How to Do a One Handed Cartwheel

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Master the regular cartwheel.

   Make sure that you can do a regular, two-handed cartwheel really well before moving on to the one-handed cartwheel.
   
   Practice doing cartwheels from either your right and left foot, if not both.
   
   This will help improve your form, and build up the arm and shoulder strength needed for one-handed cartwheels./images/thumb/c/c9/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/c/c9/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg
2. 2

   Step 2: Find a good surface to practice on.

   You will probably fall a few times on your way to mastering the one-handed cartwheel, so it's a good idea to practice on a soft surface.
   
   Use a gym mat if you have one, or find a nice patch of soft grass in a park or your back yard.
   
   Make sure you have plenty of room, and won't wind up crashing into any furniture, etc.! /images/thumb/7/7a/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-2-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/7/7a/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-2-Version-2.jpg , Doing regular cartwheels will remind your body how a cartwheel should feel.
   
   A one-handed cartwheel is going to work exactly the same way, you're just going to remove one hand. /images/thumb/b/b2/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-3-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-3-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/b/b2/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-3-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-3-Version-2.jpg , Now take a moment and practice the footwork and hand placement you will use to do a one-handed cartwheel in slow motion.
   
   This will be just like a two-handed cartwheel, but place your near-arm (the same arm as your lead foot) behind your back, and practice taking the normal first step you would take, and then placing your far-arm down on the ground 12-18 inches from your lead foot and stepping through.
   
   Focus on keeping your feet and your hand in a straight line.
   
   Do this a few times to help you visualize what it's going to be like./images/thumb/4/4b/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-4-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-4-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/4/4b/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-4-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-4-Version-2.jpg Putting a line of tape on the floor to use as a guideline can really help you keep your cartwheels centered.How far out you place your hand depends on your height and how fast your are moving.
   
   It might take some experimentation to find just the right distance. , Pick your lead foot up slightly off the ground and raise your hands in the air as though you are about to do a regular cartwheel.
   
   Now put your near-arm out to the side or behind your back to remind yourself not to use it (if your right foot is forward, put your right hand behind your back). /images/thumb/f/f4/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-5-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/f/f4/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-5-Version-2.jpg If you are afraid of falling, try just bending your arm a bit, instead of putting it behind your back.
   
   This way you're still reminding yourself not to put the hand down, but can catch yourself if you start to fall., If you are starting on your right foot, place your left hand on the ground.
   
   To keep your cartwheel straight, make sure that your hand is planted perpendicular to your direction of travel, and that your fingers are facing in, pointing towards your starting foot, not out. (If you are starting on your right foot, plant your left hand, and make sure that your fingers are pointing left, not right.)/images/thumb/7/77/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-6-Version-2.jpg/v4-550px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-6-Version-2.jpg /images/thumb/7/77/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-6-Version-2.jpg/v4-300px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-6-Version-2.jpg , The more momentum you have, the easier the cartwheel will be.
   
   Try to push off and land in a straight line. /images/thumb/8/8d/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-7.jpg/v4-550px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-7.jpg /images/thumb/8/8d/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-7.jpg/v4-300px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-7.jpg , Doing a one-handed cartwheel is a lot easier when you have some speed built up, so try it a few times slowly to get the motion down, and then add in a run-up or lunge, as you would with a normal cartwheel. /images/thumb/c/c4/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-8.jpg/v4-550px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-8.jpg /images/thumb/c/c4/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-8.jpg/v4-300px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-8.jpg , Keep practicing until your cartwheel feels and looks smooth and easy.
   
   Try leading with your left foot and your right until both feel natural. /images/thumb/f/fd/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-9.jpg/v4-550px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-9.jpg /images/thumb/f/fd/Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-9.jpg/v4-300px-Do-a-One-Handed-Cartwheel-Step-9.jpg If the far-arm cartwheel seems too intimidating, try doing the near-arm one-handed cartwheel first.
   
   Some people find it a lot easier to start with.
   
   If you are too nervous about falling to give it your all, ask someone to spot you until you build up more confidence.
   
   If your cartwheels tend to go off to one side or the other you may not have your hand positioned correctly, or may not be lining your feet up in a straight line.
   
   Ask someone to watch you, and give you tips on your form.
3. 3

   Step 3: Do some warmup cartwheels.

4. 4

   Step 4: Practice the footwork.

5. 5

   Step 5: Get into position.

6. 6

   Step 6: Bend forward and plant your hand.

7. 7

   Step 7: Push off with your back leg and kick your legs up and over.

8. 8

   Step 8: Add some momentum.

9. 9

   Step 9: Practice

10. 10

    Step 10: practice

11. 11

    Step 11: practice.

Detailed Guide

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