description Aerial Side Somersault Overview
An aerial side somersault, sometimes called an aerial cartwheel, is a gymnastic and acrobatic movement involving a sideways rotation performed without hands touching the ground. The performer launches from one leg, rotates laterally through the air, and lands on the opposite leg. The skill appears in gymnastics, martial arts, tricking, and parkour.
help Aerial Side Somersault FAQ
Is an aerial side somersault the same as an aerial cartwheel?
The names are often used for closely related hands-free sideways rotations, although terminology varies among gymnastics, tricking and martial arts. In both cases, the athlete passes laterally through inversion without placing either hand on the floor.
Which leg do you land on after an aerial?
A standard aerial cartwheel uses a split-leg action and normally lands one foot at a time, beginning with the leg that travels through the rotation first. The exact lead and landing leg depend on the athlete's chosen side.
Why do my hands keep touching the floor during an aerial?
Common causes include insufficient drive from the takeoff leg, dropping the chest too early and failing to lift the rear leg aggressively. Coaches often correct these through hurdle, cartwheel and elevated aerial drills.
Where is the aerial side somersault commonly used?
Hands-free lateral aerials appear in floor gymnastics, wushu, capoeira, dance, cheerleading and parkour. Tricking combinations may connect an aerial to moves such as a butterfly kick or back tuck.
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