Bridging the Gap of Gymnastics Lingo
Skills, Drills, Progressions, Conditioning, & At Home Training
Forward Roll Progressions & Drills
The Basics
To introduce a forward roll have gymnast stand at the top of the wedge, place hands on the ground, place head on the ground, then push bottom to the sky and roll forward.
Wedge Mat
Forward roll down the wedge.
Forward roll UP the wedge to increase core strength.
To introduce a forward roll have gymnast stand at the top of the wedge, place hands on the ground, place head on the ground, then push bottom to the sky and roll forward.
Longer Rolls
Place a panel mat on the ground and have the gymnast stand at one end on the ground at one end. Placing hands on the mat do a forward roll the length of the mat and stand up off the opposite end of the mat.
Rock-n-Rolls
Hold tuck shape and rock back and come back up. Next try to progress to a 'Rock-n-Pop,' which is when the gymnast holds a tuck shape, rocks back and the rocks back up and stands or jumps. To increase difficulty try without the use of hands.
Over A Rollie
Standing in front of a rollie, reach out and over and place hands on the ground and continue to tuck head in and roll over into a roll.
Take It To The Floor
Try a forward roll on the floor. Be sure to push your bottom up to the sky in order to get your body to roll forward.
Overcoming Fears
Stand at the top of a wedge-touch toes-count to 10
Next time have the gymnast place head on ground-count to 10
Next have gymnast extend legs and push bottom to the sky
Eventually the student will 'fall' into the roll
After several attempts, allow student to do an 'egg roll' on their side
OR have the gymnast squat and you 'hug' them around their back and legs and force the roll *** with their permission
Standing Up
Put a wedge mat next to a wall (pointy end touching the wall) Forward roll down the wedge and give the wall 2 high fives. Also work on keeping chin to chest. Work on standing up out of the roll.