The time it takes for an athlete to achieve a tumbling skill can vary greatly depending on several important factors. Tumbling is not just about repetition—it requires a combination of physical readiness, consistent attendance, mental focus, and proper technique.
To achieve a skill, an athlete must develop:
Strength – to support their body weight through explosive and controlled movements.
Flexibility – to move safely and efficiently through a full range of motion.
Body control – to understand how to engage the right muscles and make precise adjustments in motion.
Consistent attendance – because regular practice builds muscle memory and confidence.
Productivity in class – meaning the athlete is listening to corrections, staying engaged, and making the most of their time.
Some athletes may progress quickly, while others need more time and support. Tumbling follows a progression system, and athletes are only moved forward once they demonstrate consistent control and proper technique in the current skill. Rushing through progressions before an athlete is truly ready increases risk of injury and leads to frustration.
Parents play a key role in encouraging patience, persistence, and positive mindset while trusting the process and the coaches guiding it.

Factors That Help Progress
Factors That Slow Progress
✅ Consistent attendance, enrolled in 2+ classes per week
❌ Inconsistent attendance, gaps in training
✅ Strong focus, productivity and effort in class
❌ Lack of focus, effort, inactive in class
✅ Good listening and applied corrections
❌ Ignoring or resisting feedback
✅ Solid strength and flexibility
❌ Limited strength of proper muscle
✅ Mastering foundational skills first
❌ Rushing ahead without control
✅ Positive attitude and persistence
❌ Negative mindset or giving up easily
✅ Coach-approved extra practice at home
❌ Not reinforcing skills outside class
✅ Managing fear with step-by-step drills and support
❌ Letting fear like going backward or mental blocks go unaddressed

🏆 Pro Tip:
You’ll often see kids really turn a corner after they achieve a skill — that’s the big confidence boost that usually leads straight into achieving other related skills.

✅ Achieving a Skill
The athlete can perform the skill independently with basic control.
The skill is mostly correct and recognizable.
Occasional reminders or light corrections may still be needed.
It’s a sign the athlete understands the technique and can repeat the motion.
In short: The skill is there, but still developing.
🏅 Mastering a Skill
The athlete performs the skill consistently, with clean technique and full control.
No reminders or assistance are needed. The skill looks effortless.
The skill is safe, confident, and routine-ready for choreography or competition.
Execution shows strength, precision, and confidence.
In short: The skill is polished, consistent, and competition-ready. The athlete owns that skill.
What is a new skill?
A new skill is any tumbling move or element that an athlete has not yet mastered or consistently performed with control and proper technique. It goes beyond what they already reliably do in class or practice.

To consider something a new skill, we look for whether the athlete:

Can perform the skill safely without assistance on the floor
Shows basic control and body awareness throughout the skill
Executes the skill with correct technique or is close and improving
Can repeat the skill consistently or is making steady progress toward it
What is a power move?
A mastered skill is one that an athlete can perform consistently with correct technique, strength, body control, and confidence—ready to be included safely in routines or competitions.
Coaches consider a skill mastered when the athlete:
Performs the skill consistently without hesitation
Executes with proper technique every time
Shows strong body control and alignment throughout the skill
Demonstrates confidence and safety, minimizing risk of injury
Can perform the skill in various contexts (e.g., under pressure or in a sequence)
Mastery means the skill is polished and dependable, not just achievable once or twice.

Every skill required at that level is consistent
Strong technique and body control
Athlete shows safe habits and focused behavior
Confidence and readiness to take on new challenges

Fundamental Skills And Average Time It Takes To Achieve The Skill
📊 Skill Timeline Averages: 1 vs. 2 Classes per Week (55 min)
Skill
Avg. w/ 1 Class/Week
Avg. w/ 2 Classes/Week
Forward Roll
2–4 weeks
1–2 weeks
Backward Roll
3–6 weeks
2–4 weeks
Handstand (hold 3+ sec)
2–3 months
1–1.5 months
Cartwheel
2–3 months
1–2 months
Roundoff
3–5 months
2–3 months
Backbend (from standing)
3–6 months
2–4 months

🟣 These timelines assume the athlete has no fear of inversion, average body coordination, and attends classes consistently with proper technique taught and spotted.
🚸 Important Notes:
These skills tend to build on each other, so faster mastery of one = earlier access to the next.
2x per week helps reduce the “re-learning” curve, which is common at these early stages with younger athletes.
Most foundational skills require body awareness, shoulder flexibility, and core strength, which develop faster with increased training frequency per week combined with a conditioning class.
📈 With Two 55-Minute Classes Per Week, Here’s the Average Timeline:
Skill
Average with 1x/week
Average with 2x/week
Backbend
Kick Over
Front Walkover
Back Walkover
3–6 months
1.5–4 months
Standing Back Handspring
6–12 months
4–8 months
Roundoff Back Handspring
6–12 months
4–8 months
Standing Tuck
8–15 months
6–10 months
RO BHS Tuck
8–15 months
6–10 months
RO BHS Layout
6–12 months after tuck
4–8 months
RO BHS Full
9–18 months after layout
6–12 months

