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Gymnastic Back Roll
In this lesson you will learn how to do a gymnastic back roll.
This instruction is for the most basic back roll variation, the back
roll with bent elbows
and bent knees. After learning this, you can try the back roll with
extended arms,
the back roll with extended legs and then the back roll to handstand.
This is the first time you are moving backwards.
For subsequent lessons ( for example the back
handspring instruction ), it is very important
that you learn to roll back straight and plant your hands synchronously.
The back roll is a very easy, but essential gymnastics skill and should
be part of your
warm up routine. For more gymnastics drills go to gymnastics
main.
Technical description: Gymnastic Back Roll
- I recommend you try the back roll on a soft mat
first.
Start from a standing position and extend your arms overhead.
Look straight forward and fully extend your elbows and your knees.
Push your finger tips up as high as possible.
Keep your abs tight, don't hollow your back.
- Sit down without elevating
your heels and incline your upper body.
Keep your arms in one line with your upper body as long as possible.
Bring your arms and your upper body into a horizontal position for
a short moment.
This makes the back roll slower and easier for beginners.
Round your back and bring your chin close to your chest.
Don't hollow your back.
- Sit down and let your hands touch the floor
( or slide on the floor ) shortly.
Make sure you keep your back round and your chin close to your chest.
If you want to do a fast back roll, you don't have to extend you
arms in front of you and touch the floor with your hands. Instead
you can keep your hands pretty high and
bend your arms back when you start rolling backwards.
However, if you want to do a back roll with extended legs and elbows,
you should touch the floor with your hands, but that's an other lesson.
- Roll
back, bend your arms and plant your hands close to your shoulders.
( next to your ears ) The fingers point straight forward, to where
you are coming from.
It is very important that you roll back straight
and plant your hands synchronously.
Don't bend you head to one side. Keep you back round and your chin
close to your chest.
Keep your legs closed and flex your knees, so that your heels
are as close as possible to your buttocks.
If you are trying the back roll the first time, roll back slowly,
plant your hands and
push a little. The then roll forward again. This way you get used
to carrying yourself
with the hands. Don't roll back before you are sure you can carry
the weight with
the strength of your arms. You don't wanna injure
your neck.
Anyway, you will get used to this very fast.
- Extend your elbows,
so that you roll back without injuring your neck.
Push yourself up and align your arms and your upper body.
Then straighten your legs.
But don't extend your legs too early !
In this exercise you are not supposed to go into a handstand position.
- Then
plant your feet and raise your upper body.
Keep your arms and your upper body aligned.
Stand up and now extend your entire body vertically.
Push your finger tips up as high as you can and look straight forward.
The
end is just like the beginning position.
Trainer advice: Gymnastic Back Roll
- Learn the front roll before you try the back roll.
- Try the back roll on a very soft mat or a mattress
first.
- If you are afraid of injuring you neck at the beginning, roll back
half way and
learn how to push and support yourself with the hands.
- Roll back as straight as possible, don't bend your head to the side
and
plant your hands at the same time.
- After learning the back roll with bent elbows
and knees ( this instructions ),
you can try the back roll with extended arms and then with straight
arms and legs.
Related instructions: Gymnastic Back Roll
Videos: Gymnastic Back Roll
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