Gymnastic Moves

Gymnastics is an ancient Roman sport that involves highly artistic expression by a gymnast performing various acrobatic moves. A gymnast, by nature, is supposed to be very flexible and agile, and can carry out seemingly impossible sequences of moves using a variety of props.

For a person who is interested in learning gymnastic moves, it is imperative to do so under the tutelage of an experienced instructor, and not just by merely watching the moves on television and reading about them over the Internet. These moves require tremendous technique and a lot of training, and it is always better to start learning them from as young an age as possible.

Gymnastic Moves List

These basic moves are well-known around the world, and every aspiring gymnast must be well aware of them, and should be able to carry them out flawlessly. Admittedly, it takes a few months to develop the right technique for them.

Aerials: Any of the moves that are carried out without the hands touching the floor are known as aerial moves.

Back Handspring: A backward flip of the body, where the gymnast lands on her hands, and her legs then follow in the same direction as a pair. After the flip is done, the gymnast returns to a standing position.

Backward Somersault: A backward rolling movement on the floor, where the knees are tucked in as far as possible.

Back Walkover: A move where the gymnast rests her hands on the floor or a beam, and the legs come over the head and make a kicking motion towards the front.

Cartwheel: A basic sideways move where the hands reach the floor one at a time towards the side, and the legs also follow in a similar manner.

Front Handspring: Similar to a back handspring, the only difference being that the gymnast moves forward.

Hip Circle: A move where the gymnast circles the parallel bars or the uneven bars, while her hips are touching the bars.

Front Pike Somersault: A forward somersault, with the knees kept straight.

Forward Somersault: A forward rolling movement on the floor, where the knees are tucked in as far as possible.

Front Split: A split where one leg is in the front, and the other is at the back.

Handstand: A move where the body is vertically upright, and being supported by the hands on the floor.

Pike: Any of the moves where the knees are straight, but the body is bent.

Somi-and-a-half: A one and a half somersault.

Sticking: A situation at the end of all moves, where the gymnast should be stationary and not take any further steps, as soon as the move is completed.

Straddle: A situation where the legs of the gymnast are very far apart from each other.

Straddle Split: A split where both legs are pointing in opposite directions. Also known as a common center split.

Straddle Swing: A combination of swinging moves on the parallel bars or uneven bars, with the legs extended on each respective side.

Tuck: Any of the moves where the knees are tucked up to the chest.

These were some names of moves that will be taught at an elementary and basic level. Some of them will certainly take longer than others to be mastered, but these will form the basis for many more advanced gymnastic moves that one may wish to learn.

It must be stressed again that these moves should be learned under the guidance and training of an experienced professional. Failure to do so will result in injuries, incorrect technique and unnecessary delays.