The balance beam is one of the most technically challenging apparatuses in gymnastics. A mere 4 inches wide, the beam tests a gymnast’s balance, poise, and precision with every step, turn, and flip. Beam routines are a unique combination of acrobatics, dance, and artistry, all performed on this narrow platform. From beginner skills to advanced moves, mastering the beam takes years of dedication and practice.
In this article, we’ll explore a comprehensive list of gymnastics beam skills, categorized by difficulty, that every gymnast should strive to master.
If you are practicing your gymnastics at home, check out these 6 Gymnasics Skills you should perfect on your home beam. Also check out our picks for best balance beams for home.
OUR HOME BEAM PICK: Addie Beam for Home
WHY: Shape and feel is the same as a competitive beam. Low to the ground and perfect for practicing your skills at home safely.
Check out our Home Gymnastics Equipment guide for the best gear and equipment to help you improve your gymnastics skills at home.
Acro Skills
- Forward Roll
- Backward Shoulder Roll
- Handstand– A handstand on beam is important because it’s a building block for so many other gymnastics skills.
- Cartwheel– A cartwheel is one of the first gymnastics tumbling skills that gymnasts learn on a beam.
- Handstand Forward Roll
- Back Walkover
- Back Handspring
- Front Handspring
Turns
- Half turn on one foot
- Full turn on one foot
Jumps
- Straight Jump
- Tuck Jump
- Split Jump
- Straight Jump 1/2 turn
- Wolf Jump
- Tuck Jump 1/2 turn
- Pike Jump
- Straddle Jump
Leaps
- Hitch Kick
- Sissone
- Cat Leap
- Split Leap– Gymnasts do split leaps in most level beam routines.
- Cat Leap 1/2 turn
- Switch Leap
Holds
- Knee Scale
- Body Wave
- Front Scale
- Side Scale
- Back Scale
- V Support Sit
Dismounts
- Roundoff
- Front Handspring
- Front Tuck
- Front Pike
- Front Layout
- Back Tuck
- Back Pike
- Back Layout
- Gainer Salto to side of beam
- Gainer Tuck Salto off end of beam
Here are skills lists for Floor and Bars.
The balance beam is a test of skill, grace, and determination. From beginner moves like walking and tuck jumps to advanced acrobatic skills like aerial cartwheels and twisting dismounts, the beam offers gymnasts endless opportunities to showcase their abilities. Each skill builds upon the next, creating a routine that blends athleticism with artistry. With consistent practice and dedication, gymnasts can master even the most challenging beam skills and leave a lasting impression on judges and audiences alike.
19 Comments
Do you have any moves for guys events
Dear Kenny, we will post guy gymnastics very soon! Stay tuned for guy/ boy gymnastics
Thanks, your friends at gymnasticshq.com☀️
Hi Are You Going To Post Skills For Vault?
I have got my aerial and my back tuck
great I can do a layout not a back tuck though wow.
I need to know what are some acro series on beam, for Xcel Dimond.
Thnk you!
A handstand-backwalkover is one of them
Hi Are You Going To Post Skills For Vault?
i do netball now but i practice at home
any tips on getting my backbend? need help
Repetitive. That one word is gonna take u a long way. Plus some more tips is to search up Rybka twins they helped me get so many skills
Hi
To get your backbend you need to be able to do a bridge and try walking your hands down a wall. Also you need a lot of back flexibility. If it does not help then try research on YouTube with Anna McNulty I got mine of YouTube and I’m advanced gymnast.also 9yrs old
Hi
To get your backbend you need to be able to do a bridge and try walking your hands down a wall. Also you need a lot of back flexibility. If it does not help then try research on YouTube with Anna McNulty I got mine off it and I’m advanced gymnast.also 9yrs old
Does a sissone count as a leap or is it a jump? My coach said it was a jump but I would like to know if it was a leap instead.