Advanced Tumbling

 

This blog post is devoted to advance tumbling skills, including levels three, four, and five skills. If you would like to read more about simpler skills, look at my previous blog: Level 1 & 2 Tumbling. As you know everything tumbling pass will mostly involve a round off back handspring to get the power and momentum need to throw advanced tumbling skills. Besides explaining how to do all the different tumbling skills I will also post videos, like I did in my last post, so you can have a visual on how to do each tumbling skill. The first skill I will explain is a level three skill; it’s called a back tuck. A back tuck is where after you get the momentum from the back handspring, you squat again like you are doing a back handspring, but this time jump straight up in the air. Once you think you have reached the highest point of your jump, you drive your knees up, and grab the bottom of your knees in a ball position. Once you come out of the ball position stand back up, but remember to keep your head in towards your chest so that you don’t whip your head back and cause injury. Also remember that the higher you set for your back tuck, the cleaner and higher your tuck will be. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6yZz3uCS6Q&feature=player_embedded. The next skill is a front punch which is exactly like a back tuck except this time you go in a ball forward. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZpvQrH-smg.

Now I will explain a few level four tumbling skills, the first being a layout. Do a running round off and probably a back handspring to get a good rebound and momentum. Lean back during the rebound and push your hips forward. Remember, not push your hips too far. Flip and keep your body straight and tight. Make sure not to bend or tuck your knees. Try not to whip yourself over to land. This would be considered a whip back. Keep the same position, tight and straight and let your feet come down to the floor. Land on the balls of your feet and remain steady and tight to avoid falling backward or forward. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=micmUHr4DRI.

This is where the tumbling skills get a lot harder, and for some people this is where they stop. This next skill is called a twisting full. To perform a twisting full, you start with your round off back handspring. Next put your arms by your head start to jump up. At this time you will start to see the ceiling, remember to keep your eyes open! Take your leading arm (the side your twisting towards) and drop it behind you. Imagine that you're elbowing a person behind you. To get around faster, take your other arm and bring it on the other one; also in the direction you're twisting towards.  Keep your arms in this position until you see the ground. Once you are safely on the ground out your arms back by your sides. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsLvr4D1AwU.

The rest of the tumbling skills just get harder and more difficult from here. Other tumbling skills would be a double twisting full, where you turn twice while in the air. Also to add onto the layout, you can learn to do a whip, which is where you do the basics of a layout, but you have a lot more power, so you whip over a lot faster. I hope that these tips help you learn to tumble, or become a better tumbler than you already are!