{"id":3912,"date":"2019-05-20T00:40:14","date_gmt":"2019-05-20T00:40:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tumblingcoach.com\/blog\/?p=3912"},"modified":"2025-05-08T14:56:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T14:56:50","slug":"octagon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tumblingcoach.com\/blog\/octagon\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Must-Try Drills With The Octagon Barrel (Tumbling Mats)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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And in my opinion, they are terribly mistaken.<\/p>\n

Now don’t get me wrong, I love the Boulder. In fact, if you look closely at the picture to your right, you’ll see one the background. So clearly, I do believe the Boulder is worth having.<\/p>\n

BUT… if you had to choose just one — like many gyms out there have to do, due to budget constraints — then the Medium or Large Octagon is the way to go.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

And to prove it, I’ve put together 15 of my most useful<\/strong> tumbling drills that you can do with this versatile piece of equipment. I hope\u00a0you find them useful. And if you’re looking to purchase an Octagon of your own, be sure to check out AD Mats<\/a>.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0Not only did they give me a great deal, I was able to talk to a real human on the phone before ordering. Plus, they had really fast shipping times!<\/p>\n

Quick Note:<\/strong> be sure to bookmark this page, as I’ll be updating this list as I find new ways to use the Octagon Barrel<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Disclaimer (Click To Open)” open_toggle_text_color=”#edef7a” open_toggle_background_color=”#310035″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#ff87c7″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#000a44″ icon_color=”#c099e8″ open_icon_color=”#c099e8″ admin_label=”Disclaimer” _builder_version=”4.26.0″ title_level=”h4″ title_font=”|600|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”26px” body_text_color=”#ffe693″ body_line_height=”1.6em” custom_margin=”30px||20px” title_font_size_tablet=”24px” title_font_size_phone=”20px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_horizontal=”4px” box_shadow_vertical=”9px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.12)” global_module=”3674″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Please keep in mind to watch the drill animations for their theory<\/span> and mechanics<\/span>, not<\/strong> execution. Most of my videos are captured during an athlete\u2019s learning phase. Also, please do not<\/strong> perform any drills, prerequisites or progressions unless you\u2019re in the company of a certified coach<\/span> and have their permission to do so. The information on this website is presented purely for entertainment purposes only.<\/span> You<\/strong> are solely liable for any injuries that may occur.<\/p>\n

Basically, don’t be foolish and use common sense.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Table Of Contents (Click To Open)” open_toggle_text_color=”#0040a8″ open_toggle_background_color=”rgba(0,152,229,0.12)” closed_toggle_text_color=”#0040a8″ closed_toggle_background_color=”rgba(15,163,255,0.26)” admin_label=”Contents” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_level=”h4″ title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”24px” body_font=”|600|||||||” body_text_align=”left” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin=”34px||20px” title_font_size_tablet=”” title_font_size_phone=”20px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” body_font_size_tablet=”” body_font_size_phone=”14px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” body_line_height_last_edited=”off|desktop” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#0981ea” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_vertical=”13px” box_shadow_blur=”20px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.17)” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” body_line_height__hover_enabled=”on” body_line_height__hover=”1.4em”]<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Beginner BWO Drill<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Advanced BWO Drill<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Backhandspring Pushback<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Backhandspring Tightness<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Backhandspring Ramp Landing<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Wallpush Backhandspring<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Backhandspring To Front Support<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n
  8. Backhandspring Step Out<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  9. Standing Back Tuck Roll Off<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  10. Safety Dive Roll<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  11. Front Tuck Over<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  12. Front Handspring<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  13. Front Walkover<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  14. Round Off Chest Up<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  15. Handstand Snapdown<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_text admin_label=”1. Beg BWO” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/a><\/p>\n

    \n

    Drill #1: Beginner Backwalkover<\/h3>\n

    One of the reasons I recommend a Medium or Large size Octagon is that it can be modified for any<\/strong> sized individual. In this example, the height of the barrel is a little too large for my athlete, so I simply have her start on an elevated surface.<\/p>\n

    \"roundoff

    Now technically speaking, you could set the Octagon itself on an elevated surface if the athlete is too tall, but that’s a less efficient work around as the mat will never be as stable as it is on the floor.<\/p>\n

    Whenever possible, adjust the height of the athlete, not the mat when it comes to the BWO.
    \n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”2. Adv BWO” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]    <\/a><\/p>\n

    \n

    Drill #2: Advanced Backwalkover<\/h3>\n

    Once an athlete has become comfortable going backwards over the mat and can show you a decent looking BWO on floor, switch them over to the advanced version of the drill, like the one you see below.<\/p>\n

    \"roundoff

    This process has 3 key steps that I want to emphasize (as its how I want my actual Back Walkovers to look during competition)<\/p>\n