What Is a Roundoff in Cheerleading?

Quick answer: a roundoff is a cartwheel-like skill that finishes with both feet landing together, facing back the way the athlete came - used as the standard entry skill that converts forward running momentum into backward tumbling power.

What Does It Look Like?

A roundoff starts like a cartwheel - one hand down, then the other - but instead of landing sideways, the athlete snaps both legs together over the top and lands on both feet at once, facing back in the direction they started, ready to continue tumbling backward.

Who Is Involved?

Tumbling is performed individually, though multiple athletes typically perform their roundoffs together, in unison, at the start of a running tumbling pass.

Where It Fits in a Routine

The roundoff is almost always the opening skill of a running tumbling pass, converting the athlete's forward run into the backward momentum needed for a back handspring or further connected skills.

How the Term Is Used

"Roundoff" refers to this specific hand-then-feet, direction-changing skill; it's often shortened to "RO" in shorthand notation for tumbling passes, such as "RO BHS back tuck."

Related Skills

The roundoff builds directly on the cartwheel and is the standard entry into running tumbling passes, most commonly followed by a back handspring.

Level / Division Context

Under the USASF All Star rules (2026–27), roundoffs are allowed from Level 1, although at that level no tumbling may immediately follow a roundoff. Connecting a roundoff into a back handspring is first allowed at Level 2.

What Judges Look For Conceptually

Judges are generally looking for a strong, controlled block off the hands, straight body lines, and a clean, powerful transition into whatever skill follows.