Gymnastics Terms Glossary

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GLOSSARY OF GYMNASTICS TERMS
Here is a glossary of common gymnastics terms. There are definitions and descriptions of gymnastics skills
(https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-skills/) and terms. I will constantly be adding to this list over time. Feel free
to email me if there is a term you think should be added to the list.
AAU Gymnastics
Gymnastics: AAU Gymnastics is a gymnastics league, separate from the USA Gymnastics league. While
traditionally most gymnastics in the US has been through the USA gymnastics league, AAU gymnastics has been
gaining in popularity in recent years. Learn more about AAU gymnastics here (https://gymnasticshq.com/what-is-
aau-gymnastics/). This website focuses on the USA gymnastics league if the AAU league is not specified. AAU
gymnastics typically has kinder scoring and is less intense.
Acrobatic Gymnastics
Gymnastics: Acrobatic gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics that focuses on tumbling and using
each other’s bodies to perform skills. There are five events in acrobatic gymnastics: women’s pair, men’s pair, mixed
pair, women’s group (of 3 gymnasts) and men’s group (of 4 gymnasts). This sport reminds me of what you would
see in a Cirque du Soleil show. Different types of athletes are needed in this discipline-smaller athletes to perform
skills on top of the stronger, taller athletes which are used as bases. Acrobatic gymnastics is governed by USA
gymnastics in the US and by the FIG (Federation Internationale de Gymnastique) internationally. Learn about the
different gymnastics disciplines here (https://gymnasticshq.com/artistic-rhythmic-trampoline-tumbling-a-
breakdown-of-gymnastic-classes/).
Acro Series
Series: A combination of acro elements (tumbling skills) performed on floor or beam.
Aerial Cartwheel
Cartwheel: A gymnastics skill that is a cartwheel (https://gymnasticshq.com/how-to-do-a-cartwheel/)
with no hands. Learn how to do an aerial cartwheel (https://gymnasticshq.com/how-to-do-an-aerial-cartwheel/).
All-Around
All-Around: The term used to describe the scores of all four events (Vault, Bars, Beam and Floor) added together.
In the case of the Olympics, not all gymnasts compete all events. The All-Around competition is the event in which
they do compete all four events.
Artistic Gymnastics
Gymnastics: Artistic gymnastics is the most common gymnastics discipline and a very popular summer
Olympic sport. It’s also the discipline that is discussed on this website. The women’s events are Vault, Uneven Bars,
Balance Beam and Floor Exercise. Artistic gymnastics is governed by USA gymnastics in the US and by the FIG
(Federation Internationale de Gymnastique) internationally. Learn the difference between the different gymnastics
disciplines (https://gymnasticshq.com/artistic-rhythmic-trampoline-tumbling-a-breakdown-of-gymnastic-classes/)
here.
Artistry: The term gymnastics judges

(https://gymnasticshq.com/how-to-become-a- (http://amzn.to/29Eg1bq)
gymnastics-judge/) use to describe the overall visual A floor balance beam, like this Pink Suede beam from
appeal of the gymnastics routine and how the The Beam Store, is a popular piece of gymnastics
gymnast performed it. equipment for the home.
Balance Beam
Beam: The Balance Beam, or simply
“Beam” is one of the four gymnastics events. Regulation balance beams are 4.07 feet tall, 16 feet long and 10
centimeters (or approximately 4 inches) wide. A low beam or floor beam is a popular piece of home gymnastics
equipment (https://gymnasticshq.com/home-gymnastics-equipment/).
Back handspring
handspring: A basic floor skill, and also one of the most coveted, elusive skills for beginner gymnasts. Here
are tips on how to learn a back handspring (https://gymnasticshq.com/backhandspring/).
Bonus
Bonus: In levels 9 (https://gymnasticshq.com/level-9-gymnastics-requirements/) and 10
(https://gymnasticshq.com/level-10-gymnastics-requirements/) gymnastics routines do not automatically have a
10.0 start value. Gymnasts can perform connections that earn them the extra tenths to start closer to a 10.0. These
connections are called “bonus.” You can learn more about gymnastics scoring
(https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-scoring/) with this 10 minute guide.
Bridge
Bridge: A bridge is one of the most basic skills or shapes (https://gymnasticshq.com/the-basic-shapes-in-
gymnastics/) in gymnastics. To do a bridge, the gymnast lies flat on the floor, and then pushes up so that she is
supported by her hands and feet. It’s easier to understand by looking at the picture.
Cartwheel
Cartwheel: One of the most basic floor skills. Learn how to do a cartwheel (https://gymnasticshq.com/how-to-do-
a-cartwheel/).
Cast
Cast: A cast is a basic skill, movement on bars. It’s when the gymnast moves her hips away from and then back to
the bars. In more advanced gymnastics levels (https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-levels/), being able to do a cast
to a certain angle becomes a requirement.
Capitol Cup Format

