USAG has specific gymnastics skills and requirements for each gymnastics level. The Level 5 balance beam routine requirements are as followed…

Before you Mount- If you are right legged you must stand on the right side of the balance beam to mount, if you are a lefty stand on the left side of the beam. When you start you mount you must parallel with the balance beam while facing the long end of the beam.

LEG SWING MOUNT WITH HALF TURN- When mounting you may take one to three steps. Swing you good leg (outside leg) up and over the beam while turning 180 degrees to arrive in a cross straddle sit. Make sure you keep your torso erect throughout the mount. Make sure you maintain straight arms and body posture when mounting. Do not make the mount choppy but make it fluid.

V-SIT- Extend your legs completely with pointed toes. You may bend or straighten your arms but you cannot push of the balance beam with your hands to perform the stand!

HEAL SNAP TURN (1/2 turn in coupe)- fro m the “finish” position bend your back leg and pull it towards until your bad foot is touching the ankle of your good leg. Rise in releve to perform a heal snap turn. Once the turn is completed, immediately drop to a flat foot and pause. Make sure you show the use of your arms when turning

LEAP- legs must separate on the leap and reach a minimum of 90 degrees. Must sustain straight legs and pointed toes throughout the entire leap and land in a low, paused, arabesque position. DO NOT bend the front leg on takeoff (this will be a staged leap and will receive deductions). The judge is looking for amplitude, great posture and an even leg separation (legs even, not one higher than the next)

WEIGHT TRANSFER- Both feet must be turned out. Must show rocking through the use of plie going forward and backwards. Maintain an erect torso and smooth fluid motion from beginning to end.

CROSS HANDSTAND- lever in and out of the handstand while stretching out body and closing legs at the top. Hands must be side by side (cannot be staged) while in the handstand. Must obtain vertical and hold for one second

PIVOT TURNS-Must maintain a tight, straight, square hipped body in high releve throughout both turns. Each turn must be super sharp and MUST complete 180 each way

½ TURN – Must complete a 180 degree turn on high releve; show control before stepping out to finish.

CARTWHEEL- must pass through vertical (I like to tell my gymnasts they have to be a windmill not a helicopter). Lever in and out of cartwheel while maintaining a tight body. Must maintain square hips and the beginning and end. To not place hands on the balance beam at the same time.

STRAIGHT JUMP (STRETCH JUMP)- must maintain a straight, tight, erect body. Push off of toes and close legs together during jump.

SPLIT JUMP- must show an even leg separation of 90 degrees or more. Must push off toes and show amplitude, erect torso, straight tight legs. Land with legs together.

ARABESQUE – Back leg must lift behind at a minimum of 45 degrees and must be held for at least 1 second.

SCALE- Back leg must lift a minimum of 90 degrees and be held for at least 2 seconds. The Gymnast must keep both legs locked out and chest up while performing both the scale and arabesque.

DISMOUNT- Must maintain a straight tight body while doing a cartwheel to side handstand. Must show levering into it. Once at the top legs much touch and remain together. Hold for two second. After being held, do a ¼ turn dismount. Body should remain straight from start to finish. Landing should be parallel to the balance beam.

Make sure you show fluidity and gymnastics dance throughout your routine!!! Each and every gymnastics skill is important so try your hardest, squeeze your tightest, and finish each and every gymnastics skill in your balance beam routine!!

In women’s gymnastics there are four apparatuses; the balance beam, vault table, floor exercise, and the uneven bars. Each of theses apparatuses have a different criteria and specific guidelines.

Women’s gymnastics balance beam is a very hard apparatus that is only used and competed by women. The balance beam takes a lot of concentration, balance and courage. The beam is a piece of equipment that is raised off the floor and is covered by tan leather to keep the gymnasts from slipping. The beam is sixteen feet four inches long and a mere four inches wide. Each gymnast is required to perform a routine on the beam without falling off. Beam is extremely hard because if a gymnast pauses in the slightest way during her routine the judges will deduct points from her score.

If a gymnast is at a compulsory level they have a specific choreographed routine they must compete. Every gymnast in America based on their level, will also compete the same exact routine (yes this does get a little boring if you are a coach or a judge). If the gymnast is an optional level they have their very own choreographed routine. Each women’s gymnastics balance beam routine has a specific time limit depending on the gymnast’s level. If the gymnast does not complete their routine within the time limit, they get a .10 deduction whether they go one second over or sixty seconds over. Every women’s gymnastic beam routine starts with a mount and ends with a dismount. Each beam routine is not performed to music but to silence, that way the gymnast can focus staying on the beam. Women’s gymnastics balance beam routines not only consist of many gymnastics skills but also a great amount of gymnastics dance.

Another important thing to know about beam is you may use a panel mat or spring board to mount if the beam is too high. The mat or spring board must be moved as soon as the gymnast mounts the beam or the gymnast will receive a deduction. On a score sheet women’s gymnastics balance beam is represented by the capital letters BB.