How to do a cartwheel: a beginner's step-by-step

What is a cartwheel and why does it matter?

A cartwheel is a wheel-like rotation of the body sideways, passing through a momentary handstand and landing back on your feet. Your hands and feet touch the floor one at a time in an even rhythm, ideally along a single straight line.

For cheer, the cartwheel matters because it teaches the fundamentals every harder skill is built on: pushing through straight arms, holding a tight body, and knowing where your body is in the air. A strong cartwheel makes round-offs and back handsprings much easier to learn later.

How do I do a cartwheel step by step?

Start on a soft, open surface with plenty of space, ideally a mat. Pick a lead hand and foot. Imagine a straight line on the floor and try to place everything along it. Move slowly at first and build speed only once the shape is correct.

• •Stand tall facing forward with your arms up by your ears and your strong leg in front.
• •Reach out and place your first hand on the line, then your second hand, keeping both arms straight.
• •Kick your back leg up and over so you pass through a tall, stretched handstand shape.
• •Let your legs split apart in the air like the spokes of a wheel.
• •Bring the first foot down, then the second, and stand up finishing with your arms back up by your ears.

What are the most common cartwheel mistakes?

Almost every beginner makes the same few errors. Fixing them early keeps the skill clean and sets up better tumbling down the road.

• •Bent arms: arms should stay straight and strong. Bent arms collapse and can hurt the wrists or head.
• •Curving off the line: hands and feet should land in a straight path, not a banana shape to the side.
• •Not kicking hard enough: weak legs keep your hips low, so you never reach the handstand shape.
• •Looking around instead of at your hands: keep your eyes on the floor where your hands land.
• •Rushing: speed without shape just reinforces bad habits. Get the shape first, then add pace.

What drills help me build a better cartwheel?

Coaches break the cartwheel into pieces so you can feel each part. These drills are simple and safe to practice under supervision in class.

Handstand practice against a wall builds the straight-arm strength and body line the cartwheel passes through. Placing your hands on a slightly raised mat helps beginners get their hips over the top. Doing cartwheels along a taped line or over a small foam block trains straightness and a strong finish.

• •Wall handstands for straight-arm strength and body awareness.
• •Cartwheel over a low mat or panel to encourage lifting the hips high.
• •Cartwheel along a straight line to train hand and foot placement.
• •Lunge-and-reach practice to nail the starting position every time.

Is it safe to practice a cartwheel at home?

A basic cartwheel is one of the safer skills to practice, but it should still be introduced correctly by a coach so you do not build habits that cause wrist or neck strain. Practice only on a soft surface with clear space, and never move on to harder skills like round-offs or back handsprings on your own. Those require trained coaching, progressions, and spotting.

For families in Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach, and across Broward County, a beginner tumbling class is the best place to learn a cartwheel the right way. Coaches catch small mistakes early and build straight to the next skill safely.