Format: Capitol Cup format is a gymnastics meet format (https://gymnasticshq.com/parents-
guide-to-gymnastics-meets/) where gymnasts warm-up an event and then compete that same event immediately
following. Capitol Cup format requires a venue with two gyms — a warm-up gym and a competition gym. Instead
of 4 groups of gymnast each assigned to a starting event like in traditional format, there are 2 groups of gymnasts
assigned to each event: Flight A and Flight B. This way one set of gymnasts (Flight A) can be warming up in the
warm-up gym while the other gymnasts (Flight B) are competing that event in the competition gym. More gymnasts
can compete in a session with this format and the judges’ time is maximized. Also, it’s a benefit to the gymnast to
have a complete warm-up and then compete that same event. Gymnasts are allowed a “touch” — a short warm-up
time on the actual competition equipment before competing.
(https://gymnasticshq.com/skill-checklists-drag)
Cat Leap
Leap: A cat leap is a leap where your legs are in the “cat” position. Your knees are bent and your thighs come
up to horizontal with a 90 degree hip angle. A cat leap is an “A” skill on both Floor and Beam. A cat leap full turn is
a “B” on Floor, and a cat leap half is a “B” on Beam.
Chalk
Chalk: Chalk (http://amzn.to/28Q6GwQ) is used on grips or bare hands on bars to keep the gymnast’s hands
from slipping off the bars.
Choreography
Choreography: Term for how the routine is composed; the dance elements, steps and movements that make up
the routine.
Circling Element
Element: Gymnastics judges term for any bar skill that goes around the bar, like a free hip.
Club Gymnastics: The term “Club Gymnastics” typically refers to gymnastics competed in college as a member
of the National Association of Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs or NAIGC (http://www.naigc.net/). Some
colleges have a gymnastics team that competes along side other competitive sports teams in that college’s athletic
conference along with a club team. The club team is typically less advanced gymnastics. They compete modified
level 9 rules.
Composition Errors: The term used when the gymnast receives deductions related to how the routine was put
together, or “composed.” It’s something that is considered in the gymnastics scoring
(https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-scoring/) process.
Compulsory Gymnastics
Gymnastics: Compulsory gymnastics are the levels where gymnasts perform specific routines that
the gymnasts must learn exactly. These are gymnastics levels (https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-levels/) 1-6.
USA gymnastics created the routines with the goal that the gymnasts have a strong gymnastics foundation before
advancing to the optional levels. Learn the difference between compulsory and optional gymnastics here
(https://gymnasticshq.com/whats-the-difference-between-compulsory-and-optional-gymnastics/).
Connection Value: In some levels of competition, including Optional Levels
(https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-levels/) and FIG, gymnasts receive additional points for connecting two
elements together.
Dance Passage or Dance SeriesSeries: A dance passage or dance series is a combination of two or more dance elements
performed on the Floor Exercise or the Balance Beam. This could be a leap with a jump, a leap with a leap, or a jump
with a jump. For example — a switch leap (https://gymnasticshq.com/how-to-do-a-switch-leap/) connected to a
straddle jump, a switch leap connected to a cat leap, or a straddle jump connected to a tuck jump.
Dance-Through
Dance-Through: Doing a “dance-through” means to perform your beam or floor routine with just the dance
elements, without the tumbling skills.
Deductions
Deductions: The term used in gymnastics to take away from a gymnast’s score for errors.
Difficulty Score or The D-Score: In international competition based on the FIG Code of Points, there are two
components of a gymnasts final score. Two panels of judges score each routine and the final score is the combined
total of these two scores. The two components are the Difficulty Score or the D-Score and the Execution Score or
the E-score. The D-Score evaluates the routine based on the skills performed and their difficulty level. This includes
the Difficulty Value (DV), the Composition Requirements (CR) and the Connection Value (CV). The D-Score is
open-ended.
Dismount: Dismounts are the skill used to get off an apparatus. Gymnasts dismount from the Balance Beam and
the Uneven Bars.
Dynamics
Dynamics: The term gymnastics judges use to describe the overall power and amplitude of the gymnastics routine.
It’s something that is considered when judges come up with the gymnastics score
(https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-scoring/).
Element: An element is any single move in a routine that has a value. Also called a gymnastics skill
(https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-skills/).
Elite
Elite: The gymnastics “pro” level that a gymnast advances to either after level 10 (https://gymnasticshq.com/level-
10-gymnastics-requirements/) or from the TOPS program (https://gymnasticshq.com/tops-gymnastics-program/).
Execution Score or E-Score

