Abstract

The somersault is a basic joining element in most of the acrobatic series in artistic gymnastics, so, a technician, as well as knowing modern techniques and bearing in mind the evolution that this can undergo, must know the key points to be able to teach it, and act on the mistakes that he sees. After revising the relevant bibliography, we notice that the data as well as being scarce, disagrees in some aspect with each other, which has induced us to propose this study and in this way be able to show some orientation for the learning and carrying out of the movement. Our work will be based on the first phase of the somersault, the off balance part and the momentum, the phase that will determine the carrying out of the action. We shall closely follow the CDG as well as the body parts (hand, head…) we shall observe and compare their trajectories with reference to the most efficient technique. We shall study the incidence of the angles that exist between the parts of the upper trunk, on the position of CDG and how this will influence the angle of take-off in the first flight, as well as being able to obtain different data on the filming of the action. What we pretend, with the methodology used in the study is the greatest possible simplicity so that this type of analysis can be a usable tool for all trainers with a minimum of biomechanical knowledge.