Gymnastics is
learning a new language.
From kips to grips, hip circles to giants, handsprings to aerials, we’ll explain it all.
Starting in the sport of gymnastics means learning a new language. From skill names to terms used for levels, leagues and programs - if you’re new to gymnastics it can be a lot to learn. We’ll walk you through the vocabulary you need to know to understand “gym talk”.
A
age group
At meets, athletes of a specific level are broken down into age groups so they're competing against a smaller group of athletes closer (relatively speaking) to their own age. Your gymnast may still have to compete against athletes much younger or older if there are not many gymnasts in a specific level. Age groups are just all the gymnasts in a level, sorted by age, and then split into (somewhat) equal groups. The girls in that age group (ex: Level 2, age group Junior A) would only compete against other girls in their age group for awards. This makes scoring and competition among the gymnasts more fair.
All Around (AA)
The All Around score is computed by adding up the event scores for a specific athlete. Adding their vault, bars, beam and floor score would give you an AA of up to 40.00 points. Awards are presented for the top All Around finishers in the session in each age group.
arabesque
skill where gymnast stands upright on one straight leg and holds fee leg in a straight position out behind the gymnast, at least 45º above the floor or beam; the hip is allowed to turn out slightly (unsquare) in arabesque to show “turn-out”
awards
At a meet, after the competition the athletes from that session come together and awards are distributed to the top athletes in each age division (usually 50% award distribution or greater)
B
back hip circle
skill on bars where gymnast starts in front support and after a cast for momentum, drops backward around the bar to return to front support
bars
one of four events in WAG in which athletes perform skills on uneven parallel bars (the official name of the event)
beam
one of four events in WAG in which athletes perform skills on a padded (and possibly sprung) balance beam (official name: balance beam)
C
candlestick
balance position high on the back of the shoulders with the hips open and body extended, with feet pointing up
cast
the swinging movement away from the bars that finishes in clear support on the hands only
chassé
dance movement where you step and push off from one foot while the free foot closes directly behind the lead foot and landing on the opposite foot; can be forward, side or backward chassé
clear stride support
on bars when the body is supported just by the hands and one leg is on either side of the bar (one forward, one backward)
COP: Code of Points
The official Xcel COP and DP COP are detailed lists of Value Parts and their specific requirements to count for VP credit for DP Optionals and all Xcel levels. The Xcel COP and DP COP are two different books, and they are not interchangeable! Note: the DP COP does not include Levels 1 to 5 (Developmental and Compulsories) routines - those standards are detailed in the DP Compulsory Book.
compulsories
In DP Levels 4 and 5 are considered Compulsory, meaning gymnasts must achieve a specific score to achieve mobility to the next level, and must perform a specifically choreographed routine for each event.
contractions
In DP Levels 4 and 5 are considered Compulsory, meaning gymnasts must achieve a specific score to achieve mobility to the next level, and must perform a specifically choreographed routine for each event.
counterswing
a backward swing on bars, part of the Level 4 & 5 bar dismounts
coupé
dance position with leg bent and tow pointed on or behind the ankle
crown
describes position of arms curved forming a circle above the head with fingertips a few inches apart, while shoulders are pressed down maintaining good torso alignment
D
deduction
a deduction (or penalty) is taken when an athlete performs a skill to less than the desired technical or artistic specifications, or if the team or gymnast incurs a penalty
demi-plié
dance term describing slight flexion of the knees (used in all five positions of feet)
DP: Development Program
One of two programs of competition for Women’s Artistic Gymnastics within USA Gymnastics, previously known as Junior Olympic (JO). DP includes Levels 1 to 10.
developmental
In DP Levels 1 to 3 are considered "developmental" and may be used as non-competitive achievement levels, or as competition levels. Gymnasts must achieve 75% proficiency of skills at a level before moving to the next level. Proficiency can be shown in the gym and levels 1 to 3 have no required mobility score.
dismount
last skill in a routine
dynamic
the quality of moving with strength and speed by applying a high level of effort
E
Elite
Elite is the highest level of competition in Women's Artistic Gymnastics. Elite has two age divisions, Junior for 11 to 15 year olds and Senior for ages 16 plus. The Elite Program provides competition opportunities for athletes wanting to make the National Teams (Junior or Senior). The National Teams represent the United States at international competitions.
