Somersault

File:Saltovor1b.gif

An animation of a flip in the air

A somersault is an acrobatic move where a person moves the feet over the head whilst in mid-air. The somersault can be done forwards, backwards, or sideways and is similar to a flip (or, if performed backwards, a backflip). A backwards somersault while still moving forward is called a Gainer

The word comes from the old French word sombresault, which is no longer used.

Somersault Media

• Pikefront.JPG

  Front somersault in the pike position

• Lauren Mitchell, 41st AG World Championship, 2009 (full tone blur).jpg

  Back somersault on one foot