What level do gymnasts learn a Wolf Turn?

Gymnasts usually learn a Wolf Turn between Levels 4 and 5. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.

How long does it take to learn a Wolf Turn?

About 3 weeks of regular practice, as a rough estimate. Real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.

What are the most common deductions on a Wolf Turn?

The ones to watch for are Incomplete Turn (usually about 0.1), Heel Drop During Turn (up to 0.10 each), Poor Turn Position (usually about 0.1) and Balance Check (usually about 0.1). Judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is.

How to do a Wolf Turn

A Wolf Turn is a turn on floor exercise that gymnasts usually learn between Levels 4 and 5.

Also called: squat turn.

Quick facts

Apparatus	Floor Exercise
Typical level (estimate)	Levels 4-5
Difficulty (Stickd rating)	4/10
Time to learn (estimate)	About 3 weeks
Fear factor (Stickd rating)	0/5

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

Step-by-step progression

A Wolf Turn is a starting skill with no required prerequisite.

1
Wolf Turn
Learn a Wolf Turn. Allow about 3 weeks (estimate).

Drills that build a Wolf Turn

What good form looks like

Turn on one foot in a squat (support leg bent) with the free leg extended forward near horizontal; usually a full (360-degree) turn or more.

supporting_knee: straight
free_leg_knee: bent
hip: open

Common deductions on a Wolf Turn

Deduction	What it means	Typically
Incomplete Turn	Turn not completed to required rotation (e.g., under-rotated)	0.1
Heel Drop During Turn	Heel touches floor during turn when relevé required	up to 0.10 each
Poor Turn Position	Body position not maintained during turn (leg position, arms)	0.1
Balance Check	Wobble or pause to regain balance on beam	0.1

Typical values; judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is, and the judges' score is the official one.

Skills a Wolf Turn unlocks

Double Turn (Floor Exercise, Levels 6-7)

Watch an example

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

Frequently asked questions

What level do gymnasts learn a Wolf Turn?: Gymnasts usually learn a Wolf Turn between Levels 4 and 5. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.
How long does it take to learn a Wolf Turn?: About 3 weeks of regular practice, as a rough estimate. Real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.
What are the most common deductions on a Wolf Turn?: The ones to watch for are Incomplete Turn (usually about 0.1), Heel Drop During Turn (up to 0.10 each), Poor Turn Position (usually about 0.1) and Balance Check (usually about 0.1). Judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is.