How to spot a cartwheel without hands

This how to video shows how to spot a cartwheel without hands. Actually it is something between butterfly kick and cartwheel without hands, so you can also use it to spot a kids butterfly kick. Only use this spotting technique on somebody who is much lighter than you, because most of his weight will be on your right arm for a short moment.

Dangers: I personally don't like this spotting technique because: a) The student gets used to a slanted cartwheel without hands. That's because at the beginning he does a butterfly kick over your hand. I personally prefer putting the left hand on his neck, so that the cartwheel becomes really really straight. But that's something you need even more timing for and your student should not be afraid of cartwheels without hands at all. b) you have to be careful with your students head. He might hit his head on your left knee.

Whenever somebody asks me about the cartwheel without hands I recommend a wooden springboard and a sandpit. Work on left-handed cartwheels first and plant the left hand as late as possible. This way your cartwheel will become really really straight.

I don't recommend somebody who never did a cartwheel without hands or similar acrobatics to spot a beginner with this spotting technique. You have to know how and when he moves his arms. Timing is very important.

However, this is a spotting technique used in wushu and you can use it to spot a cartwheel without hands if your student can already do a butterfly kick. So if you have a student who urges to learn the cartwheel without hands, you should consider to use this spotting technique (you can make his cartwheel straigher later)

Performed by Lu Peng Cheng and Yang Jia Le from the Song Jiang Wushu School. Coach: Wang Guang Ming (wushu head coach sj-wushu school)