If you’re a gymnast (or a parent of a gymnast), we are sure you’ve wondered how to improve your beam routine to score better. Here are 10 things judges look for when they evaluate your beam routine.

The balance beam, demands a unique blend of strength, precision, and artistry. As gymnasts mount the beam, judges meticulously evaluate their performance and every move. In this article, we’ll delve into the key elements that gymnastics judges look for on the balance beam, shedding light on the criteria that determine a gymnast’s success.

10 Things Judges Look for on Beam

Do you have all the skills required at your level

You can check out our website to see all of the required skills for each level, to make sure that you have all of the skills and elements required for your gymnastics level.

Overall artistry of routine

Judges evaluate the overall artistry of your beam routine. They look at variety in the choreography, quality of movement and of expression. This is a way to distinguish the great dancers from the good dancers. Judges want to see that a gymnast really performs the movement instead of just going through the motions.

Overall dynamics of routine

This is one way that judges distinguish the great routines from good routines. They want to see that you make your skills looks effortless and that you make the difficult look easy. All of your jumps and leaps need to get height off of the beam, and your acro skills need to have height and energy.

Were all of your connections connected – leaps, jump series, etc?

You need to make sure all of your connections are connected without pauses or rhythm breaks. If you pause, or move your feet in the middle of a connection, judges can break the connection ( lowering your start value) or they can apply a rhythm deduction.

Height of your jump series

Judges are looking for height in your jump series – they want to see you get some height off of the beam, and not just see your feet barely leave the apparatus. Judges will compare the height you get in your jump series, to the height that other gymnasts in your level have gotten off the beam.

Did you get to the required angle for your split jump/leap?

Achieving the required angle for your split jumps and leaps is important. Judges are looking for the lowest part of the leap and they judge from that point.

Did you use the whole beam?

Judges want to see you utilize the entire length of the beam, from end to end. Make sure that your leaps, steps and dance passes take up space on the beam so that you use the whole apparatus.

Did you do things high on the beam and low on the beam?

Executing skills both lower to the beam as well as from a standing position is an important aspect that judges look for in beam routines. They want to see that gymnasts are comfortable doing skills close to the beam, as well as all the way in high relevé.

Did you get height in your leaps?

Judges evaluate the height in your leap. They want to see you get high up off the beam. Make sure that you’re really punching off of the beam and getting up in the air for a big, beautiful leap.

Were your legs evenly split in your leaps?

Judges look to make sure that your legs are split evenly in your leap; if one leg is higher than the other, they’ll take a deduction.

We hope this helps you improve your performance on Beam! Also check out 10 Things Judges Look for on Floor.

Gymnast: @mayaistumbling

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