How To Do A Somersault: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Do a Somersault PDF download Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Doing a Basic Somersault 2 Trying Advanced Variations Other Sections Questions & Answers VideoWATCH NOW Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Monica Morris

Last Updated: November 1, 2025 References

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This article was co-authored by Monica Morris. Monica Morris is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) Certified Personal Trainer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 15 years of fitness training experience, Monica started her own physical training practice and gained her ACE Certification in 2017. Her workouts emphasize proper warm-ups, cool-downs, and stretching techniques. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 393,844 times.

A basic somersault, also known as a forward roll, is a beginner gymnastics skill. Though the somersault is fairly straightforward, it can be used to simulate more challenging skills, such as the front flip, also known as a front somersault. If you want to know how to do a somersault, go to Step 1 to get started.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Doing a Basic Somersault

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  1. Step 1 Find a comfortable floor. 1 Find a comfortable floor.[1] You should use a comfortable mat, a gym floor at your gymnastics school, or a floor with some cushion to do a somersault. If you use a hard surface, such as a wooden floor, then you're more likely to injure your head and neck.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Somersault 2 Stretch well. You should stretch before you perform any gymnastics skill.[2] For the somersault, there are a few key parts of your body that should be stretched well before you begin so you don't sprain a muscle or hurt yourself. Here's what you should do:[3]
    • The pike stretch. Sit down with your legs straight out and reach forward toward your ankles with your arms to get a deep stretch in the back of your thighs and calves, as well as in your back.
    • The ankle roll. Sit down and hold on to the place just above your ankle and roll it a few times in one direction, then the other. Repeat with your other ankle.
    • The wrist stretch. Get on your hands and knees and put down your hands so that your fingers are facing your legs, not away from them. Move back and forth slightly with your palms down, and then flip your hands so that your palms are facing up while your fingers are still pointed toward your feet.
    • The neck stretch. Move your head from left to right and then up and down like you're nodding. Finish the neck stretch by rolling your head clockwise a few times, and then counter-clockwise.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Somersault 3 Stand with a straight body. Stand straight up with your hands reaching up and your arms by your ears. Your palms should be facing out, slightly to each side. Your legs should be close together and there should be a slight arch in your back, with your head facing straight ahead of you. This is a classic beginning stance in gymnastics. If you feel more comfortable starting on the ground, however, you can skip this starting position and move straight to the floor.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Somersault 4 Crouch down. Tuck your legs and place your hands on either side of your feet, facing forward and several inches in front of each foot. Your chest should be resting on your thighs. Round your back and put your head down so that you're looking at your belly button. Remember that your head should never touch the ground in a somersault; holding this position will help keep your head above the ground. You'll actually be landing on your upper back, not on any part of your head.[4]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Somersault 5 Push off through your legs. Lean forward as you push off through your feet and legs and make your hips come up over your head while your hands stay on the ground. Your arms and legs should be straight while still being a little bit bent as you roll forward and land on your back.[5]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Somersault 6 Continue to roll forward. Remember that your head and neck should never touch the ground; as you continue to roll, your upper back will touch the ground first as you roll onto the rest of your back before you come up. As you roll, keep your shoulders straight and even; if one shoulder moves before the other, you could hurt yourself and won't land the somersault in a straight position. No jumping is necessary to do a somersault -- in fact, this could cause injury -- all you need is to roll forward using the momentum generated by your legs.
    • Follow through. Your legs should be tucked as you finish the somersault, and you should land on your feet with your arms straight out in front of you.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Somersault 7 Stand up. To finish the somersault, you should roll onto your feet and use your momentum to stand straight up, with your arms all the way up and your body straight once more.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Trying Advanced Variations

