How to do a Beam Cartwheel
A Beam Cartwheel is an acro skill on balance beam that gymnasts usually learn between Levels 3 and 4, once a Beam Handstand is solid.
Also called: cartwheel on beam.
Quick facts
| Apparatus | Balance Beam |
|---|---|
| Typical level (estimate) | Levels 3-4 |
| Difficulty (Stickd rating) | 4/10 |
| Time to learn after the prerequisite (estimate) | About 4 weeks |
| Whole progression (estimate) | About 9 weeks from a Step-On Mount |
| Fear factor (Stickd rating) | 3/5 |
Levels, ratings and timelines are Stickd estimates for planning, not USAG requirements.
What to learn before a Beam Cartwheel
Work through these skills in order. Each one is a required step toward a Beam Cartwheel.
- Step-On Mount (Levels 1-2)
- Beam Handstand (Levels 3-4)
Helpful but not required
Step-by-step progression
The path to a Beam Cartwheel has 3 steps. Week counts are typical estimates for regular training.
- 1
Step-On Mount
Learn a Step-On Mount until it is solid, usually between Levels 1 and 2. About 1 week (estimate).
- 2
Beam Handstand
Learn a Beam Handstand until it is solid, usually between Levels 3 and 4. About 4 weeks (estimate).
- 3
Beam Cartwheel
Learn a Beam Cartwheel. Allow about 4 weeks once the step before it is solid (estimate).
Drills that build a Beam Cartwheel
What good form looks like
Lateral rotation on beam with straight legs.
- shoulders: open
- elbows: straight
- hips: open
- knees: straight
Common deductions on a Beam Cartwheel
| Deduction | What it means | Typically |
|---|---|---|
| Bent Knees | Legs not fully extended during skills requiring straight legs | 0.1 |
| Balance Check | Wobble or pause to regain balance on beam | 0.1 |
| Body Alignment | Body not in proper line (arch, pike, or lean) | 0.1 |
Typical values; judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is, and the judges' score is the official one.
Fear and confidence
Stickd rates a Beam Cartwheel 3 out of 5 for fear. It involves acro on the narrow beam, being upside down. Feeling nervous about it is normal, and confidence usually builds step by step through the progression above.
Mental techniques that help
Box Breathing
A 4-count breathing pattern to calm your nervous system before attempting a scary skill.
Positive Self-Talk Reframe
Replace negative fear thoughts with accurate, empowering statements.
Backward Skill Visualization
Close your eyes and mentally rehearse the skill from start to finish, feeling each phase.
Skills a Beam Cartwheel unlocks
- Back Walkover (Balance Beam, Levels 4-5)
- Beam Round-Off Dismount (Balance Beam, Levels 4-5)
Watch an example
Watch a Beam Cartwheel tutorial on YouTube (opens in a new tab).
Frequently asked questions
- What level do gymnasts learn a Beam Cartwheel?
- Gymnasts usually learn a Beam Cartwheel between Levels 3 and 4. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.
- How long does it take to learn a Beam Cartwheel?
- About 4 weeks once a Beam Handstand is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Step-On Mount, the whole progression adds up to about 9 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.
- What should my gymnast learn before a Beam Cartwheel?
- Beam Handstand comes directly before it. The full progression is Step-On Mount, then Beam Handstand, then Beam Cartwheel. Helpful but not required: Cartwheel.
- What are the most common deductions on a Beam Cartwheel?
- The ones to watch for are Bent Knees (usually about 0.1), Balance Check (usually about 0.1) and Body Alignment (usually about 0.1). Judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is.
- Is a Beam Cartwheel scary to learn?
- It can be. Stickd rates its fear factor 3 out of 5 because it involves acro on the narrow beam and being upside down. Techniques like Box Breathing and Positive Self-Talk Reframe help gymnasts build confidence.