In this article, I list the basic floor skills that a beginner gymnast will learn. This is based on the requirements for Artistic gymnasts but many of the skills are shared in different disciplines such as Tumbling and Acrobatics.
Table of Contents
- Basic Body Shapes
- Rolling
- Acro Moves
- Somersaults
- Balances
- Jumps
- Leaps
- Men’s Artistic Floor Skills
- Basic Tumbling Passes
Disclaimer: Gymnastics carries an inherent level of risk. Information contained in this article does not replace the need for professional coaching in a recognized gymnastics facility.
Basic Body Shapes
Understanding basic body shaping is key to performing any of the floor skills listed in this guide. Mastering these basic shapes with good posture and body tension will make it a lot easier to learn more advanced skills in the future.
- Tuck
- Pike
- Straddle
- Stretched (standing)
- Star
- Front Support
- Back Support
- Hollow Dish
- Arch
Read here for more on how to master the basic shapes.
Rolling
- Forwards Roll
- Backwards Roll
- Hollow Dish to Arch (Log Roll)
- Handstand Forward Roll
- Dive Forwards Roll
- Back Extension Roll
Basic Forwards and Backwards Rolls can be performed using various body shapes. Tucked is the easiest because round things always roll more easily than longer or straighter shapes. Rolls can also finish in star, piked or straddled shapes and even in a support shape. Back Extension Rolls require a lot of strength as they pass through the Handstand position.
Read my beginner’s guides to Forwards and Backwards Rolls for a more detailed guide on these skills.
Acro Moves
- Handstand
- Cartwheel
- Round off
- Front Walkover
- Back Walkover
- Front Handspring
- Back Handspring
- Aerial (Free) Cartwheel
These basic Acro moves are often linked together to make longer passes which also include somersaults. There are dozens of variations (too many to fit into this article) but to give you a basic example, a Handstand can also have a pirouette, hop or walk. Likewise, a Cartwheel could be performed with only one hand.
Somersaults
- Front Somi
- Back Somi
- Whip Back
- Twisting Somersaults
Somersaults (or somi for short) can be performed in tucked, piked or layout (straight) positions. Tucked is easiest and layout is usually the hardest for most gymnasts. Pucked somersaults are a very open tucked shape usually used as a progression to learning layout but are not recognized as a skill in competitions.
Twisting somersaults are performed in the layout position and can be added in halves. For example Back Layout with 1 and a half twists.
Advanced gymnasts can perform multiple somersaults combined with twists.
Balances
- Single Leg Balance
- Arabesque
- Y-Scale
- Headstand
- V-Sit
- Bridge
A good balance is held for around 5 seconds with good posture and minimum wobble. How you get into the balance and finish the balance is also important.
Jumps
- Straight Jump
- Tuck Jump
- Star Jump
- Straddle Jump
- Pike Jump
- Wolf Jump
- Split Jump
Turns can be added to most jumps in half-turn increments. For example, a Tuck Jump can be performed with a half-turn or full-turn. A straight body shape is the easiest to turn in.
Leaps
- Split Leap
- Cat Leap
- Ring Leap
- Switch Leg Leap
- Sissone
Jumps and Leaps are commonly found in Women’s Floor routines and are also transferred onto Balance Beam Routines.
Men’s Artistic Floor Skills
Whilst many skills are performed by both genders, some skills are only traditionally found in the Men’s program.
- Planche
- Flairs
- Manna
Basic Tumbling Passes
- Round off – Back Handspring – Back Salto
- Front somi – Round Off – Back Handspring
- Front Handspring – Front Somi
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