To perform a rolling action we need to consider the three axes of rotation:
- Vertical axis
- Transverse axis
- Antero posterior axis
The vertical axis of rotation runs from the top to the bottom of your body. When a gymnast performs a three hundred and sixty degree turn, they're rotating around the vertical axis.
The transverse axis runs from side to side of the body. A somersault is a rotation through the transverse axis.
The antero posterior axis runs from the front to back of your body. When a gymnast performs a cartwheel they have rotated around the antero posterior axis.