F
flic-flac
another (very obscure) name for a back handspring; used by USAG in COP to describe the back handspring skill
flight
flight as a term used to describe a skill (flight skill) means a skill during which the gymnast is not supported by hands or body on the apparatus
flight A/B
During some formats of meets, athletes competing in a session are split into two Flights to speed competition on two sets of warmup and/or competition apparatus. While athletes on the Flight A are competing, athletes on Flight B are warming up on the B set of equipment. Often, the judges will move from apparatus A to apparatus B to judge the different flights.
floor
one of four events in WAG in which athletes perform skills on a padded spring floor to music (official name: floor exercise)
flyaway
long swing to salto (flip) dismount from uneven bars
front support
on bars or beam when the body is balanced on the hands, with thighs resting against the apparatus (but not being used for support)
glide
on the low bar, a forward swing in which the body extends at its most forward point
gymnast gifts
at some meets registered competing gymnasts are given a gift representing the meet; gymnast gifts may range from a notebook to record scores, to a commemorative leotard or shirt
H
hold
refers to the length of time a skill is sustained - generally one to two seconds required depending upon the level
hop
dance vertical flight skill taking off from one foot and landing on the same foot
HOPES
HOPES provides athletes ages 10 to 14 with an opportunity to compete the traditional Elite compulsory and a modified FIG Optional routine and includes an opportunity to qualify to the Challenge (HOPES division only). HOPES is basically a 'pre' pre-Elite program. Although they compete at the same events as Elites, HOPES athletes are not considered "Elite" athletes. This year HOPES was split into 11/12 and 13/14 age groups.
hurdle
the movement of a skip/hop/hurdle used to generate momentum going into a flight skill; in Compulsories there are three acceptable hurdling techniques
L
layout
body position with trunk, hips, legs and feet completely extended
leap
forward and upward dance flight skill from an overextended step, takeoff from one foot, legs split evenly in the air, and land on the opposite foot
lever
a skill in the 2013-2021 Level 2 beam routine: arms stretched overhead creating straight line from fingers to toes, back leg is lifted while the body pivots at the hip to lean down and touch the beam - keeping body straight as a unit and arms by ears
levering
from a lunge, arms stretched overhead creating straight line from fingers to toes, back leg is lifted while the body pivots at the hip to lean down to the beam - keeping body straight as a unit and arms by ears; the levering action should happen going into and out of handstand skills
lock stand
dance position with one foot in front of the other and both heels lifted to stand on high toe in relevé, feet are as close as possible for that individual gymnast
M
mark
In some routines athletes are expected to mark a skill - or show the position clearly; there is no exact time defined for a mark, but it is generally referred to as about 1/2 a second
meet
gymnastics competition that may be sanctioned or not
mobility
Moving up a level. For some levels in both DP and Xcel gymnasts must achieve a mobility score at a sanctioned competition to move to the next level. Mobility scores can change each year.
mount
the movement to get on the apparatus at the beginning of a routine (beam and bars)
O
Olympic order
At meets athletes rotate through the four events in Olympic order - Vault, Bars, Beam and then Floor. When gymnasts start in the middle of the rotation, they just continue through the list and then restart the list from the beginning. So if they begin on Beam, they would move to floor next, and then vault and end on bars.
optionals
In gymnastics, Optionals refers to when a routine’s Start Value is based on Special Requirements instead of performing a specific routine (as in DP Levels 1 to 5). For Optionals routines, gymnasts must include those four Special Requirements in their routine, but may choose the skills to meet those requirements. In the case of floor, they can choose their music.
In Xcel, all levels are optionals, while in DP levels 6 through 10 are optionals.
