Want to upgrade your gymnastics routine with a higher value turn? Turns are an easy area, along with jumps, to upgrade your gymnastics skills!  We’ve broken down some common gymnastics turns and included the skill values for you here for both floor and beam (all of these values are for the Developmental Program unless otherwise noted)!

Turns in Gymnastics

There are a bunch of different turns in gymnastics, and in this article we will go over the most common gymnastics turns.

Turn on One Leg

This is one of the most basic turns that you see from very early on in gymnastics. In the turn on one leg, you want to be in high relevé on your dominant leg and then your non-dominant leg can either be at the ankle or knee. Upgrading from a 1/1 Turn to a 1 1/2 Turn is one of the easiest upgrades to a B skill value.

Floor:

• 1/1 Turn – A
• 1 1/2 Turn – B
• 2/1 Turn – C
• 3/1 Turn – D
• 4/1 Turn – E

Beam:

• 1/1 Turn – A
• 1 1/2 Turn – B
• 2/1 Turn – D
• 3/1 Turn – E

Turn with Leg Extended

For this turn, you want your dominant leg to be positioned in high relevé also. Your non-dominant leg should be tightly extended either at or above horizontal for the duration of the turn. This skill starts at a B value for both beam and floor, however on beam, the heel of the non-dominant leg is allowed to be below horizontal but at least at a 45º angle. This is a relatively easy upgrade for gymnasts to incorporate into their routines to increase skill value.

Floor: 

• 1/1 Turn with heel at or above horizontal – B
• 1 1/2 Turn with heel at or above horizontal – C
• 2/1 Turn with heel at or above horizontal – D

Beam: 

• 1/1 Turn with heel below horizontal but a minimum of 45º angle – B
• 1 Turn with heel at or above horizontal – C
• 1 1/2 Turn with heel at or above horizontal – D

Wolf Turn

The wolf turn can be completed with the free (non-dominant) leg in the forward or sidewards horizontal position. This is an increasingly popular turn to use as an upgrade as many gymnasts strive to compete the turns as the Olympic gymnasts do. For the wolf turn, you will start in a squatted position on your dominant leg with your non-dominant or free leg in a stretched horizontal position. This turn can look great incorporated in your gymnastics routine!

Floor: 

• 1/1 Turn – B
• 1 1/2 Turn – C
• 2/1 Turn – D
• 3/1 Turn – E

Beam: 

• 1/1 Turn – B
• 1 1/2 Turn – C
• 2/1 & 2 1/2 Turn – D
• 3/1 Turn or more – E

Turn with Leg Up

This turn requires the gymnast to stand in high relevé on the dominant leg, while holding the non-dominant leg by hand(s) in a 180º split position throughout the duration of the turn. This skill has a higher starting value, ranging from A-C on floor and C-E on beam.

Floor: 

• 1/1 Turn – A
• 1 1/2 Turn – B
• 2/1 Turn – C

Beam: 

• 1/1 Turn – C
• 1 1/2 Turn – D
• 2/1 Turn – E

Gymnastics Turn Technique Tips

• Practice your Entry: Practice the beginning of the turn that your coach prefers. There are several different entry positions, and coaches will teach them all a little different. But you want to nail your entry position so you have a solid turn foundation.
• Make sure your Bottom Leg is in High Relevé: You want to be in high relevé on the leg you are standing on. You want to push through your leg and have it be completely straight.
• Spot the wall: You want to keep a spot with your eyes while you are turning to prevent dizziness and know where you are throughout the turn.
• Keep your Core Tight: You want to maintain a tight body position throughout the turn by keeping your core tight.

Hope you have enjoyed this guide to gymnastics turns, and that it has inspired you to upgrade your routine with a more advanced turn!

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