Gymnastics technique analysis: 17 skills broken down phase by phase

Name: Technical Analysis 1
Uploaded: 2026-02-07
Description: To analyze a gymnastics skill, split it into phases, define the key position in each phase and compare what you see with that model. This series does that for a range of skills across apparatus. It is for club coaches who want a clearer eye for technique before choosing drills or corrections.

To analyze a gymnastics skill, split it into phases, define the key position in each phase and compare what you see with that model. This series does that for a range of skills across apparatus. It is for club coaches who want a clearer eye for technique before choosing drills or corrections.

17 video steps · all

Step 1 of 17, free: Technical Analysis 1

The phases

Phase breakdown: learn to split a skill into start, main action and finish so each part can be judged on its own.
Key positions: know the body shape the gymnast should show at each moment, such as hollow, arch or open shoulders.
Error spotting: recognize which visible fault comes from an earlier phase, so you correct the cause and not the symptom.
Linking to drills: choose drills that target the phase where the skill breaks down.

Before you start

Suits coaches at any level; the gymnast needs nothing, but a basic knowledge of gymnastics terms helps you get more out of each analysis.

Common mistakes

Correcting the end of a skill only: the real cause, often earlier in the take-off or swing, stays in place.
Giving several corrections at once: the gymnast cannot focus and nothing changes.
Judging only at full speed: short faults in fast skills are missed; slow-motion video helps.
Copying an elite model for beginners: the technical goal does not fit the gymnast's level.

Coaching cues

Fix the first fault first
One correction per turn
Watch the phase, not the result

All 17 steps

Frequently asked questions

Why break a skill into phases?

Phases let you see where a skill actually goes wrong. A poor landing often starts with a weak take-off or a bent body earlier on. Once you know the phase, you can pick a drill that targets it instead of repeating the whole skill.

Do I need video to analyze technique?

It is not required, but it helps a lot. Fast skills hide short faults that are easy to miss live. Filming with a phone and playing back slowly lets you and the gymnast see the same thing and agree on one correction.