E-Score: In International competition based on the FIG Code of Points, there are two
components of a gymnasts final score. Two panels of judges score each routine and the final score is the combined
total of these two scores. The two components are the Difficulty Score or the D-Score and the Execution Score or
the E-score. The E-Score evaluates the execution and artistry of the routine. The E-Score comes from a a 10.0.
Judges take away from a 10.0 based on execution errors.
Federation Internationale de Gymnastique or FIG FIG: The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique is

commonly abbreviated FIG. FIG (http://www.fedintgym.com/site/) is the international sports governing body for
gymnastics. FIG publishes the FIG Code of Points, which is the rule book used for scoring international
competitions, including the Olympics. USA Gymnastics publishes a code of points which we use in the U.S. as our
rule book for Optional Levels of gymnastics.
Flic Flac
Flac: A flic flac is another term for a back handspring (https://gymnasticshq.com/backhandspring/).
Floor Exercise
Exercise: Floor Exercise, or simply “Floor,” is one of the four gymnastics events. It is sometimes abbreviated
“FX.” Most competitive floors are spring floors made of foam and plywood to make the floor bouncy. Competitive
floors measure 39 feet by 39 feet. Here is more information on the Floor Exercise
(https://gymnasticshq.com/understanding-floor/).
Flyaway
Flyaway: A dismount off bars where the gymnast swings and flips off. As a gymnast advances she learns more
difficult flyaways with twists or multiple flips.
Grips: Grips are leather strips worn on your hands during bar workouts to protect your hands from rips. A grip is
basically a piece of leather material that covers the palm of the hand and is attached at the wrist with velcro and
secured on the fingers with holes. Here is more information on the importance of grips and a guide to buying grips
online (https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-grips/). You can take this quiz to find the best grips for you
(https://gymnasticshq.com/quiz-the-best-gymnastics-grips-for-you-are/).
Gymnastics Meets: Meets are gymnastics competitions. Different teams get

together and compete — they are to gymnastics what games are to football or (http://amzn.to/29EuZy4)
soccer. Here is a parent’s guide to gymnastics meets This is My Handstand Shirt
(https://gymnasticshq.com/parents-guide-to-gymnastics-meets/).
Handstand
Handstand: One of the basic skills in gymnastics (https://gymnasticshq.com/9-basic-gymnastics-skills-you-
should-master/), and some version of it shows up on each of the four events. Learn how to do a handstand
(https://gymnasticshq.com/how-to-do-a-handstand/).
Illegal Skills
Skills: Skills that you are not allowed to perform at that gymnastics level
(https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-levels/). A judge makes sure a gymnast hasn’t done any in her routine
during the gymnastics scoring (https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-scoring/) process.
Inquiry: A procedure initiated by the gymnast’s coach to contest the gymnast’s score in some way. The judges
review the inquiry and determine if a mistake was made.
Junior
Junior: An elite-level gymnast that competes at the international level but does not meet the age requirements for
the Olympics.
Junior Olympic or JO Program