Tumbling progress depends on consistency, just like learning an instrument.
Recommended attendance and results:
1x/week: Steady progress
2x/week: Faster improvement
Irregular: Slower development

💡 Why 2x/week Speeds Things Up:
More reps = faster muscle memory
More frequent corrections from coaches
Reduced skill regression between classes
Builds strength & flexibility faster (conditioning gains)
Boosts confidence and fear management through repetition
🚀 Bonus Tip:
If possible, pair one skills-focused class (e.g., tumbling) with one conditioning/stunting or open gym session. That combo builds total athletic readiness and can shorten timelines even more.

Repetition of a skill helps to build muscle memory which is the body’s ability to perform a movement automatically through consistent practice. Tumbling is about progression, not rushing. Mastery takes repetition with purpose.
Skill repetition overtime builds:
Muscle memory so movements become second nature.
Strength and control for safety and consistency.
Proper technique to develop clean, correct patterns.
Flexibility and speed needed to physically do the skill.
Increased confidence, decreased fear of the movement.

A progression system is used in our class program to help athletes build strong, safe, and lasting tumbling skills. This method helps prevent injury, avoids unnecessary frustration, and develops true confidence by ensuring that each athlete has the strength, flexibility, and control needed before moving on. Solid basics lead to long-term success, whereas skipping steps or advancing before a skill is mastered often results in poor technique, fear, or long-term setbacks that are harder to correct.
A skill isn’t ready until it can be done:
Safely
Consistently
Controlled
With Strength + Flexibility

There’s a difference between a one-time attempt and consistent, clean execution. At home an athlete may learn incorrect technique which can take much longer to correct. In class, our educated and certified coaches are looking for control, proper technique, body alignment, safe landings, and the ability to repeat the skill consistently without hesitation or fear. Skills must be performed on proper surfaces, under coach supervision, and in a way that’s safe and ready for progression. Just because a skill is attempted doesn’t mean it’s ready to be repeated safely or added to a tumbling pass.
At Home vs. In Class:
May land it once vs. Must land it consistently
No trained eye for form vs. Trained coaches monitor technique and safety
No mats or spotting vs. Supervised, controlled environment
No requirements vs. specific components needed before moving on

What can we do at home to help?

Supporting your child outside of class is important—but it’s just as important to do it the right way. Focus on encouraging strength, flexibility, and a positive mindset rather than pushing new skills. If you ever have questions or concerns about your child’s progress, the best thing you can do is speak directly with their coach—we’re here to help and happy to update you.

✅ Do
Practice conditioning (core, legs, arms)
Stretch daily (bridges, splits, shoulders)
Celebrate effort over results
Support rest, hydration, and a healthy mindset
Ask your child’s coach for updates or guidance

🚫 Avoid
Tumbling on unsafe surfaces (beds, couches)
Correcting/Spotting your child yourself
Pushing through fear or frustration
Comparing progress to others
Making assumptions without checking in

Strength provides the power needed for takeoffs, helps maintain control during landings, supports overall body stability, and enables the ability to attain correct technique and ease of skill execution. Flexibility allows the body to move through a full range of motion safely, enabling cleaner, more precise shapes. Together, strength and flexibility reduce the risk of injury and help athletes perform skills with better technique and confidence.

Strength supports:
Powerful takeoffs
Controlled landings
Body stability and control
Ability to attain correct technique and ease of skill
Flexibility allows:
Deep range of motion
Cleaner, safer shapes
Skills to come easier, quicker, and more naturally
Reduced risk of injury

Fear is a normal part of learning new tumbling skills, especially when those skills feel challenging or unfamiliar. At our gym, we support athletes by helping them build confidence gradually and safely.

How we help in class:
Use step-by-step progressions to break skills into manageable parts
Provide spotting for safety to reduce fear and prevent injury
Incorporate mental confidence drills to build focus and calm nerves
Help athletes get comfortable with going backward and upside down in a safe environment
Celebrate small wins to encourage motivation and positive reinforcement
What you can do at home:
Use progress-focused phrases like “You’re getting closer!” instead of generic encouragement
Never force your child to attempt a skill before they’re ready
Stay supportive and patient, encouraging effort over outcome
Talk openly about their feelings and remind them that fear is normal and can be overcome
Encourage gentle physical activity like stretching or basic conditioning to build confidence