How to teach leaps on beam: 23 drills, step by step

Name: Beam Leaps 1
Uploaded: 2026-02-06
Description: You teach beam leaps by training the leap on the floor and a line first, then on a low beam, keeping the take-off straight, the split active and the landing over the beam. This series builds split and straddle leaps for beam. It is for coaches of developing beam workers.

You teach beam leaps by training the leap on the floor and a line first, then on a low beam, keeping the take-off straight, the split active and the landing over the beam. This series builds split and straddle leaps for beam. It is for coaches of developing beam workers.

23 video steps · beam

Step 1 of 23, free: Beam Leaps 1

The phases

Take-off: push off from one foot with hips and shoulders square over the beam.
Split in the air: kick the front leg and lift the back leg actively to reach the split.
Body posture: keep the chest up and the arms controlled during flight.
Landing: land on one foot with the hips over the beam and absorb with control.
Connection: link leaps to other elements without stopping.

Before you start

The gymnast should do clean split leaps on the floor, walk and balance confidently on beam and have good active flexibility in the hips.

Common mistakes

Leaping forward instead of up: the gymnast travels off the line and loses balance.
Passive back leg: the split is short and the leap looks small.
Hips turning out: the landing is off the beam.
Chest dropping: the posture breaks and the landing is heavy.

Coaching cues

Up, not out
Kick front, lift back
Hips square
Land soft over the beam

All 23 steps

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a bigger split leap on beam?

Combine active flexibility work with a fast leg kick and lift of the back leg. Train the full split leap on the floor and low beam first. Height on take-off gives the legs time to reach the split.

When can a gymnast move leaps from floor to beam?

When the leap is consistent and straight on the floor and on a line, with a controlled one-foot landing. Then use a low beam or beam on mats before moving to the high beam.