Program: The USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Program, or as it is often abbreviated,
JO Program is the set of gymnastics rules and levels listed here (https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-levels/).
Kip
Kip: A bar mount that is oftentimes a struggle to learn because it requires lots of upper body strength. Here’s how
to do a kip (https://gymnasticshq.com/how-to-do-a-kip/) with drills and exercises to help you learn.
Layout
Layout: Gymnastics salto, or flip, in the completely stretched
position. (https://www.gymnasticshqshop.com/collections/leota
bomb-gymnastics-leotard-by-foxys)
Our Very Popular Bath Bomb Leotard
Leotard
Leotard: Leotards are the standard outfit worn by gymnasts,
most gymnasts in the gym wear them. Learn where to buy
leotards online (https://gymnasticshq.com/where-to-buy-
gymnastics-leotards-online/).
Mental Block
Block: A situation where a gymnast is struggling to get over her fear in order to do a skill. Here is a mental
workout (https://gymnasticshq.com/the-mental-workout/) to help with mental blocks and fear.
Mobility Meet
Meet: A mobility meet is a meet with the express purpose of getting the gymnasts to mobilize to the next
level by earning the mobility scores they need.
Mobility Score
Score: Mobility score is the all-around score needed to advance to the next gymnastics level.
Modified Capitol Cup: Modified Capitol Cup format is a gymnastics meet format where there are two sets of
equipment in the competition gym. It’s Capital Cup format without the warm-up gym. So Flight A will warm-up
on one set of equipment and then compete on another set immediately following. While they compete, Flight B is
warming up that same event. Modified Capital Cup is good for the gymnast because there is less time between
warming up and competing, and it’s good for the gym because more gymnasts can compete per session.
Mom & Tots Class (or Parents & Tots Class) Class): Mom & Tots or Parents & Tots classes are many times the first
gymnastics class offering for your child. These classes are for young kids before preschool.
Mount: A mount is the skill used to get on the apparatus. Mounts are needed for Balance Beam and Uneven Bars.
Neutral Deductions
Deductions: The term gymnastics judges (https://gymnasticshq.com/how-to-become-a-gymnastics-
judge/) use to describe deductions or errors that have nothing to do with how the gymnast performed the routine.
They are a penalty for a violation of a rule that is separate from how a routine is performed, like for not having
correct competition attire.
Optional Gymnastics
Gymnastics: Optional gymnastics is when everyone does different routines. This is done in gymnastics
levels 7-10. Learn more about the difference between compulsory and optional gymnastics here
(https://gymnasticshq.com/whats-the-difference-between-compulsory-and-optional-gymnastics/).
Panel Mat
Mat: One of the most popular pieces of home gymnastics equipment (https://gymnasticshq.com/home-
gymnastics-equipment/). Named because of the “panels” that make the mat easily fold-able.
Pike: Pike is one of the basic gymnastics positions (https://gymnasticshq.com/the-basic-shapes-in-gymnastics/). In

a pike position your legs are brought up to hip level while straight with your knees touching each other and your
toes pointed. Pike jumps are done on floor and beam. Flips are done in a pike position and are called either a “front
pike,” a front flip in a pike position, or a “back pike,” a back flip in a pike position.
Popa: Straddle jump with a 1/1 turn.

