What is the gymnastics term for transitioning from a handstand into a forward roll?

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The gymnastics term for transitioning from a handstand into a forward roll is a dive roll.

In this movement, the gymnast shifts the body’s weight forward from the inverted handstand position, bends through the shoulders and arms, tucks the chin, and continues into a forward roll. The roll lets the gymnast convert height and forward momentum into a controlled landing.

The term can cause confusion because “dive roll” is also used for a longer skill that begins with a running approach, a takeoff, and a brief flight before the hands contact the floor. In both versions, the defining feature is the transition into a forward roll rather than a somersault or front handspring.

A related skill is the front limber, which also begins in a handstand but passes through a bridge and finishes standing. A dive roll is generally taught as a foundational floor skill, with chin position and rolling over the upper back helping protect the head and neck.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

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