This study presents a description of the mechanics of forming dough pieces into cylindrical (cylinder-like) shapes. Based on the configuration of forming, the movement of the formed piece and its surface deformations were described. Kinematic relationships concerning the dough piece material as a rheological fluid were formulated. Next, the relationships coupling the kinematic quantities present with both descriptions were determined. The components of the deformation rate tensor, presented in the assumed forming configuration (cylindrical coordinate system), describe the velocity distribution on the surface of dough piece being formed and deformed. The determined kinematic quantities and their interrelations may be used to describe the process of forming dough pieces into cylindrical shapes.