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The Arm Swing

Other names for this skill: arm circle

Basic skill

• Before any running approaches are used to the vault the gymnast should understand a proper arm swing. On a spring floor work hurdle to punch with an upwards arm swing. This should be comfortable and consistant before moving to a spring board.
• The arm swing is a very important and often undertrained componant of vaulting. Many younger gymnasts don't have a proper arm swing and later have to relearn their vault approach.
• The arm swing should enhance the lift generated by the springboard. This entails swinging the arms upward as the gymnast punches off the board.
• Work straight jumps off a spring board onto a large mat or stacked mats. The gymnast should be able to do this without any forward rotation. An aggressive arm swing and properly extending their feet in front of their hips will result in the proper take off.