The skill starts at the highest point of the backswing. In the front swing the gymnast should perform a tap at the very bottom. After the tap, the gymnast should direct his/her feet to the desired direction. The turn begins with the toes and the hip. When the gymnast approaches the highest point of the upward swing, they should release their body and finish the 180° turn. Next follows the regrasp of the bar in a hollow position. For all the move, the body is in a hollow position, except during the tap swing.
The skill begins at the top of the backswing (when the front swing starts). The body is in a hollow position. During the bottom of the swing, the gymnast provides the tap swing. They should direct the swing diagonally towards the desired turn direction. The leading part of the turn is the toes. The turn starts from the turn in a hollow position. The turning arm is tight, the wrist is shifting and providing the pressure against the bar. When the turn is completed, the gymnast regrasps the bar with a blocking action in a mixed grip. The turning arm shifts from undergrip to overgrip, and the gymnast is ready for the next skill in front swing. During the execution, the shoulder angle is open, and the head in a neutral position. During all of the skill (except the tap swing), the body of the gymnast is in a hollow position. Shifting the wrist of the turning arm provides the support, which helps to block against the bar. Half turn and half turn hops are basic, “profiled” skills, which helps the gymnast to feel the bar and swing better. It also helps to create experience and knowledge of how to turn in the front swing, which is essential for blind change, quast, ginger and etc.
From a standing position the gymnast pikes and begins the move with a backward roll. Arms are up, tight and close to the head. The head is slightly in. The body is rolling back until the arms lay on the floor and start pushing back. In an upward action, the gymnast initiates the desired turn from the toes and the hip. A critical point is pushing back on the floor with the arms (especially the standing arm). As the gymnast approaches the handstand, they should continue with a strong push from the standing hand. Next, they should release with the hop and during the flight they should complete the half turn, finishing in a handstand.
Mount the cheese mat on top of the additional mats next to the bar. The corner of the mat should be on one horizontal line with the bar. In the up-swing, the gymnast turns in front of the mats. Finish the turn on top of the cheese mat, landing on the belly, in a hollow position. Emphasize on shifting and hopping with the standing arm. With this drill, the gymnast will gain confidence in their ability to switch the wrist in order to push against the bar better. A modification of this drill might be to have a coach spot the gymnast with their hands.
The coach spots the gymnast on the lower bar or on the regular bar. The spotter is needed during the hop action. It helps the gymnast to relax and focus exactly on the hop.
Integral part of gymnastics coaching process are skill drills. They help gymnasts to learn easier and technically correct. With GYM DRILL PRO you will find variety of ideas for the most the basic gymnastics skills. There are plenty of images with skill drill progressions. It is intended to support explicitly the qualified coaches in their daily coaching business. DO NOT practice without the guidance of proper professionals.