horizontal bar

The most crowd-pleasing and spectacular of all the events, the horizontal bar consists of swings, release moves and high-flying dismounts.

Routines should contain of swinging parts without stops. The parts are generally call giant swings, with more specific terms applying to changes in grip, direction and body position.

The gymnast is required to execute at least one move in which he releases and regrasps the bar (release move), and to perform at least one element passing through the lower vertical with both hands in el-grip or in a rearways hang; a dorsal hang position used in inverted and German giant swings or with an eagle grip in which the wrists are rolled outward until the thumbs are on the outside of the grip, pointing away from each other.

The gymnast is also required to perform an in-bar skill like a stalder circle. The higher level routine will have multiple release moves. Gymnasts receive bonus points for connecting higher level difficulty skills. Look for high flying dismounts with multiple somersaults and twists.
Standing 275 cm tall, the horizontal bar is 240 cm long and 2.8 cm in diameter. The horizontal bar is commonly referred to as the
high bar.

Gymnasts must perform very difficult release moves that have a small margin of error. Many of the release moves can occur 10-12 feet over the bar, requiring a fearless and aggressive effort. A missed release move can mean losing the all-around title, not winning an individual event medal or not making "the team".
Text taken from www.usa-gymnastics.org