A Forward Roll is one of the most basic yet important tumbling skills that athletes learn early in their tumble training.
While it may seem simple, the Forward Roll teaches body control, balance, and coordination – skills that are the foundation for more advanced tumbling and stunting.
In All Star Cheerleading, where precision and clean technique are key, even a small skill like the Forward Roll must be performed with confidence and good form.
To understand what a Forward Roll is, picture the body smoothly rolling forward over itself like a wheel.
The motion starts from a standing or squatting position.
The athlete bends their knees, places their hands on the mat shoulder-width apart, and tucks their chin tightly to their chest. This part is very important because it protects the neck and allows the body to roll safely over the shoulders and back, not the head.
As the athlete pushes off with their legs, their back rounds, and the motion continues until they roll onto their feet again, either finishing in a stand or a squat depending on the routine.
Even though it might look easy, a Forward Roll actually involves a lot of technique.
Coaches often remind athletes to keep their bodies tight and rounded – like a ball – so the roll flows smoothly.
If the body is too loose or the chin isn’t tucked properly, the roll can feel clunky or even uncomfortable.
In All Star Cheer, technique is SUPER important, so athletes must keep their arms and legs in clean positions, point their toes, and finish with their chins up and a confident smile.
In competition, Forward Rolls might be seen in younger or lower-level divisions where tumbling progressions are still being developed.
However, Forward Rolls are also used creatively in choreography at higher levels. Coaches may include them in transitions between stunts, as part of dance sections, or as connecting skills in a tumbling pass.
When combined with sharp timing, synchronized movement, and performance energy, even a simple Forward Roll can add visual flow and style to a routine.
Learning the Forward Roll also helps athletes build the strength and awareness they’ll need for more complex skills as the athlete works toward developing handsprings.
Forward Rolls train athletes to understand how their body moves through space, how to distribute their weight, and how to safely absorb impact when rolling on the mat.
These are important safety lessons that carry over into every other part of cheerleading – from tumbling to stunting and even jumps.
Practicing Forward Rolls also helps cheerleaders overcome fear and learn trust in their own movement.
The first few times can feel awkward, especially if the athlete forgets to tuck their chin or loses balance. But with repetition, they gain control and start to move more fluidly.
This kind of progress builds confidence, and that confidence shows up in every other skill they perform.
The Forward Roll may seem like a small part of All Star Cheer, but it’s actually a big deal. It teaches the foundations of safe tumbling, body control, and clean technique.
Whether it’s a beginner learning their first roll or a seasoned athlete using it in a polished routine, the Forward Roll reminds everyone that strong basics are the key to success in cheerleading.
