The movement is initiated from the standing position by a step forward of the takeoff leg. The body leans forward and the arms are placed in front of the bent takeoff leg, perpendicular to the balance beam. The extended swinging leg performs a quick kick backwards with a simultaneous push off from the beam of the other leg. When passing the handstand, the gymnast performs a 90° turn. Then the upper limbs push off the balance beam, the arms rise upwards. At the same time the legs go together, the hips are slightly flexed. Thus the gymnast lands on the mat with her feet together, facing the balance beam.

Roundoff is an element in which the body rotates around the sagita, transversal and vertical axes. The gymnast obtains kinetic energy through the push-off force of one leg and the swing force of the other. In the second phase of the element, when the arms bounce off the balance beam the ground reaction forces add momentum to the rotational motion.The gymnast is landing on the ground from a height, so it is important to reduce the impact force. This can be ensured by prolonging the period of motion deceleration, that is, by landing in a squat position and using a mat.

• Slow motion of the swing leg.
• Hip flexion during handstand passage.
• Uncompleted turn around the vertical axis of the body.

• Physical preparation 1

  Stretch the hamstrings.

• Physical preparation 2

  For a dynamic swing of the lower limb when initiating the roundoff, strengthen the hip extensors.

• Physical preparation 3

  In the front support, we strengthen the brachial plexus muscles.

• Drill 1

  The drill is based on performing cartwheel. In the final phase, the body rotates and the take-off leg adds to the other.

• Drill 2

  In the following exercise we perform the turn earlier. The legs go together already before the contact of the feet with the mat. The hands remain on the ground, their support is necessary. The correct position of the hands on the mat is important.

• Drill 3

  For beginners, it is recommended to use the elevated mat surface to eliminate the lack of rotation of the body and the poor support of the arms.

• Drill 4

  Next, practice the roundoff from the elevated surface with assistance, then without it.

The assistant stands at the end of the balance beam on the side of the practitioner's takeoff leg. One hand holds the gymnast's forearm when her hand touches the end of the balance beam. The other hand supports the gymnast in the hip area and controls the movement until the landing.