Gymnastics is an exciting and rewarding sport that helps children build strength, flexibility, and confidence. However, for parents and kids new to the sport, understanding the specialized terminology can be overwhelming. Coaches and gymnasts often use words and phrases that may sound unfamiliar, making it challenging to follow along with training sessions or discuss progress.
This guide is designed to help parents feel more informed by breaking down key gymnastics terms. Whether your child is just starting in a preschool class or moving into more advanced recreational gymnastics, this resource will help you understand the language of the sport.
We’ll cover essential skills, training terminology, and common phrases used in gymnastics. By the end, you’ll have a strong foundation to support your child’s gymnastics journey with confidence.
Basic Gymnastics Skills and Movements
Gymnastics involves a wide range of skills across different apparatuses. Below is a breakdown of the most common movements gymnasts learn as they progress.
Floor Skills:
Forward Roll & Backward Roll – A forward roll is a basic tumbling skill where the gymnast tucks their head and rolls forward over the floor. A backward roll is the same movement in reverse, where the gymnast rolls over their back to return to a standing position.
Cartwheel & Roundoff – A cartwheel is a sideways movement where the gymnast places their hands on the floor one at a time and rotates their body over their hands, landing on their feet. A roundoff is a variation where the gymnast lands with their feet together, generating power for tumbling passes.
Handstand – A skill where the gymnast balances upside down on their hands with their body in a straight, vertical position. It is a foundational position used in many advanced gymnastics movements.
Backbend & Bridge Kickover – A backbend is a movement where the gymnast bends backward into an arched position with their hands and feet on the floor. A bridge kickover starts from a bridge position, where the gymnast lifts one leg and kicks over to land on their feet.
Back Walkover & Front Walkover – A back walkover is a skill where the gymnast begins in a standing position, arches into a bridge, and then lifts one leg to step over into a standing position again. A front walkover is the same movement performed in the opposite direction, starting with a forward lean into a controlled rotation over the hands.
Advanced Floor Skills:
Front & Back Handspring – A front handspring is a tumbling skill where the gymnast jumps forward, places their hands on the floor, and pushes off to land on their feet in a forward flipping motion. A back handspring is the same movement performed backward, where the gymnast jumps back onto their hands and flips their legs over to land upright.
Aerial (No-Handed Cartwheel) – An acrobatic skill where gymnasts complete a cartwheel without using their hands.
Back Tuck – A backward somersault performed in the air with knees tucked to the chest. Also known as a backflip.
Layouts & Twisting Skills – As gymnasts advance, they learn layouts (straight-body flips) and twisting variations of adding one, two or even three twists into a flip.
Bar Skills:
Pullover – One of the first bar skills gymnasts learn, allowing them to lift themselves onto the bar from a hang.
Cast – A controlled movement where gymnasts push away from the bar to gain height before performing skills.
Back Hip Circle – A fundamental bar skill where gymnasts rotate backwards around the bar using their hips.
Squat-On – A transition skill where gymnasts jump their feet onto the bar in preparation for another skill in a bar routine.
Kip – A fundamental bar skill where the gymnast swings from a hang, then uses momentum and core strength to lift their body into a front support on the bar. The movement starts with a glide, followed by pulling the legs up and pressing down on the bar to transition smoothly into an upright position. Kips are essential for connecting skills and moving between bar elements.
Front Support – A position on the bars where the gymnast holds their body upright with their arms straight and hands gripping the bar, while their hips rest against it. This is a key position for executing skills and maintaining control on the bars.
Glide – A swinging movement on the bars where the gymnast extends their legs forward while holding onto the bar, creating momentum for skills like kips. The gymnast’s body remains straight as they move forward and then back to a hanging position.
Beam Skills:
Passe – A common foot position where one foot is placed at the knee, often seen in turns and dance elements.
Pivot Turn – A basic turn where gymnasts rotate 180 degrees on the ball of one foot.
Split Jump – A jump performed in a split position, requiring flexibility and control.
Arabesque – A balancing pose where one leg is extended backward while the upper body remains upright.
