How to Do the Perfect Cartwheel: A Step-by-Step Guide from Ignition Performance Academy 🤸‍♀️

Cartwheels are one of the most exciting skills for young dancers to learn and a key building block for more advanced acrobatics. They not only look impressive but also build strength, flexibility, and body awareness, making them a fantastic skill to master for anyone in dance or gymnastics. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help your child work on their cartwheel technique safely and effectively, straight from Ignition Performance Academy.

Incorporating fundamental acrobatic skills like cartwheels early on can support your child’s growth in kids acrobatics classes or dance classes for school-aged children. So, let’s break it down into simple steps to ensure their first cartwheels are safe, controlled, and fun!

1. Warm-Up First

Before starting any acrobatic movement, a proper warm-up is essential. Warming up helps prevent injuries, increases flexibility, and prepares the muscles for action. Have your child do some light cardio, like jumping jacks or jogging on the spot, to get their heart rate up. After that, focus on stretching the wrists, shoulders, hamstrings, and hips. These areas will be actively engaged in the cartwheel, so it’s important they’re warmed up and ready.

This warm-up routine also benefits children enrolled in kids dance classes or those interested in advancing to acro-focused programs. A good warm-up is always the first step to a safe and successful practice!

2. Starting Position: Hands Up

Begin by having your child stand in a tall position with their feet together and arms stretched overhead. If your child is right-handed, have them step their right foot forward; if they’re left-handed, they should step their left foot forward. This foot positioning will be their “lead” side.

Encourage them to keep their gaze straight ahead and to focus on extending their arms as if they were reaching for the sky. This initial stance builds a strong foundation and helps with balance as they move into the cartwheel motion. Practicing this setup will also benefit those attending kids ballet classes as it strengthens posture and body awareness.

3. The Launch: Lunge Forward

From the starting position, your child should bend their front knee slightly and extend their back leg to create a solid lunge. This lunge is important because it generates the momentum needed to carry their body into the full cartwheel. Have them practice the lunge a few times to get comfortable with shifting their weight from both feet onto just one.

Remind your child that they should keep their arms locked out and shoulders strong. This upper-body stability will be crucial in supporting their weight as they transition from standing to upside down. Encourage them to “push off” from their back leg with a bit of energy to give them the momentum they need.

4. Hand Placement: Side by Side

Next, guide your child to place their hands on the ground one after the other in a smooth, sweeping motion. If they’re leading with their right side, their right hand should touch the floor first, followed by their left hand. Ensure their fingers are spread wide to create a stable base. This hand placement will help them maintain control and prevent tipping over.

Hand positioning can be tricky, especially for younger kids. Practicing with guidance in kids acrobatics classes can help them develop proper hand and body alignment over time, minimising the risk of injury and improving overall balance and control.

5. The Kick and Rotation: Legs Overhead

Now for the fun part—the kick! As soon as their hands touch the floor, they should kick their back leg up towards the ceiling, followed by the other leg. This motion will carry their body up and over in an arc, making the “wheel” shape of a cartwheel. Remind them to keep both legs straight and toes pointed, which helps them control the movement and stay balanced.

For beginners, you can have them practice against a wall or with a spotter until they gain confidence. This way, they can feel what it’s like to get their legs overhead without worrying about falling sideways. Practicing in a supportive environment like kids acrobatics classes can help them build confidence and strength for mastering this technique.

6. Landing: Back to Lunge

Once their legs come down, their feet should touch the floor one after the other in the opposite direction they started. This means if they kicked off with their right foot, they should land first with their left foot and then the right. They should finish in a lunge facing the opposite direction from where they started, with their arms raised overhead again.

Landing in control is just as important as the setup, as it helps them gain balance and return to a stable position. Encourage them to keep their core engaged and their eyes focused forward to maintain stability.

7. Practice and Patience

Like all dance and acrobatic skills, mastering the cartwheel takes time, practice, and patience. Celebrate small successes, like getting their feet off the ground or holding their balance for an extra second. A little encouragement goes a long way in building confidence!

At Ignition Performance Academy, we know that every child progresses at their own pace. Regular practice in a structured environment like acro dance classes for kids allows children to receive tailored guidance and hands-on support from experienced instructors.

Safety Tips for Parents

• Supervise: Make sure your child has a safe, open space to practice. Avoid hard surfaces and remove any obstacles.

• Encourage: Positive reinforcement is key! Celebrate each step, even if it’s not a “perfect” cartwheel yet.

• Support: Consider enrolling your child in an acrobatics or beginner gymnastics class. Working with instructors will provide them with foundational strength and skills that make learning more advanced moves safer and more enjoyable.

Why Cartwheels Are Great for Kids

Cartwheels are an excellent introduction to acrobatics for children and bring various benefits. They improve coordination, balance, and body awareness. Moreover, learning skills like cartwheels in a fun and encouraging environment builds confidence and resilience—qualities they can carry into all aspects of life. Practicing basic skills in kids acrobatics classes or dance studios for children helps children develop a strong foundation for more complex moves later on.

So, give these steps a try and encourage your child to keep practicing! Whether they’re learning their first cartwheel or mastering their form, acrobatic skills can open up a whole new world of movement and creativity for young dancers.