Balance Beam for Girls (1971)

[Music] to perform on the balance beam one must develop balance body control Grace and creativity the beam is 4 in wide and 16 ft long balance beam exercises begin with a mount this is a front support Mount using a straight arm support and a straddle we have a straddle Mount to straddle mount on the end of the beam one needs both arm strength and body control the body is lifted the hips are held high and the legs are in a straddle as the body rotates preparation is made for the hand change a closer view of the mount reveals the balanced grip of the hands the body turns and the hand change position here we see a side step up Mount approach the beam from an angle swing the inside leg forward and up on the beam now follow with the outside leg the end position is a squat this is the Step Up mount on the end of the beam begin with a run approach take off of the floor or router board with one foot spring vertically and step onto the end of the beam locomotive moves such as walks runs skips Hops and jumps are used on the beam throughout the routines the paa or dip walk tests the balance of the gymnast while practicing such moves the gymnast can concentrate on arm work and body Carriage the arms should be soft and expressive throughout the balance beam routine jumps on the beam offer the gymnast a challenge in skills and add to a variety of moves the gymnast should combine moves and continually work towards smooth transitions floor skills such as scales should be learned on the floor and later transferred to the beam it is helpful to practice tumbling skills on the floor until perfect before trying them on the beam the forward row roll grasp the beam tuck the head and slowly roll forward keep the elbows close to the ears spotters are important to the gymnast practicing a new stunt lying on the back grasp the beam overhead lift the hips and legs overhead and place the leg on the beam here with the aid of the spotter the gymnast goes into a knee scale as a finish to a back roll a back roll to a knee scale inverted stunts such as the cartwheel should be learn with the aid of a spotter in executing a cartwheel the spotter can best help the gymnast with support at the waist the gymnast executes the cartwheel concentrating on watching the beam and stretching out to all points push out from the center of the body here the spotter assists with a handstand roll out the spotter assists the gymnast at the waist she kicks up to a handstand tucks her head bends her elbows and lowers her body with control the handstand roll out is completed the back walkover requires courage and confidence assisted at the waist the gymnast kicks into the walkover the gymnast must watch the beam throughout the entire move the kick must be strong and from the hip we now see the stunt unassisted splits are an asset in creating a beam routine here we see them followed by a vit position getting off of the beam is called a Dismount here we see a jump Dismount the gymnast should jump higher than the beam outstretch the legs and land with slightly bent knees to absorb the force the roundoff Dismount do the round off close to the end of the beam the routine should flow smoothly and have variety it is started with a mount and ends with a Dismount a router board can be used for the mount but must be removed discreetly so as not to disturb the performer dance and floor skills are important in Beam work they are used as transitional moves and often keep the routine moving in a balance beam routine the gymnast has 1 minute and 20 seconds to a minute and 45 seconds to present a combination of moves the routine should flow smoothly and have variety again all stunts and moves used on the beam should be learned on the floor first with practice for balance and control the gymnast can accomplish a full routine projecting skill Grace and [Music] beauty