Gymnastics Glossary

BACK WALKOVER

a gymnastic move in which a person leans forward to perform a handstand, then arches backward to a similar handstand and moves the feet to the floor

BALANCE BEAM

a piece of gymnastic equipment that is a narrow, horizontal beam raised off the floor

CORE

the muscles that lie deep in the pelvis, abdomen, and rear end

LAYOUT STEP-OUT

a gymnastic jump in which a gymnast jumps with both feet, pushing the body upward, and flips in the air with legs together, landing first on one foot, then on the other

PELVIC MUSCLES

muscles that lie like a hammock across the pelvis and support the pelvic organs

PRANCES

high, springy steps

UNEVEN BARS

a pair of parallel bars set at different heights; part of women’s gymnastic equipment

VAULT

a piece of gymnastic equipment similar to a table, which the gymnast uses as a springboard for flips and other maneuvers