Download ArticleDownload Article

If you’re looking to take your gymnastics skillset to the next level, the backwards roll is a great move to add to your repertoire. It’s a little more challenging than a forward roll, but not so tough that you can’t pick it up with a few minutes of practice. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps so that you can master the backwards roll in no time!

1

Stand up.

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Keep your feet under your shoulders and straighten your frame.
    Stand up with your legs and back straight and your hands at your sides.
  2. Advertisement
2

Crouch down.

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Bend at the knees and hips to tuck into a compact position.
    Crouch down onto your knees.
3

Start to roll.

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Lean back slowly and accelerate as your back hits the floor.
    Roll backwards, onto your back
  2. Advertisement
4

Join your legs.

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Tuck your legs together as they rotate through the air.
    Put your hands just below your hips to hold your legs up into the air. (Like a back stand.)
5

Swing your legs overhead.

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Use the momentum from your roll to swing through the motion.
    Let your legs fall backwards to your side.
  2. Advertisement
  1. How.com.vn English: As your feet touch the floor, use your hands to prop yourself up.
    Use your arms to help you sit back up.
7

Stand up to finish.

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: You can pop up with a little gusto to make a show of it, if you prefer.
    Get back on your feet and take a bow. You’ve done a backward roll!
  2. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I get up from it?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try slowly standing up, knees first, then legs. After you master that, try just your legs, no knees. After that, try jumping right up. Be sure to be slow and steady!
  • Question
    How can I prevent myself from hurting my neck?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Tuck your head under as tightly as you can whenever you do a backward roll. It may take some practice but you'll get the hang of it.
  • Question
    Will I hurt my neck during step 5?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It shouldn't hurt at all unless you are doing the position wrong or you haven't stretched properly.
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If you have a good amount of speed then you will be able to do it better.
      • It's easier to do if you have a soft object that slopes to the side to practice against.
      • If you keep practicing, you won't have to roll to the side so much.
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • When doing a backwards roll, have someone next to you to make sure you don't hurt your neck, wrist, etc.
      • Don't put significant pressure on your neck (including by your head). Support yourself with other parts.
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Yourself
      • Floor space
      • Mat (Optional)
      • A friend to make sure you don't get hurt

      About This Article

      How.com.vn is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 19 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 47,998 times.
      6 votes - 60%
      Co-authors: 19
      Updated: June 11, 2022
      Views: 47,998
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 47,998 times.

      Did this article help you?

      ⚠️ Disclaimer:

      Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
      Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.

      Notices:
      • - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
      • - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
      • - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
      • - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.

      Advertisement