Roundoff

For round off errors, see Round-off error.

A boy demonstrates a round off followed by a back handspring.

A roundoff is a move in gymnastics similar to a cartwheel.

The roundoff is a gymnastic technique that turns horizontal speed into vertical speed (to jump higher); it is also used effectively to turn forward momentum from a run into backwards momentum, giving speed and power to backwards moves such as flips and somersaults.

The roundoff is similar to a cartwheel except the gymnast lands with two feet placed together on the ground instead of one foot at a time, facing the direction they arrived from. This is achieved by twisting the hands and shoulders as the hands are placed on the ground. The two hands are generally placed down one after the other, so that the first hand is twisted by 90 degrees and the second hand by almost 180 degrees from the direction of travel. This creates a handstand position facing the opposite direction the gymnast started in, which they then snap their hips down quickly to create backwards momentum.

This technique is seen in men's and women's floor gymnastics. The roundoff sometimes initiates a series of back handsprings, flips and twists (called tumbling).

Roundoffs are used by most acrobatic sports, including certain types of dancing and cheerleading.

Progressions

Roundoffs are an essential part of the Yurchenko vault. In a Yurchenko vault, the gymnast does a round-off onto the springboard and a back handspring onto the horse or vaulting table. The gymnast then performs a salto, which may range in difficulty from a simple single tuck to a triple twist layout.

Preparing a roundoff for the Yurchenko Vault