(http://amzn.to/29DgGe4)
Pre-Wrap
Pre-Wrap: The gauzy material that goes under Colorful Pre-Wrap
athletic tape to prevent you from the pain of having
to rip out all of your arm hair when removing the
tape.
Press Handstand
Handstand: A press handstand is a skill where the gymnast starts from a seated position, and by moving her
weight forwards on her hands, she pushes into a handstand. Learn how to do a press handstand
(https://gymnasticshq.com/how-to-do-a-press-handstand/).
Relevé
Relevé– The position when you are standing on your toes with your feet extended.
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Gymnastics: Rhythmic gymnastics
(https://gymnasticshq.com/artistic-rhythmic-trampoline- (https://gymnasticshq.com/ript)
tumbling-a-breakdown-of-gymnastic-classes/) is a discipline of
gymnastics that combines tumbling and dance. There are six Ript Skin Systems can help heal your hands
events — rope, club, hoop, ball, ribbon and free. Gymnasts after a rip and help you prevent them in the
combine ballet and dance moves in routines choreographed to first place.
music while manipulating the apparatus. Both individuals and
partners compete. This can be a great choice for a child that likes
both dance and tumbling. But, it can be hard to find a gym that teaches rhythmic gymnastics.
Rhythmic gymnastics is governed by USA gymnastics in the US and by the FIG (Federation Internationale de
Gymnastique) internationally.
Rips
Rips: Rips are friction injuries from the bars where the outer layers of skin rip or tear away from the hand. Grips
(https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-grips/) can be used to help prevent rips. Learn the best strategies to prevent
rips and what to do once you have one in my Guide to Gymnastics Rips: Prevention & Care
(https://gymnasticshq.com/guide-to-gymnastics-rips-prevention-care/).
Salto
Salto: A salto is the official name for any type of “flip” in the air.
Salute
Salute: In gymnastics the term “saluting” or “presenting” to the judge is when the gymnast raises both hands in the
air and looks at the judge in acknowledgement. This is done after the judge has “saluted” the gymnast by raising one
arm. This shows the gymnast that the judge is ready.
Scale
Scale: In gymnastics, the term scale refers to a move where you stand on one leg and hold the other off the ground.
Senior: An elite-level gymnast that meets the age requirement for the Olympics.
Skill
Skill: A gymnastics skill (https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-skills/) is a single move. The recognized gymnastics
skills are listed in the JO Code of Points (https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/usa-gymnastics-womens-
junior/id794560987?mt=11).
Special Requirements
Requirements: USA Gymnastics (http://usagym.org)‘s term for optional routine requirements that have
a value of .5. In my GymnasticsHQ Skill Progression sheets (https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-skill-
checklists/) I show skills which could fulfill these requirements.
Split
Split: A split on the ground is a skill gymnasts use to improve their flexibility. The split position is one of the basic
shapes in gymnastics (https://gymnasticshq.com/the-basic-shapes-in-gymnastics/). Some of the skills that use the
split position are split leaps (https://gymnasticshq.com/split-leap/), and split jumps.
Start Value
Value: The value of the routine before execution deductions are taken. The judge looks at whether the
gymnast has all the requirements for her gymnastics level (https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-levels/).
Straddle
Straddle: A straddle is one of the basic gymnastics positions (https://gymnasticshq.com/the-basic-shapes-in-
gymnastics/). The straddle position is basically a side
split. Straddle jumps are done on beam and floor. Side leaps are leaps done in the side straddle position.
Timer
Timer: A term used to describe when a gymnast practices the first part of a skill. For example, a Tsuk timer, is when
the gymnast does the first part of the vault without flipping.
TOPS
TOPS: The acronym TOPS stands for the Talent Opportunity Program. TOPS (https://gymnasticshq.com/tops-
gymnastics-program/) is a program created by USA Gymnastics in order to find young talent, with the goal of
having a strong national team.
Trampoline and Tumbling Gymnastics: Trampoline and Tumbling gymnastics
(https://gymnasticshq.com/artistic-rhythmic-trampoline-tumbling-a-breakdown-of-gymnastic-classes/) is a
gymnastics discipline that has been recognized since 1967 but debuted at the 2000 Olympic Games. The trampoline
and tumbling events are individual and synchronized trampoline, double mini trampoline and power tumbling.
This might be the right discipline for your child if they really enjoy tumbling, since it’s basically tumbling skills on
both the floor and on the trampoline. Trampoline and Tumbling gymnastics is governed by USA gymnastics in the
US and by the FIG (Federation Internationale de Gymnastique) internationally.
Tuck: Tuck is one of gymnastics basic shapes (https://gymnasticshq.com/the-basic-

