How to teach scissors on pommel horse: 22 drills
You teach scissors on pommel horse by building a strong support and side-to-side leg swing, then teaching the hip lift and leg crossing on low equipment before working on the horse. This series of 22 drills is for men's gymnastics coaches working with gymnasts who can already hold a solid support and swing on the pommels.
22 video steps · pommel-horse
Step 1 of 22, free: Scissor 1
The phases
- Support: hold a tight support on straight arms with the shoulders over the hands.
- Leg swing: swing the legs side to side in a straddle while the support stays stable.
- Weight shift: move the weight from one arm to the other in time with the swing.
- Hip lift: lift the hips high at the end of each swing to make room for the cross.
- Leg crossing: cross the legs in the air and continue the swing into the next scissor.
Before you start
The gymnast should hold a solid support on the pommels and do basic leg swings and single leg cuts.
Common mistakes
- Low hips: the legs cannot cross cleanly.
- Bent arms: the support collapses and the swing loses height.
- Late weight shift: the gymnast stalls on one arm.
- Bent knees in the cross: the movement looks loose and loses amplitude.
Coaching cues
- Push tall
- Hips up
- Shift the weight
- Straight legs, cross
All 22 steps
- Scissor 1
- Scissor 2
- Scissor 3
- Scissor 4
- Scissor 5
- Scissor 6
- Scissor 7
- Scissor 8
- Scissor 9
- Scissor 10
- Scissor 11
- Scissor 12
- Scissor 13
- Scissor 14
- Scissor 15
- Scissor 16
- Scissor 17
- Scissor 18
- Scissor 19
- Scissor 20
- Scissor 21
- Scissor 22
Frequently asked questions
What should gymnasts learn before scissors?
A strong support, side-to-side leg swing and single leg cuts. Many coaches also use floor drills and low equipment like a mushroom to train the timing.
Why does my gymnast fall during scissors?
Usually the hips are too low or the weight shift is late. Work on the support, hip lift and timing of the weight shift on lower equipment first.
How long does it take to learn scissors?
It varies. Strength, coordination and practice time all play a role. Breaking it into separate support, swing and crossing drills usually gives steadier progress than repeating the full skill.
What is a Scissors? Read the glossary entry