P
pause
refers to length of time movement or skill is maintained; in Compulsory routines, a pause is generally defined as half a second
pause
refers to length of time a gymnast stops movement on beam or bars; pauses of 2 seconds or more can incur a deduction
pike
hips are flexed to 90º or more and the legs are straight; in pike jumps, chest should be up
pivot turn
turning 180º standing on high toes relevé with feet generally as close as possible for that gymnast
plié
dance term describing the bending of the knees
professional coach
a professional gymnastics coach has completed educational requirements including safety training, concussion prevention, abuse prevention, and positive coaching practices, combined with professional certification and verified background checks
R
relevé
dance term describing standing on high toes or the ball of the foot with the heel high in the air
rhythm
speed or temp at which a skill/dance step is performed
rond de jambe
leg moving forward or backward, with leg turned outward, while leg moves in a semi-circle in the air
rotate (at a meet)
during a meet the athletes move (rotate) through the four events and each time they move to a new event is a "rotation"; athletes rotate through the four events in Olympic order - Vault, Bars, Beam and then Floor. When gymnasts start in the middle of the rotation, they just continue through the list and then restart the list from the beginning. So if they begin on Beam, they would move to floor next, and then vault and end on bars.
Rules & Policies (R&P)
The Rules and Policies dictate everything from how meets are run, to how ties are broken, to everything in between. It covers ethical standards, apparatus requirements, memberships, sanctions, meet director certifications, meet officials, and Xcel and DP competitions including meet formats down to the number of athletes per session and competition procedures!
S
scale
from one foot the trunk leans forward while the free leg is turned out and lifted behind to a minimum of horizontal (90º)
scale
from one foot the trunk leans forward while the free leg is turned out and lifted behind to a minimum of horizontal (90º)
sissonné
dance jump from two feet onto one foot, with the front leg a minimum of 45º from the floor and the back leg higher
Special Requirement (SR)
Special Requirements are rules that must be met in order to have a 10.00 Starting Value (SV). The SRs change for each level and each event, getting more difficult in each higher level. All Xcel levels and DP Optionals levels have SRs. Each missing Special Requirement will deduct 0.50 points from the Starting Value (SV).
Starting Value (SV)
In DP Levels 1 to 5 all gymnasts start with a 10.0 start value. In other levels (DP Optionals and all Xcel levels) athletes must meet four Special Requirements (and any VP requirements) to start with a 10.00 value.
stick
landing showing no movement of feet (except to slide heels together)
straddle
body position with legs extended sideways and turned out with hips extended (not piked)
straddle pike
body position with legs extended sideways and turned out with hips piked 45º to 90º
straight hollow shape
body shape with body in a straight line position with hips flat, ribs down, chest in and bum tight
stretch
trunk, hips, legs and feet completely extended
TOPS
Talent Opportunity Program: The TOPS program is exactly what it sounds like - a Talent Opportunity Program. It helps identify potentially talented gymnasts at a young age. Athletes must be between the ages of 7 and 10 (age determined by 12/31 of the year of testing). TOPS testing comprised of two tests - physical abilities and Skill testing. The top athletes (ages 8 to 10 only) are offered spots at the National TOPS Team Training Camp. TOPS athletes are not considered "Elite" athletes.
tuck
leg position with knees and hip bent at least 90º toward the chest
turnout
leg rotates laterally outward in the hip socket
twist
turning the upper trunk around the longitudinal axis
U
undergrip
grip on bars where hands are placed on top of bar with fingers under the bar and palms facing forward and upward
V
v-sit
sitting in pike position while leaning backward with legs extended upward and hands either supporting behind the hip (or out to the side) or not providing support in the air
Value Part (VP)
A Value Part (VP) is a skill scored according to a set of technical specifications. Value Parts are assigned a difficulty letter (A, B, C, etc) in the Code of Points. In some Xcel and Optionals levels there are a specific number of VPs that must be included in a routine.
vault
one of four events in WAG in which athletes run toward the vaulting table (or mats in lower levels) and hurdle themselves over the table/mats to land on their feet (usually). Higher level vaults include twisting and flipping over the vault. (official name: vault)
W
WAG
Women's Artistic Gymnastics
X
Xcel
One of the programs of competition for Women’s Artistic Gymnastics within USA Gymnastics; designed as an alternative competitive program offering individual flexibility to coaches and gymnasts through optionals routines. Xcel levels are Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond.