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Backwards roll

Other names for this skill: backwards sommersault

Basic skill

• The backwards roll is all about pushing with the arms. A very common error is to roll over one side of the head.
• The gymnast must place their hands flat on the floor fingers towards their shoulders as they roll back.
• A good drill to establish this is to have the gymnast roll back place their hands flat on the floor by their head and roll back to a stand
• Doing backwards rolls down an incline mat will help develop a feel.
• Be sure to encourage the gymnasts to land on their feet and not their knees. It's an easy thing to fix early, much harder if it gets to be habit.