll down an incline.

Verbal/Linguistic

Begin in a straight body stand with arms straight overhead.
Keep arms by ears, pike and reach to closed standing pike until the hands touch the floor.
Push off the feet and round the spine, transferring the weight to the hands and back of the head.
Roll onto the back remaining in pike.
Finish in a straight body stand.

Visual/Spatial

See lower legs close to head throughout roll.
Keep a closed pike shape throughout
Kinder Cue:  Make a sandwich, close it tight, put it in the toaster and up it pops! (with arms overhead)


Logical/Mathematical

Sequence:  Straight Body Stand, Standing Pike Support, Tuck Head, Push with Hands, Roll to Inverted Pike, Straight Body Stand, Salute
Keep angle of pike at maximum closure throughout

Bodily/Kinesthetic

Feel chest on shins and ribcage on thighs
Push against the floor hard to stand up in pike

Musical/Rhythmical

Stand, Pike, Reach, Push, Tuck Head, Roll, Finish

Assist

Touch back of head as a reminder to roll on back of head and upper shoulders.  Place both hands on hips to assist hip lift and to control pressure and head and neck.

Common Errors

Not rounding spine enough
Putting hands down on floor prior to standing
Not getting enough momentum to come to stand keeping legs straight

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Pike Forward Roll Variations with Pike Finish

Tuck to Pike Forward Roll

Sequence: Straight Body Stand, Tuck Support, Tuck Head, Push with Feet, Roll to Inverted Pike, Push, Straight Body Stand

Straddle to Pike Forward Roll

Sequence: Straddle Stand, Standing Straddle Pike Support, Tuck Head, Push with Feet, Roll to Inverted Pike, Push, Straight Body Stand

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Handstand, Forward Roll

A good handstand, which can be maintained in proper position and alignment for 3 to 5 seconds, is an intermediate floor skill and must be mastered before attempting the handstand, forward roll. When first learning, perform the handstand, forward roll down an incline.

Verbal/Lingustic

Begin in gymnastic point.
Kick free leg to horizontal then take a long step in lunge.
Lever to handstand moving feet past vertical to initiate forward momentum.
Tuck the chin to start the curve in the spine.
Continue to round the spine one vertebra at a time.
Bend the arms and keeping elbows tucked in as the back of the head and upper shoulders make contact with the mat in candlestick position.
Tuck the legs to perform the forward roll.
Finish in a straight body stand.

Visual/Spatial

Tilt handstand forward, holding position until you start to fall forward, then tuck
Tuck head to look for toes in handstand
Round back only slightly
Hands touch only once
See knees together as you stand up


Logical/Mathematical

Sequence:  Stretch Body, Lift Leg, Gymnastics Point, Lunge, Lever, Handstand, Tuck Chin and Bend Arms, Candlestick, Forward Roll, Straight Body Stand, Salute
Body moves a little past vertical in handstand

Bodily/Kinesthetic

From handstand, roll sequentially through each vertebra (one vertebra at a time)
Let forward momentum take you up to standing

Musical/Rhythmical

From handstand, roll sequentially through each vertebra (one vertebra at a time)
Let forward momentum take you up to standing

Rhythem
1
Kick
2
Handstand
3
Roll
4
Stand

Assist

When gymnast is in handstand, hold gymnastís legs to control descent.

Common Errors

Using too much momentum, kicking too hard
Landing on a flat back
Not tucking chin

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