How to Become a Better Tumbler

Tumbling is an athletic component of cheerleading which showcases skills and creates excitement on the sideline, at performances and on the competition floor. Tumbling should always be learned in a safe environment with a trained and knowledgeable coach. The first thing an athlete must understand before attempting tumbling skills is body awareness. At VCA we will always teach drills that help the athletes understand which body parts are used in certain skills. For example, before learning a forward roll, the athlete must first understand how to tuck into a ball and put their chin to their chest. We have them practice this position until we believe they are ready to practice the trick. We also practice a hollow body position to understand how core strength is used in a variety of skills, and an arch position that is used in many tumbling skill such as a back bend or back handspring.

During a tumbling class at VCA, we will go through a circuit that will include drills, as well as practicing skills withor without assistance from a mat or coach. One drill we have the athletes do constantly is a jump, either on the floor or onto a mat. Many tumbling skills require the ability to gain momentum and power from the legs, so practicing jumping is essential.They will also practice kicking up to a handstand over and over; the reason being, that a handstand position is commonly found in almost every tumbling skill. The athlete must be able to use the strength of their arms and shoulders to hold their body weight up, while squeezing their core to stabilize when upside-down.

When a basic skill is finally mastered, the athlete will move on to the next hardest skill. This will decrease the chance of injury and reinforce the technique needed in order to move on, always remember PERFECTION before PROGRESSION. This simply means that you must master the lower level skills with perfect technique before learning a more advanced skill.

It takes approximately twenty hours tomaster a new skill. If an athlete has a goal of learning a new skill quickly andthey aren’t able to make it into the gym at least a couple times a week, they are encouraged to do strength and flexibility training at home. The Varsity coaches will assign “homework” each week to ensure the athletes continue progressing. While they should never practice their new skills without the supervision of their coach; drills, stretches and conditioning are highly encouraged when they are not at the gym.Everyone can become a better tumbler; it just takes focus, drive and consistent practice!

Author, Michelle Critzer,currently a 9th year UCA staff member and head instructor. She travels to instruct, choreograph and judge Regional and National competitions. She has had the opportunity of teaching in Hawaii, Alaska, across the US and now China!

Varsity Cheerleading Academy

Address: Zhuguang Newtown International Center Block A, 4^th Floor

Qingyi Street No.1, Zhujiang Newtown

Tianhe District Guangzhou City.

(Metro Line 5 Tancun Station, Exit D, next to Zhujiang Park)

Tel: 020-37031336

Website: www.varsity.com.cn

www.varsity.com

Wechat ID: varsitychina