shapes-in-gymnastics/). The tuck position is when your knees are brought in to
your chest. Your knees should be touching your chest and each other with your toes
pointed. Your knees should be brought to horizontal in order to not receive a deduction.
Tuck jumps are done on the Floor Exercise and Balance Beam. Flips done in the tuck
position are called either a “front tuck,” a front flip in a tuck position or a “back tuck,” a
back flip in a tuck position.
Uneven Bars: Uneven Bars or simply “bars” is one of the four gymnastics events. The
bars are different heights, or “uneven,” to allow the gymnast to jump between them. The
upper bar is 8.2 feet tall and the lower bar is 5.6 feet tall. The diameter of the bar is 4 centimeters and they are 7.9
feet long. They are made of fiberglass with wood coating. The uneven bars are sometimes abbreviated UB. Here is
more information about the Uneven Bars (https://gymnasticshq.com/understanding-bars/).
USA Gymnastics
Gymnastics: USA gymnastics is the official governing body for gymnastics in the US. In general (and on this
website), when discussing competitive gymnastics rules and regulations we are talking about USA gymnastics rules.
In the history of gymnastics (https://gymnasticshq.com/history-of-gymnastics/), the United States Gymnastics
Federation, now known as USA Gymnastics, was formed in 1970.
Vault
Vault: Vault (the event) is performed on a vault table (the piece of equipment), but the term can be used for both
the event and the piece of equipment. The vault table is 3.9 feet long by 3.12 feet wide. Gymnasts are allowed to
adjust the height of the vault. Vault is one of the four gymnastics events. The vault is sometimes abbreviated VT.
Here is more information about Vault (https://gymnasticshq.com/understanding-vault/).
Value Part: Value Parts are elements that make up a gymnastics routine; these elements are assigned a value. The
easiest elements are assigned an A, the next hardest a B and so on.How many of each the gymnast needs in her
routine depends on the gymnastics level (https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-levels/).
Wolf Jump
Jump: A wolf jump is a jump on floor and beam that is similar to a pike jump, but one leg is bent. So when
you jump, one leg is extended, and one leg is bent with the knees touching.
Xcel Program: The Xcel Program (https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-xcel-levels/) is a different competitive

program from the JO Program. It is often used in combination with the traditional JO Gymnastics Levels
(https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-levels/) to let gymnasts compete optional gymnastics in addition to
compulsory gymnastics at the early levels. The Xcel Program is a set of optional rules that can be used while the
gymnast is learning levels 4-6 compulsory skills.
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GLOSSARY OF GYMNASTICS TERMS

Artistry: The term gymnastics judges

Capitol Cup Format

Execution Score or E-Score

Federation Internationale de Gymnastique or FIG FIG: The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique is

Gymnastics Meets: Meets are gymnastics competitions. Different teams get

Junior Olympic or JO Program

Pike: Pike is one of the basic gymnastics positions (https://gymnasticshq.com/the-basic-shapes-in-gymnastics/). In

Popa: Straddle jump with a 1/1 turn.

Tuck: Tuck is one of gymnastics basic shapes (https://gymnasticshq.com/the-basic-

Xcel Program: The Xcel Program (https://gymnasticshq.com/gymnastics-xcel-levels/) is a different competitive

SKILL PROGRESSION CHARTS (HTTPS://GYMNASTICSHQ.COM/SKILL-CHECKLISTS-DRAG)

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