Dismount – The skill used to finish a routine and safely exit the beam. Common dismounts include backward flipping skill of the end of the beam and front tucks.
Vault Skills:
Hurdle – The step gymnasts take before jumping onto the springboard to generate power for their vault. This is also used to generate power when tumbling on the floor.
Handspring Vault – A vault where the gymnast launches onto the table and pushes off in a straight-body motion to land back on their feet on the other side.
Yurchenko Vault – A vault that begins with a roundoff onto the springboard, followed by a back handspring onto the vault table. The gymnast then pushes off into a salto (flip) with various twisting or flipping variations before landing.
Tsukahara (Tsuk) Vault – A vault where the gymnast performs a quarter or half-turn onto the vault table, then pushes off into a backward salto, often with twists. It is commonly used in competitive gymnastics.
Strength & Flexibility Drills:
Many gymnastics skills require a combination of strength and flexibility. Gymnasts train specific movements to improve their ability to perform these skills safely.
Hollow Body Hold – A position where the gymnast lies on their back with arms extended overhead and legs lifted slightly off the ground, keeping their core engaged and lower back pressed to the floor.
Arch Hold – A position where the gymnast lies on their stomach and lifts their arms, chest, and legs off the ground, creating a curved shape with their body.
Splits & Bridges – The splits involve extending the legs in opposite directions until they are flat on the ground, either front-to-back or side-to-side. A bridge is a position where the gymnast pushes up onto their hands and feet with an arched back.
Pike & Straddle Positions – In the pike position, the gymnast sits with legs extended straight in front and reaches toward their toes. In the straddle position, the legs are spread apart while sitting, with the torso leaning forward or to the sides.
General Gymnastics Terms
Beyond specific skills, gymnasts and coaches use a variety of terms that describe movement, form, and performance quality. Here are some key phrases every gymnastics parent should know:
Salute – The respectful hand gesture gymnasts use before and after a routine to signal they are ready to perform.
Spotting – When a coach physically assists a gymnast to help them safely execute a skill.
Stick – Landing a skill without additional movement. A “stuck” landing is a sign of control and is often rewarded in evaluations.
Routine – A sequence of skills performed on any gymnastics apparatus.
Form – The gymnast’s body posture and technique. Good form (straight legs, pointed toes, tight core) is crucial for high-quality execution.
Artistry – The way a gymnast expresses movement through dance, fluidity, and confidence. Artistry is emphasized in floor and beam routines.
Gymnastics Class & Training Lingo
Gymnastics classes involve structured training sessions with specific terminology. Here are some key terms you’ll likely hear:
Warm-Up – The stretching and conditioning exercises performed before practice to prepare the body for movement.
Drills – Focused exercises used to develop technique and reinforce proper skill progressions.
Strength & Conditioning – Workouts designed to build the muscle strength needed for gymnastics movements.
Repetition/Reps – Performing a skill multiple times to develop muscle memory and consistency.
Progressions – A step-by-step approach to learning advanced skills, starting with simpler movements before attempting the full skill.
Chalk – A powder applied to the hands for better grip on bars and rings.
Pit – A foam-filled landing area that allows gymnasts to practice new or difficult skills safely.
Tips for Parents Learning Gymnastics Terminology
If you’re new to gymnastics, don’t worry—learning the terminology takes time! Here are some simple ways to get familiar with gymnastics lingo:
✔️ Attend practices and ask questions, our coaches are always happy to explain!
✔️ Watch gymnastics videos to see skills in action.
✔️ Follow your gym’s social media for updates and training insights.
✔️ Encourage your child to explain their skills.
✔️ Focus on the basics first; you’ll pick up more terms over time!
Conclusion
Understanding gymnastics terminology helps parents stay engaged in their child’s progress and training. While it may feel like learning a new language at first, over time, these terms will become second nature.
By familiarizing yourself with basic skills, training lingo, and commonly used phrases, you can better support your child’s gymnastics journey. Whether they are working on forward rolls or mastering a back handspring, your encouragement and knowledge will help them succeed.
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