How to teach the flyaway: 24 drills, step by step

Name: Flyaway Drill 14
Uploaded: 2026-02-06
Description: You teach the flyaway by first building a strong long-hang swing with an active tap, then teaching the release and backward rotation into soft mats before adding height. This series takes gymnasts from swing work to a flyaway dismount on uneven bars. It is for club coaches preparing a first bars dismount.

You teach the flyaway by first building a strong long-hang swing with an active tap, then teaching the release and backward rotation into soft mats before adding height. This series takes gymnasts from swing work to a flyaway dismount on uneven bars. It is for club coaches preparing a first bars dismount.

24 video steps · uneven-bars

Step 1 of 24, free: Flyaway Drill 14

The phases

Tap swing: build a long swing with an arch-to-hollow tap that drives the feet forward and up.
Release: let go at the right moment, as the feet rise in front of the bar, without pulling the bar backward.
Rotation: keep a tight body shape and pull the feet over, with the head neutral, to complete the backward salto.
Landing: open out and land with bent knees and the chest up, controlling the finish.

Before you start

The gymnast should have a controlled long-hang swing with a tap and be comfortable rotating backward, for example a back tuck on trampoline or into a pit.

Common mistakes

Releasing too early: the gymnast travels backward toward the bar instead of up and away.
Releasing too late: the body flies forward with little height and the rotation falls short.
Weak tap: no lift on the front swing, so there is not enough height to rotate.
Throwing the head back: the body arches and loses shape during the salto.

Coaching cues

Tap, then toes up
Let go as the feet rise
Stay tight, see the landing

All 24 steps

Frequently asked questions

What should a gymnast master before a flyaway?

A strong, rhythmic tap swing in long hang and confidence rotating backward. Most coaches also want a back tuck on trampoline or into a pit first. Without a good tap, the flyaway lacks height and the release timing is hard to learn.

Where should I teach the first flyaway?

Usually from the low or a single bar over a thick landing mat or pit, often with a coach spotting. Many clubs start with releases into soft mats before adding the full rotation. Use the setup your club and your spotting experience support.

What is a Flyaway? Read the glossary entry