In gymnastics training, there are a few basic skills that are the foundation for many important moves. Understanding these moves and what they're supposed to look like can help you coach your child through their practice. Remember these terms so you can help and support your child.

What Terms Are Important in Gymnastics?

1. Handstand

During a handstand, your child balances on their hands, supporting their full weight with their arms. Their body should be completely straight, with no arched back, leaning legs, or bent neck. Leaning against a wall with their hands right at its base can help them practice good form.

2. Handspring

In this move, your child starts in a standing position, springs forward into a perfect handstand, then pushes off in the same direction to land on their feet again. This forms the basis for many moves and helps build forward momentum during a routine. There is also a back handspring, which is similar, but done while springing backward instead of forward.

3. Round-Off

This move is somewhat similar to a handspring or cartwheel. Your child will start facing one direction, do a handstand while turning their body, and end on their feet facing the other direction. It also adds power while allowing your child to turn smoothly during a routine.

4. Splits

Splits require your child to point their legs in opposite directions at right angles to their torso. If they can't achieve a full split yet, stretching will help them develop flexibility. Your child should be able to do front splits on each leg as well as middle splits, so encourage them to practice all three.

5. Cast

This is the most basic move on the bar. From a starting position in the air, with their hands on the bar and their hips resting against it, your child will push off to extend their legs behind them, then come back to the starting position. The higher they can cast, the more momentum they can get and the easier it will be to develop skills like casting into a handstand.

If your child is interested in developing these basic gymnastics skills and more, bring them to The Victors Gymnastics in Rochester, NY. Serving Monroe County and beyond, their coaches have over 30 years of experience, and their trainers are all certified under SafeSport. To sign up, call (585) 663-4810 or reach out online. Download the Victors app free on Android® and Apple®! You can sign up for classes, get reminders and exclusive deals, make payments, or watch videos. Download it here: https://victors.app.link/4tkejnTrYD