How to teach giant swings: 37 drills, step by step
You teach giants by first mastering a strong tap swing and cast to handstand, then training the shape changes of the giant, the tap at the bottom and the hollow on the way up, with spotting, straps or a training bar before going solo. This series of 37 drills is for uneven bars and high bar coaches.
37 video steps · uneven-bars, high-bar
Step 1 of 37, free: Giants - Drill 1
The phases
- Handstand on the bar: cast or kick to a straight handstand with open shoulders and a tight body.
- Downswing: fall from handstand in a long, stretched line without piking.
- Tap at the bottom: pass through a slight arch and tap into a hollow to drive the legs up.
- Upswing: keep the hollow and push the shoulders open as the body rises over the bar.
- Regrasp and finish: shift the grip over the top and arrive in handstand, ready to connect.
Before you start
The gymnast should have a strong tap swing, a cast to or near handstand, and safe grips or dowel grips.
Common mistakes
- Late or weak tap: not enough energy to get over the top.
- Piking on the downswing: the swing is short and momentum is lost.
- Closing the shoulders on the upswing: the gymnast stalls before handstand.
- Not shifting the grip: the hands lose the bar or the gymnast hangs low over the top.
Coaching cues
- Long and stretched down
- Tap through the bottom
- Hollow and push
- Shift the hands over the top
All 37 steps
- Giants - Drill 1
- Giants - Drill 2
- Giants - Drill 3
- Giants - Drill 4
- Giants - Drill 5
- Giants - Drill 6
- Giants - Drill 7
- Giants - Drill 8
- Giants - Drill 9
- Giants - Drill 10
- Giants - Drill 11
- Giants - Drill 12
- Giants - Drill 13
- Giants - Drill 14
- Giants - Drill 15
- Giants - Drill 16
- Giants - Drill 17
- Giants - Drill 18
- Giants - Drill 19
- Giants - Drill 20
- Giants - Drill 21
- Giants - Drill 22
- Giants - Drill 23
- Giants - Drill 24
- Giants - Drill 25
- Giants - Drill 26
- Giants - Drill 27
- Giants - Drill 28
- Giants - Drill 29
- Giants - Drill 30
- Giants - Drill 31
- Giants - Drill 32
- Giants - Drill 33
- Giants - Drill 34
- Giants - Drill 35
- Giants - Drill 36
- Giants - Drill 37
Frequently asked questions
What should gymnasts master before giants?
A strong tap swing, a cast close to handstand and good body tension in hollow and arch. Most coaches also teach how to bail safely from a swing before giants are attempted.
Are giants on uneven bars and high bar the same?
The basic technique is the same: long downswing, tap, hollow upswing. High bar is more flexible and allows bigger swings, so timing and grip technique differ slightly between the two.
Do gymnasts need grips for giants?
Most coaches use grips or dowel grips once giants are trained regularly, because they help hold the bar and protect the hands. Fit and wear-in matter; have a coach check them.
What is a Giants? Read the glossary entry