Forward Roll
The forward roll is a foundational movement skill that develops body awareness, balance and coordination. It introduces children to controlled rotation and is often used as a building block for more advanced gymnastics skills. Forward rolls can be introduced safely in the early years, with children usually developing fluency and control by Year 4.
Teaching cues
- Start in a standing position.
- Plant hands firmly on the mat/wedge.
- Tuck your chin into your chest to protect your neck.
- Roll onto your shoulders, not the top of your head.
- Keep your body rounded like a rock throughout the roll.
- Push from your feet as you move into the roll.
- Stand up without using your hands at the end of the roll.
Teaching strategies
- Start by practicing tucking into a small ball and rocking forward and backward (rock & roll)
- Use a wedge or gentle slope to support momentum through the roll
- Guide children with one-on-one instruction, using hands-on support if necessary
- Practice forward rolls down a padded incline (e.g., a wedge mat)
- Use chalk to mark where children need to place their hands on the mat
- Focus on tucking the chin and keeping the body rounded
- Ensure children understand the safety rule: roll on shoulders, not on the head
- Encourage children to roll and stand up without using hands
- Introduce paired mirroring or synchronised forward rolls
- Focus on fluency, body control and finish position
- Sequence forward rolls into a gymnastics routine with balances and jumps
- Roll into different positions (e.g., forward roll into a front support position or dish position)
- Integrate forward rolls into partner challenges or gymnastics games
Skill criteria
- Start in a stable standing or squat position
- Hands placed firmly on the mat, shoulder-width apart
- Chin tucked to chest throughout the roll
- Body stays rounded through the spine, avoiding flat back
- Rolls smoothly over the shoulders
- Uses momentum and core strength to return to standing position
- Stands up with control, ideally without using hands
Common errors
- Head touches the mat (chin not tucked)
- Rolling on the neck instead of shoulders
- Hands placed too wide or too narrow
- Body too flat – lacks rounding
- Pushing too hard or not hard enough from the feet (making it difficult to stand up at the end of the forward roll)
