Cartwheels / Flips

[janette]

Can this be learned even if it doesn't come naturally?

My 13yo DD has always done dance, she is a very good dancer but the few times she's tried to do flips etc it just didn't happen. She's really bad at them.

Very long legs that just seem to get in the way.

It would help her in dance to be able to do simple flips. Nothing fancy just sometimes a dance might call for a flip and she'd like to be able to do it.

Is it something that can be learned by almost anyone? Several of the gymnastics places have flip classes and I could probably even get private lessons.

Any other suggestions? Do you think she could do it?

 

[kidzmom3]

My daughters do gymnastics, and it is amazing the differences in girls. some of the girls are simply amazing, they seem to defy gravity and some seem to barely be able to jump 2 feet in the air. I think that it can't hurt to try some lessons, but it may not work out. It is partially flexability and fearlessness and partially unknown. (to me anyway) good luck

 

[r3ngels]

I agree, my dd's have taken dance for years and they tried gymnastics this summer, they learned more in a summer then they could have learned on their own.

 

[Nette]

As a former gymnast and gymnastics coach, I can tell you that it really DOES depend on the individual. However, if your daughter is very talented in dance (i.e. coordinated and can follow directions concerning moving her body well) then she is probably a good candidate for a tumbling type class.

Give it a shot... No harm in trying.

 

[WDWAurora]

As a retired semi-professional dancer who cheered for 12 years, I would say that not everyone can do it. I have such long legs that they just don't work right. Flexibility wasn't a problem (back then) and I wasn't afraid, I just couldn't do it. I did it all...acrobatics classes (just the floor routine part of gymnastics), individual training, group training for cheerleading, etc, etc, etc. I practiced non-stop. I could basically do a standing back handspring at one point, but got injured before I had it solid. Roundoffs never did come. I can do a poor cartwheel though.

That being said, individual differences are everything in this area. There's absolutely no way of knowing her potential, even for you as the person who knows her best. Classes are probably worth a shot.

 

[janette]

Thanks, we have done a flip class before but she wasnt' as motivated then.

Probably a combination of fear and that it's hard for her. My younger DD has always been able to do a better cart-wheel with no training. I know some of it is just natural but it just isn't there for her.