vaulting table
Vaults in women's gymnastics are grouped into
four categories and can be performed in different body positions, such
as tucked, piked or stretched. The groups are:
1. forward approach vaults without a flip
2. forward approach vaults with a flip in post-flight
3. vaults with a 1⁄2 turn onto the horse and a flip in post-flight
4. vaults (with or without flips) from a Round-off onto the springboard.
A successful vault begins with a strong, accelerated run. The best vaulters
explode off the board, raising their feet up over their head with tremendous
quickness during the preflight phase of the vault from the springboard
to contact with the horse. During the support phase (when the gymnast
pushes off the horse) the judges are looking
for proper body, shoulder and hand position and an instantaneous repulsion.
The second flight phase and the landing are
critical areas. Watch for the height and distance traveled, as well as
the number of saltos and twists. In addition, gymnasts must "stick"
their landing, by taking no extra steps. Usually the more saltos and twists,
the higher the difficulty value of the vault.
The vaulting horse stands 120 cm tall and is 35 cm wide by 160 cm long.
The runway is 1 m wide and a maximum of 25 m long. All mats surrounding
the women's apparatus are 12 cm thick.
The athletes must give ont one, but two all-out efforts that must be successful.
It is extremely difficult to perform two 9.9 or 10.0 vaults, whereas,
most world-class athletes can achieve a 10.0 start value on the other
events.
A good vault is sometimes described as a "big"
vault. The height, the distance of travel (even though bonus points are
no longer awarded for exceptional distance), the overall acceleration
into the vault, and the sudden impact of a no-step, suck
landing all create a good impression for the judges.
Everything happens very quickly, so the gymnast must stay intensely focused
and be prepared for the ground when it's time to land. Vaulting requires
speed, power and spatial awareness to perform high level vaults correctly.
Text taken from www.usa-gymnastics.org
