Gymnastics skills are typically introduced on different events, including floor, bars, beam, and vault. Here are some of the most common beginner gymnastics skills:

Floor Gymnastics Skills

Forward Roll & Backward Roll

These are foundational tumbling skills. A forward roll involves tucking the head and rolling forward, while a backward roll reverses the motion.

Cartwheel & Roundoff

A cartwheel is a sideways movement where hands touch the floor one at a time. A roundoff is similar but ends with both feet landing together, creating power for tumbling.

Handstand

A core gymnastics skill where the body is held in a straight line upside down on the hands.

Backbend & Bridge Kickover

A backbend is when a gymnast leans backward from standing and places their hands on the floor to form a bridge. A bridge kickover is when they kick one leg over from the bridge to stand back up again.

Front Walkover & Back Walkover

These are smooth, controlled skills where a gymnast moves through a bridge position and steps their legs over one at a time to finish standing. A front walkover starts by going forward, while a back walkover begins by moving backward.

Leap

A leap is a jumping movement where a child pushes off one foot, travels through the air, and lands on the opposite foot. Leaps are used to show height, control, and smooth movement across the floor, and they often look graceful when done with pointed toes and straight legs.

Turn (Half or Full)

A turn is a controlled rotation of the body while staying in one place. The child spins on one foot while keeping balance and posture (usually in a forward Passe position for gymnastics).

Turns help develop coordination, focus, and body control.

Tuck Jump

A jump where the gymnast pulls their knees tightly into their chest in the air before landing with control. This helps build explosive power and body awareness.

As gymnasts progress, they begin learning more dynamic and powerful movements.

Front Handspring

A front handspring is a forward tumbling skill where a gymnast hurdles forward into a lunge and pushes strongly through their hands and shoulders and snaps their feet down to land back on their feet. (1 foot to 2 feet)

Front Bounder

A front bounder is a forward tumbling skill where a gymnast jumps onto their hands and pushes off quickly to land on two feet, immediately continuing into the next skill. It helps build power and control for connecting tumbling passes. (2 feet to 2 feet)

Back Handspring

A back handspring is a backward tumbling skill where a gymnast jumps back onto their hands in a bridge shape, then pushes through their arms and shoulders to snap their feet down and land on their feet again.

Front Tuck

A front tuck is a forward flip where a gymnast jumps upward, pulls their knees in to rotate through the air, and then opens to land safely on their feet.

Side Aerial

A cartwheel performed without hands.

Back Tuck (Backflip)

A backward somersault in the air with knees tucked.

Layouts & Twisting Skills

Advanced flips performed in a straight-body position, often with twists.

Switch Leap

A switch leap is a jumping skill where the child starts on one leg, quickly switches the position of their legs in the air, and lands on the opposite foot.

It is a more advanced leap that requires flexibility, timing, and strong coordination, and it is often used in dance and gymnastics routines to show power and control.

Understanding gymnastics bar skills can help you follow your child’s progress more easily.

Glide

A glide is a smooth swinging motion under the bar where a gymnast extends their body forward and backward to build momentum for the next skill.

Pullover

A pullover is a skill where a gymnast pulls themselves up to the bar, brings their hips to the bar, and rotates around it to arrive in a front support position on top of the bar.

Front Support

Front support is a strong, balanced position where a gymnast holds themselves up on the bar with straight arms.

Cast

A cast is when a gymnast starts in a front support on the bar and pushes their body away from the bar, lifting their hips upward while keeping their arms straight, then returns back to the bar.

Back Hip Circle

A back hip circle is when a gymnast starts in front support on the bar and circles their body backward around the bar with their hips staying in contact, finishing back in front support.

Front Hip Circle

A front hip circle is a bar skill where a child starts in a support position on the bar, leans forward, and circles their body around the bar using their hips. They return to the starting position without letting go.

This skill helps develop strength, coordination, and confidence on the bars.

Squat-On

A squat-on is when a gymnast jumps their feet onto the bar from a front support position, landing in a squat to prepare for the next skill.

Kip

A kip is an important skill where a gymnast swings forward under the bar, then uses momentum and core strength to pull their body up and arrive in a front support position on top of the bar.

Tap Swings

Tap swings are a basic bar skill where a child swings back and forth while hanging on the bar. The “tap” refers to the controlled action of the feet and body as they swing, helping build rhythm and momentum.

Tap swings develop timing, grip strength, and body control, and are an important foundation for more advanced bar skills.

Beam combines balance, strength, and flexibility.

Relevé Lock Position

Relevé lock position is when a gymnast rises up onto their toes with one foot placed in front of the other, creating a tight, controlled position used for balance and turns.

Passé

Passé is a balance position where one foot is placed at the knee of the standing leg, often used in turns and dance movements.

Half Turn

A half turn is when a gymnast turns to face the other direction, usually on one foot with the other foot placed at the knee (passé).

Pivot Turn

A pivot turn is a controlled half-turn where a gymnast rotates to face the opposite direction while keeping both feet on the beam or floor.

