Almost all new gymnasts that do their forward roll will just tuck their head in and fall forward. This is fine for learning the idea behind the forward roll, but what we want is the gymnast to push off with their feet to get power into the roll.

The idea behind this drill is to remove the option of just falling forward. Using a wedge or block and placing the gymnast in front will remove the possibility of the gymnast just falling forward. Now the gymnast needs to push hard down on the floor with both feet to make a little jump to initiate the roll.

This drill is used to help the gymnast to extend out of their backward roll towards a handstand. The gymnast will not actually go into a handstand with this drill, but will learn to extend more upwards. This drill is a natural progression to the “Backward Extension Roll”.

This is one of the more difficult forward rolls to execute. The gymnast rolls in a sandwich position, keeping compressed as they execute the roll. The use of the wedge helps the gymnast with momentum of rotation and making it easier to complete the skill.

The forward straddle roll is a roll with legs wide and straight. The roll is done in the pancake position. Using a wedge helps the gymnasts to get momentum on the roll and makes it much easier to complete.

A roll where the legs are straight and in the straddle position while rolling backwards. In this drill we use a wedge to help the gymnast to gain momentum backwards and thereby making it easier to complete this skill.