Balance beam (gymnastics)
The
Balance Beam is an
artistic gymnastics apparatus only used by
female gymnasts. It made of a
metal or
steel frame and a
wooden beam with a
suede or
leather cover. The maximum exercise time is 1
minute 30
seconds.
Measures of the apparatus are published by the
FIG in the
Apparatus Norms brochure.
* Height 125 cm (including about 20 cm landing mats)
* Length 5 m
* Width 10 cm
Originally, the beam surface was plain polished wood. Since the
1980s, beams have been covered in leather or suede. In addition, they are now also sprung to accommodate the stress of high-difficulty tumbling and dance skills.
|
A gymnast performing on the balance beam. |
Competitors are scored on form, execution and completion of tumbling and acrobatic skills. At the elite level, the routine choreography and composition are determined by the gymnast and her coaches. Under the
Code of Points, gymnasts must perform several required skills, including a 360 degree turn, a leap showing 180 degree split, acrobatic elements backwards, and acrobatic elements forward or sideways. As well as fulfilling the special requirements, gymnasts also gain points for connecting skills of certain value. The dismount is also important. Deductions are taken for lapses in control, balance checks, poor technique, failure to fulfill all the required elements and falls, among other things.
* Gymnasts must mount and dismount the apparatus on their own, with skills of their choosing. The element used for the dismount must carry at least a 'D' difficulty value to earn EGR points.
* Gymnasts may chalk their hands and/or feet and wear special beam shoes for added stability on the apparatus.
* Once the exercise has started, a coach may not inferfere with the athlete in any way. However, if a springboard has been used for the mount, the coach or another member of the gymnast's team may step in quickly to remove it from the mat.
* The routine is timed. At the 1:20 mark, a warning bell or tone is sounded; the athlete then has ten seconds to complete her routine and leave the beam. If the exercise lasts longer than 1:30, a deduction is incurred.
* In the event of a fall, an athlete has ten seconds to remount the apparatus and continue the routine. If she does not return to the beam within this time limit, she is not permitted to continue.
In the early days of women's artistic gymnastics, beam was based more in dance than in tumbling. Routines were composed with combinations of leaps, dance poses,
handstands, rolls and walkovers. In the
1960s, the most difficult acrobatic skill performed by the average Olympic gymnast was a
back handspring.
Balance beam difficulty began to increase dramatically in the
1970s.
Olga Korbut and
Nadia Comaneci pioneered advanced tumbling combinations and aerial skills on beam; other athletes and coaches began to follow suit. The change was also facilitated by the transition from wooden beams to safer, less slippery models with suede-covered surfaces. By the mid
1980s, top gymnasts routinely performed flight series and multiple aerial elements on beam.
*
The 2006 Code of Points*
Apparatus description at the FIG website*
US Gym Net's glossary of beam skills
