Balance Beam Archives - American Gymnast and Ninja

Recovering 7 Balance Beams by Lunch-time

Brad Thornton — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 19:02:13 +0000

American Gymnast Sales & Installation Manager, Jason Heartsfield, performs 7 balance beam core replacements at Roanoke Academy of Gymnastics.

Starting first thing in the morning, 7 worn beam tops were replaced with brand new beam cores by 1:30pm so that zero classes were affected during the procedure.

The 7 used beam cores were then transported to our facility for inspection. Post-inspection, each core is either refurbished to original specs for resale or retired from service. Contact us for a quote on your next beam recovery!

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Basic Connected Hops

amgym — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 02:55:59 +0000

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

amgym — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 02:55:58 +0000

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. Notice how this athlete was kicking with the right leg up first and then comes back kicking with the left leg up.

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Connected Tuck Jumps Drill

amgym — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 02:55:57 +0000

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

amgym — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 02:55:56 +0000

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. Besides helping the athletes to continue developing their balance and confidence, these jumps also help to refine body shaping accuracy, landing stability and other execution and presentation aspects like keeping straight legs and the feet pointing during airtime.

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Little Switch Jumps

amgym — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 02:55:55 +0000

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. Some of the main goals are to maintain a vertical body position in the air and while landing on the ground plus keeping the stomach in and the buttocks also tucked-in through the whole skill.

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Little Switch Jumps Drill

amgym — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 02:55:54 +0000

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. The gymnast should also concentrate on proper posture and form presentation while standing up on the beam or during the flying phases of the jumps.

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One Quarter Turn Jump Drills

amgym — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 02:55:53 +0000

Gymnasts that already know how to perform straight jumps up in place may begin practicing 1/4 turn jumps as an introductory drill for more complex 1/2, 3/4 and full turn jumps.

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Tuck Jump 1

amgym — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 02:55:52 +0000

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. The kick out is done quickly so the athlete has time to bend the knees during the landing. Observe this gymnast’s quick kick out.

Still 1 – Notice how the knees are up and the torso is leaning forward.

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Straddle L to Endo Press

amgym — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 22:57:59 +0000

Practicing straddle L to endo presses on beam is a good drill to develop balance, body control and strength. One of the gymnast’s goals must be to show a good straddle L, and also move in and out of that position with as much compression as possible. If a gymnast is planning to use the straddle L press as a beam mount, they must remember to keep the chin up on the straddle before starting the press to enhance the skill’s presentation.

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