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Somersault 1 Try a handstand somersault. This advanced move is a combination of a handstand and a somersault. Start with your legs spaced shoulder-width apart and your body straight. Do a handstand and pause for a moment while your legs are straight in the air. Keeping your legs together, bend your arms and lower your body toward the ground, then tuck in your chin and do a somersault. Finish in standing position with your hands over your head.[6]
    • Since this move is rather difficult, you might want to try it with a spotter the first few times.
    • Be extra careful to tuck in your chin so that your head doesn't touch the ground at any time.
    • Do partial pull-ups to help build your serratus and intercostal muscles so handstands are easier for you do to.[7]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Somersault 2 Do a somersault kip-up. This move is special because of the landing, which looks similar to a back handspring landing. Do a regular somersault, but instead of simply standing up, jump with both feet into a standing position. You'll need to do a fast somersault to get up enough momentum. Use your hands to help propel your body as you jump, then land on your feet and straighten your body with your arms above your head.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Somersault 3 Do a dive somersault. If you really want to impress your friends, try this impressive variation on the basic somersault. Instead of starting in a fixed position, you run and then dive into the roll. Do a short headfirst dive, as though you were diving over a low log. Land on your hands, tuck in your head and immediately launch into a somersault. Move swiftly to your feet and finish with your body straight and your hands stretched over your head.
    • Don't attempt this move until you've completely mastered the somersault, handstand, front handspring and other advanced moves.
    • Once you get the hang of it, you can start making bigger dives.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question How do I do a backward somersault? Community Answer Community Answer You'll do the reverse of of a somersault. You'll roll onto your back and kick your legs over your head. Be sure to roll your head out from under you while doing this. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 26 Helpful 52
  • Question I did a somersault on my bed, and now I can't tilt my head to the right. What do I do? Community Answer Community Answer If something doesn't feel right, let an adult know and get some medical attention. You've likely just strained something, but a doctor could tell you for sure. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 25 Helpful 60
  • Question What is the backward somersault procedure? Community Answer Community Answer You'll do the reverse of of a somersault. Roll onto your back and kick your legs over your head. Be sure to roll your head out from under you while doing this. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 31 Helpful 27
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Tips

  • Always tuck your chin in so your neck doesn't get injured. Thanks Helpful 143 Not Helpful 26
  • Find a softer surface, like carpet or a mattress instead of harder ones, like wood floors. Doing so can end up with bruised shoulders, which can be painful for up to a good few days. Thanks Helpful 167 Not Helpful 54
  • Wear soft, flexible clothes. Thanks Helpful 120 Not Helpful 45
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Make sure you don't eat or drink too much when doing somersaults. Thanks Helpful 68 Not Helpful 16
  • If you do too many of these you will get sick. You may get sick if not able to deal with tumbling over and over again. This is not recommended for first time somersaulters. Thanks Helpful 59 Not Helpful 20
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oyPoInxuyM
  2. ↑ Monica Morris. ACE Certified Personal Trainer. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZjLSmH0Oew
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oyPoInxuyM
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lNipIKqges
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNk7dmywR2M
  7. ↑ Monica Morris. ACE Certified Personal Trainer. Expert Interview
  8. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVcBObTH6Ss
  9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZjLSmH0Oew

About This Article

Monica Morris Co-authored by: Monica Morris Certified Personal Trainer This article was co-authored by Monica Morris. Monica Morris is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) Certified Personal Trainer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 15 years of fitness training experience, Monica started her own physical training practice and gained her ACE Certification in 2017. Her workouts emphasize proper warm-ups, cool-downs, and stretching techniques. This article has been viewed 393,844 times. 19 votes - 81% Co-authors: 53 Updated: November 1, 2025 Views: 393,844 Categories: Tumbling (Gymnastics) Article SummaryX

The best way to start a somersault is to stand straight with your hands in the air. Then, crouch down so that your chest touches your thighs and place your hands several inches in front of your feet. Tuck your head so that you’re looking at your belly button. In one motion, lean forward and use your legs to push off the ground so that you roll and land on your back. Follow through by placing your feet firmly on the ground and standing back up! For advice on how to stretch to prevent injuries, or tips for more advanced somersaults, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Katherine Garcia

    Katherine Garcia

    Apr 1, 2018

    "I thought doing somersaults would be pretty cool, and this article showed me how to do it step-by-step." Rated this article:
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Monica Morris Co-authored by: Monica Morris Certified Personal Trainer Co-authors: 53 Updated: November 1, 2025 Views: 393,844 81% of readers found this article helpful. 19 votes - 81% Click a star to add your vote Katherine Garcia

Katherine Garcia

Apr 1, 2018

"I thought doing somersaults would be pretty cool, and this article showed me how to do it step-by-step." Rated this article: Sreejith P.

Sreejith P.

Apr 26, 2017

"Nice teaching. It helped me a lot!" Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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