How to teach turns and leaps on the beam: 3 drills
Teach turns and leaps on beam by mastering them on the floor and a line first, then a low beam, and only then the high beam. This short series gives coaches drills for balance on relevé, controlled turns and leaps that land on the beam. It suits gymnasts starting beam routines in recreational and early competitive programs.
3 video steps · beam
Step 1 of 3, free: Turns & Leaps Drill 1
The phases
- Relevé balance: stand tall on the balls of the feet with hips square and core tight.
- Turns: turn on one foot with the body held tall and the eyes fixed at the finish.
- Leaps: take off and land on the beam line with control and an upright chest.
Before you start
The gymnast should be able to walk, relevé and do basic jumps on a low beam with control.
Common mistakes
- Dropping the heel during the turn: the turn stops early or wobbles.
- Looking down at the feet: balance gets worse and posture collapses.
- Landing off the line: the gymnast loses balance or falls after the leap.
Coaching cues
- Tall and tight
- Eyes on the end of the beam
- Land soft on the line
All 3 steps
Frequently asked questions
Should turns and leaps be practised on the floor first?
Yes. A line on the floor and a low beam let gymnasts focus on technique without fear of falling. Move to the high beam once the skill is stable lower down.
Why does my gymnast wobble after a turn?
Common reasons are a dropped heel, loose core or the eyes not spotting a fixed point. Practise holding the finish position on relevé for a few seconds after every turn.