Straight Jump

A straight jump is when a gymnast jumps straight up in the air with their body tight and legs together, then lands softly with control.

Split Jump

A split jump is when a gymnast jumps into the air and separates their legs into a split position, aiming for straight legs and pointed toes before landing with control.

Arabesque

An arabesque is a controlled landing position often used after a leap, where a gymnast lands on one leg while extending the other leg straight behind them, showing balance and control.

Handstand

A handstand on the beam is when a gymnast kicks up and balances in a straight handstand position on the beam with their legs together, showing control and balance before returning safely to the beam.

Dismount

A dismount is how a gymnast finishes their routine and safely gets off the beam.

Vault is all about speed, power, and precision.

Hurdle

A hurdle is the jump a gymnast makes right before landing on the springboard in vault, helping them transfer speed from the run into power for the vault.

Handspring Vault

A handspring vault is when a gymnast does a front handspring over the vault, using their hands to push off and land on their feet.

Yurchenko Vault

A Yurchenko vault is an advanced vault where a gymnast does a roundoff onto the springboard, a back handspring onto the vault table, then pushes off the table into a back flip before landing safely on their feet.

Tsukahara Vault (Tsuk)

A Tsukahara vault is when a gymnast uses a turning entry onto the springboard (similar to a half turn or roundoff), places their hands on the vault table, and then pushes off into a backward flip to land safely on their feet.

Gymnasts train specific shapes and positions to improve performance:

Lunge

A basic position with one leg bent in front and one stretched behind. It’s used to start and finish many skills like cartwheels and handstands.

Hollow Body Hold

Core engagement position, also playfully known here as banana!

Arch Hold

Opposite of hollow, used for balance, also playfully known here as superman or superwoman.

Candlestick

A candlestick is when a child lies on their back and lifts their legs straight up toward the ceiling, with their hips slightly raised off the floor. Their body should look tall and straight—like a candle!

This skill helps develop core strength, body control, and balance, and is often used as a foundation for rolls and other gymnastics movements.

Splits

A split is when a child stretches their legs apart in a straight line, front to back.

It helps improve flexibility in the hips and legs, which is important for many movements in gymnastics.

Bridge

A bridge is when a child pushes up off the ground with their hands and feet, creating an arched “bridge” shape with their body.

This helps build flexibility in the back, shoulders, and arms, as well as overall strength.

Pike

In a pike position, the child keeps their legs straight and together while bending at the hips to bring their upper body toward their legs.

This position helps develop core strength and hamstring flexibility.

Straddle

In a straddle position, the child sits with their legs stretched wide apart to the sides.

This helps improve inner thigh flexibility and is used in many skills and movements.

If you’ve ever watched a class and felt unsure of what coaches were saying, these common gymnastics phrases will help:

Salute

A salute is how a gymnast signals the start and end of their routine to the judges.

Spotting

Spotting is when a coach gently supports or guides a child while they are learning a skill. This hands-on help keeps the child safe, builds confidence, and helps them understand the correct movement as they practice.

Routine

A routine is a planned sequence of skills that a child performs in a specific order. It combines different movements—like jumps, balances, rolls, or poses—into one smooth performance. Routines help children learn coordination, memory, and flow between skills.

Form

How your body is positioned while performing a skill. It includes things like straight legs, pointed toes, tight muscles, and correct alignment. Good form means the movement is done safely, correctly, and with control.

Artistry

Artistry is how a child expresses themselves while performing skills. It includes their facial expression, confidence, energy, and how smoothly they move. Good artistry makes a routine look engaging and polished, not just technically correct.

Warm-Up

A warm-up is a short set of light exercises and stretches done before training. It helps prepare the body for activity by increasing blood flow, loosening muscles, and reducing the risk of injury.

Drills

Drills are simple, repeated exercises that help children practice and improve specific parts of a skill. They break movements down into smaller steps so technique can be learned safely and correctly before putting everything together.

Reps (Repetitions)

Reps are the number of times a child repeats the same skill or exercise. Practicing skills multiple times helps build strength, confidence, and consistency so the movement becomes smoother and more natural.

Progressions

Progressions are a step-by-step way of learning a skill, starting with easier movements and gradually building up to the full skill. Each step helps the child gain strength, confidence, and control before moving to the next level.

Stick

Landing a skill and finishing without taking any extra steps, hops, or movement of the feet. It shows a gymnast is fully in control of their body. A “stuck” landing is a big accomplishment and can really help their score.

Strength & Conditioning

Strength & conditioning is training that helps children build muscle, balance, and body control. It includes exercises that improve stability and movement quality so skills can be performed safely and correctly. In gymnastics, strength is especially important because it supports every skill—helping athletes hold positions, control landings, and move with confidence and precision.

Chalk

Chalk is a powder used on the hands to help improve grip on equipment like bars and rings. It absorbs sweat so hands stay drier, making it easier and safer for children to hold on during skills.

Foam Pit

A foam pit is a safe landing area filled with soft foam blocks. It is used when learning new or more difficult skills, allowing children to practice safely while reducing impact and building confidence.