Category Archives: Balance Beam Basics

Basic Connected Hops

Posted on April 13, 2011 by American Gymnast
Basic-Connected-HopsBasic-Connected-Hops
This entry is part 1 of 8 in the series: Jumps and Hops

Once the gymnasts are demonstrating some improvement on the basic beam walks they may progress to start training little beam hops. This kind of challenge must be introduced on a low beam first and only practiced on the high beam when the gymnast shows safe and fair consistency.

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Basic One Leg Hops

Posted on April 13, 2011 by American Gymnast
Basic-One-Leg-HopsBasic-One-Leg-Hops
This entry is part 2 of 8 in the series: Jumps and Hops

These kind of hops require a good balance control and must not be attempted by novice gymnasts on a high beam. After the athletes have demonstrated acceptable proficiency on a low beam they can progressively move a skill to a medium beam and later on to a regulation height beam. Any type of basic drill hopping on one single leg should be trained on support feet.

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Connected Tuck Jumps Drill

Posted on April 13, 2011 by American Gymnast
Connected-Jumps-DrillConnected-Jumps-Drill
This entry is part 3 of 8 in the series: Jumps and Hops

Gymnasts at all levels benefit from practicing connected tuck jumps even if they have already mastered them. The jumps can be performed moving forward across the beam like in these examples or connecting several jumps in place without traveling forward, taking off and landing in the same place.

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Basic Connected Hollow and Tigh Arch Jumps

Posted on April 13, 2011 by American Gymnast
Basic-Connected-Hollow-Tight-Arch-JumpsBasic-Connected-Hollow-Tight-Arch-Jumps
This entry is part 4 of 8 in the series: Jumps and Hops

Gymnasts that have mastered straight body jumps moving along the length of the beam can start training this variation where they combine tight arch jumps with hollow shape jumps.

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Little Switch Jumps

Posted on April 13, 2011 by American Gymnast
Little-Switch-JumpsLittle-Switch-Jumps
This entry is part 5 of 8 in the series: Jumps and Hops

These kinds of activities are good challenges to master during warm ups or gymnastics dance periods. During each jump the legs straighten and the feet switch back and forth to end in the same position that the jump began. After several repetitions the gymnasts change the feet position so they can practice the other side.

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Little Switch Jumps Drill

Posted on April 13, 2011 by American Gymnast
Little-Switch-Jumps-DrilLittle-Switch-Jumps-Dril
This entry is part 6 of 8 in the series: Jumps and Hops

The little switch drill is another basic activity to develop jumping confidence on the beam. The feet should be facing forward and not turned in during take off and especially during landings.

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Tuck Jump 1

Posted on April 13, 2011 by American Gymnast
Tuck-Jump-1Tuck-Jump-1
This entry is part 8 of 8 in the series: Jumps and Hops

As on the floor the tuck jump on the beam is described as bringing the knees horizontal or higher at peak height. Taking off and landing is performed with one foot slightly in front of the other. As the gymnasts get better they can kick out after reaching the peak height of the tuck.

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Basic Forward Walks

Posted on January 31, 2011 by American Gymnast
basic-forward-walksbasic-forward-walks
This entry is part 1 of 9 in the series: Basic Walks

As soon as the novice gymnasts can perform regular walks across the beam with a fair level of safe proficiency they can start training different variations to develop posture balance and presentation. Like in this example showing a locked knee with the foot pointing on each step then showing the walk with the arms up on a crown instead of straight out on the sides. It is important to always keep the arms vertical.

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Basic Back Walk

Posted on January 31, 2011 by American Gymnast
basic-back-walksbasic-back-walks
This entry is part 2 of 9 in the series: Basic Walks

As the novice gymnasts improve their balance and confidence training different kinds of walks and other basic skills each of these activities can be refined and upgraded from simple back walks. The athlete must be guided to develop more challenging variations. In this case the legs swing backwards to a tight arch on every step and the gymnasts must focus on keeping the knees locked, the stomach in, and the arms and the body as stable as possible minimizing wobbles and hesitations.

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Basic Side Walks

Posted on January 31, 2011 by American Gymnast
basic-side-walksbasic-side-walks
This entry is part 3 of 9 in the series: Basic Walks

Performing side walks on the balance beam is a good drill for beginner and novice gymnasts that want to improve their balance, posture and presentation.

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