Gymnastics Splits

Skills is a term used to define a single gymnastic movement such as gymnastic splits. A gymnastic split is one skill applicable in various routines performed by a gymnast. You see on the television gymnastic girls doing splits – either right splits or middle splits, on the balance beam. Another place where a gymnastics split is inserted is in a floor routine. When you see gymnastic girls doing the splits as part of their balance beam routine, it is but one element of a fully integrated move. A split in gymnastics on the beam may even be part of the initial forward mount or flow from a V sit or knee scale.

On the floor, gymnastic splits can be an integral part of a very basic or complicated routine. A cartwheel or handstand can end with splits. A forward roll or backward tuck roll can move seamlessly into splits. Star jumps, in which you extend your arms and legs into a star position, can lend themselves to splits, as can many other basic or complex moves on the floor. It is essential, therefore, to know how to do gymnastics split to highlight or complete a movement or to even act as a transitional move segueing from one skill to the next.

	More Info

Gymnastic splits require flexibility. You cannot perform them without first preparing your body for the action. The key to achieving and maintaining such flexibility is stretching. At the beginning of each class, gymnasts sit on the floor exercise mat and begin to warm up. Before actually stretching their body, they need to warm up their muscles, making them active through running or jumping. Only after a period of warming up can a gymnast begin to stretch.

Once muscles are loosened, a gymnast can begin to stretch the leg muscles. Any ballistic movements will stretch or push the muscles reflex by a bouncing motion. The static motion of stretching is holding a position at a point where the muscles pull. In either case, you do not push the muscles initially beyond the slight pull. After stretching your legs a bit further in the split position, you hold it for 30 seconds to a minute. Next, you rest a moment before, once again, pushing the muscles, holding for 30 seconds then resting. This inches forward the positioning of your legs in a full split. It also increases muscle and leg flexibility allowing your body to form complete splits with facility each time. You should never attempt splits without a warm up and stretching. To do so will increase the possibility of muscle damage.