Tag Archives: cheer tumbling set technique

The Root Cause of Kick Full Overrotation

When an athlete goes from a standing kick full to a roundoff–back handspring–kick full, the entry changes everything:

• Extra power and momentum: The roundoff + handspring produces more height and rotational energy than a standing kick, making the twist easier to over-rotate.
• Delayed kickdown: Without snapping the legs down early enough, the layout rotation continues too long before the twist is complete.
• Chest position at set: A chest that’s too open (arched) at takeoff almost always leads to excess flip rotation.

Why Roundoff Entries Make It Worse

1. Stronger rebound: Roundoff + handspring creates more lift, giving more airtime and faster twisting.
2. Different body position: From standing, athletes naturally kick legs under. From roundoff, snapdown is less pronounced, leaving the layout overextended.
3. Overcompensation: Athletes pushing harder for doubles often throw the layout too aggressively before twisting.

Kick Full Correction Drill Plan for Coaches

This progression gives athletes a clear path to stop overrotating kick fulls. Don’t move forward until the athlete can hit clean, controlled landings consistently.

Step 1: Re-Establish Hollow Control

Purpose: Break the arch habit that fuels overrotation.

Drills:

• Hollow Holds (4 x 30s)
• Hollow Jumps on Tramp
• Layout Snapdowns with Stick Landings

Cues: “Flat back, no arch.” | “Snap feet under faster.”

Step 2: Layout Control Before Twist

Purpose: Build a consistent layout base.

Drills:

• Roundoff–Back Handspring–Layout Stick
• Standing Kick Layouts (snapdown timing)
• Layout Rebounds (no backward roll)

Cues: “Land like it’s the end of a pass.” | “Stop the flip early.”

Step 3: Controlled Fulls With Snapdowns

Purpose: Add twist without letting layout rotation dominate.

Drills:

• Standing Kick Fulls to Layout Finish
• Roundoff–Kick Full to Soft Mat Stick
• Half-Twist (Arabian) Snapdown Drills

Cues: “Kick under before twisting.” | “Finish twist with chest, not back.”

Step 4: Roundoff Entry Control Work

Purpose: Adapt to extra power from roundoff entries.

Drills:

• Roundoff–Kick Full to Stick
• Roundoff–Kick Full to Layout Drill
• Roundoff–Back Handspring–Layout to Mats

Cues: “Set high, don’t throw back.” | “Twist later than you think.”

Step 5: Progression Toward Doubles

Purpose: Control the single full first, then move into doubles safely.

Drills:

• Two Perfect Kick Fulls Rule (hit 2 in a row clean)
• Kick Full + Layout Combo
• Doubles Into Pit (focus on snapdown)

Cues: “Master the single before chasing doubles.” | “Your full is your foundation.”