What level do gymnasts learn a Roundoff?

Gymnasts usually learn a Roundoff around Level 3. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.

How long does it take to learn a Roundoff?

About 3 weeks once a Cartwheel is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Handstand, the whole progression adds up to about 8 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.

What should my gymnast learn before a Roundoff?

Cartwheel comes directly before it. The full progression is Handstand, then Cartwheel, then Roundoff.

What are the most common deductions on a Roundoff?

The ones to watch for are Bent Knees (usually about 0.1), Insufficient Amplitude (up to 0.20) and Body Alignment (usually about 0.1). Judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is.

How to do a Roundoff

A Roundoff is a tumbling skill on floor exercise that gymnasts usually learn around Level 3, once a Cartwheel is solid.

Also called: round-off, round off.

Quick facts

Apparatus	Floor Exercise
Typical level (estimate)	Level 3
Difficulty (Stickd rating)	3/10
Time to learn after the prerequisite (estimate)	About 3 weeks
Whole progression (estimate)	About 8 weeks from a Handstand
Fear factor (Stickd rating)	1/5

Levels, ratings and timelines are Stickd estimates for planning, not USAG requirements.

What to learn before a Roundoff

Work through these skills in order. Each one is a required step toward a Roundoff.

Handstand (Levels 1-2)
Cartwheel (Level 2)

Step-by-step progression

The path to a Roundoff has 3 steps. Week counts are typical estimates for regular training.

1
Handstand
Learn a Handstand until it is solid, usually between Levels 1 and 2. About 3 weeks (estimate).
2
Cartwheel
Learn a Cartwheel until it is solid, usually around Level 2. About 2 weeks (estimate).
3
Roundoff
Learn a Roundoff. Allow about 3 weeks once the step before it is solid (estimate).

Drills that build a Roundoff

Technique focus areas: Snap down.

What good form looks like

Cartwheel with 180-degree rotation to face opposite direction.

shoulders: open
elbows: straight
hips: open
knees: straight

Common deductions on a Roundoff

Deduction	What it means	Typically
Bent Knees	Legs not fully extended during skills requiring straight legs	0.1
Insufficient Amplitude	Not enough height or extension on jumps, leaps, or tumbling	up to 0.20
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.

Skills a Roundoff unlocks

Front Handspring (Floor Exercise, Levels 4-5)
Back Handspring (Floor Exercise, Levels 4-5)
Aerial (Floor Exercise, Levels 6-7)

Watch an example

Watch a Roundoff tutorial on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

Frequently asked questions

What level do gymnasts learn a Roundoff?: Gymnasts usually learn a Roundoff around Level 3. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.
How long does it take to learn a Roundoff?: About 3 weeks once a Cartwheel is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Handstand, the whole progression adds up to about 8 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.
What should my gymnast learn before a Roundoff?: Cartwheel comes directly before it. The full progression is Handstand, then Cartwheel, then Roundoff.
What are the most common deductions on a Roundoff?: The ones to watch for are Bent Knees (usually about 0.1), Insufficient Amplitude (up to 0.20) and Body Alignment (usually about 0.1). Judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is.