Gymnastics Exercises
Primary 6 · Physical Education
Gymnastics Exercises
Lesson 2 of 3
25 min
Let's begin
At break, Mutesi turns cartwheels across the grass. Her legs are bent, her hands land in a zigzag, and she ends up sitting in a heap, laughing. "My cartwheel looks like a broken wheel!"
Today you will learn the cartwheel step by step, so it turns like a real wheel. Then you will link it with rolls, balances and jumps into your own gymnastics routine.
A cartwheel is a sideways turning movement. Your hands go down to the floor one at a time as your body turns upside down, your legs travel over the top, and then your feet come down one at a time until you are standing again. It is called a cartwheel because your arms and legs turn like the spokes of a cart's wheel.
Children have done cartwheels for a very long time. The ancient Greeks and Romans did them for fun, and in 1288 children in the German city of Düsseldorf celebrated a famous victory by doing cartwheels in the streets.
Jog and side-step around the mats. Circle your wrists and shoulders well, because in a cartwheel your arms hold up your whole body. Then do 5 lunges on each leg, 10 seconds in a front support (straight-arm plank) and 5 bunny hops with your hands on the mat.
Say the rhythm as you go: "hand, hand, foot, foot", all on one straight line.
A routine is a set of gymnastics moves linked smoothly together, with a clear start and finish. Here is Mutesi's:
Now plan yours. It must include:
Links are the moves in between: a step, a turn, a roll to stand. Good links make a routine flow like one long movement. Write your routine on a card, in order, so you can remember it.
Perform your routine for a partner. Your partner gives a score from 1 to 5 for each of these:
| What to look for | A 5 looks like... |
|---|---|
| Control | No wobbles, no steps to save a balance, soft landings |
| Shapes | Straight legs, pointed toes, clear pencil, star and tuck shapes |
| Links | Smooth, with no stops to think about what comes next |
| Start and finish | Still and clear, held for 3 seconds |
Walk slowly around the mats. Stretch your wrists by gently pulling your fingers back, then stretch your shoulders, hips and legs. Breathe slowly.
Warning
Stay safe
Tip
"Hand, hand, foot, foot, all on one line."
For your routine: still start, smooth links, clear shapes, still finish.
Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.
Why is it called a cartwheel?
Answer: Your arms and legs turn like the spokes of a cart's wheel.
Which hand goes down first in a cartwheel?
Answer: The hand on the same side as your front leg.
Why is a bent-leg cartwheel a good way to learn?
Answer: A small shape is easier to control, so you can learn the hand, hand, foot, foot pattern safely first.
Name the six parts every routine in this lesson must have.
Answer: A still start shape, a roll, a balance held for 3 seconds, a jump, a cartwheel (or bunny hops) and a still finish shape.
Mutesi's hands land in a zigzag and she ends up sitting down. What should she practise?
Answer: Putting her hands and feet on one straight line, for example with chalk marks: hand, hand, foot, foot.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Quick check
Put the steps of the cartwheel in order.
Tap the cards in the right order.
