balance beam
The beam routine must last between 70 and 90
seconds and cover the entire length of the beam. The gymnast must use
acrobatic, gymnastics and dance movements to create high points, or peaks
in the exercise, consisting of two or more elements performed in a series.
An example of an acrobatic series is a cartwheel into a back handspring
into a back salto. A gymnastics series might consist of a turn, followed
by a split jump.
There are several special requirements on the balance beam: one acrobatic
series including at least two flight elements; a turn on one leg of at
least 360 degrees; a large gymnastics leap or jump with great amplitude;
one gymnastics/acrobatics series; one gymnastics series; an element close
to the beam, and a dismount with a minimum of a "B" value for
team competition, "C" value for all-around competition, and
"D" value for event finals. If any of these are missing, a deduction
of 0.20 is taken.
The overall execution should give the impression that the gymnast is performing
on a floor, not on a strip four inches wide. Watch for variations in rhythm,
changes in level (from sitting on the beam to sailing high above it),
and the harmonious blend of gymnastics and acrobatic elements.
The balance beam stands 120 cm high. It is 10 cm wide and 500 cm long.
It takes courage and concentration to perform difficult tumbling and dance
skills on a 4-inch wide beam four feet above the ground.
Text taken from www.usa-gymnastics.org
