How to teach baby giants: 6 drills toward the giant

Name: Baby Giants Drill 1
Uploaded: 2026-02-06
Description: You teach a baby giant by having the gymnast circle the bar from a cast or handstand with a shortened body, so they learn the swing rhythm and shoulder action of a giant with less speed. This short series on uneven bars builds that pattern. It is for coaches preparing gymnasts for full giants.

You teach a baby giant by having the gymnast circle the bar from a cast or handstand with a shortened body, so they learn the swing rhythm and shoulder action of a giant with less speed. This short series on uneven bars builds that pattern. It is for coaches preparing gymnasts for full giants.

6 video steps · uneven-bars

Step 1 of 6, free: Baby Giants Drill 1

The phases

Cast and start position: begin from a high cast or near handstand with good body tension.
Downswing: drop with a controlled shape and keep the arms straight.
Bottom and tap: use the shoulders and a tap action to create speed under the bar.
Upswing and regrip: come over the top with the wrists turning over to stay on the bar.

Before you start

The gymnast should have a strong cast, a good tap swing and enough grip strength; many coaches also require handguards and a bar loop or spotting setup.

Common mistakes

Bent arms: the circle loses speed and the gymnast cannot get over the top.
Late tap: no energy for the upswing.
No wrist shift at the top: the gymnast cannot stay on the bar safely.
Loose body: the swing is uneven and hard to control.

Coaching cues

Arms straight, stay long
Tap at the bottom
Shift the wrists over

All 6 steps

Frequently asked questions

What is a baby giant?

A baby giant is a lead-up to the giant. The gymnast circles the bar in a shorter or piked shape, often on the low bar and with some form of support, to learn the rhythm and wrist shift before doing a full stretched giant.

When is a gymnast ready for full giants?

When baby giants and tap swings are consistent, the cast reaches near handstand and the wrist shift is automatic. The coach decides together with the gymnast based on control, not just on attempts that happen to work.

What is a Baby Giants? Read the glossary entry