Stick Landing Drills (Vault)
Stick Landing Drills is a beginner-level vault drill that works on step on landing, hop on landing and deep squat on landing. Practice sticking landings from various heights to reduce landing deductions.
Quick facts
- Event
- Vault
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Equipment
- panel mat, landing mat
- Time per round
- about 2 minutes
- Muscles
- Quadriceps, Glutes, Calves, Core, Ankles & Feet
How to do Stick Landing Drills
Low Box Jumps
Start by jumping off a low surface (12 inches). Land with both feet simultaneously, arms forward, slight knee bend.
Cues: Both feet together · Arms forward · Slight knee bend
Medium Height
Progress to a medium height (24 inches). Focus on absorbing the landing through your legs without any steps or hops.
Cues: Absorb through legs · No steps · Stick it
Add Quarter Turn
Jump with a quarter turn before landing. This simulates dismount rotations. Stick each one before progressing.
Cues: Quarter turn in air · Spot landing · Stick before next
Add Half Turn
Progress to half-turn landings. Maintain awareness of landing position and absorb with control.
Cues: Half turn · Find the floor · Controlled absorption
Present and Hold
After each stick landing, practice the competition presentation: stand tall, arms up, hold for 3 seconds.
Cues: Stand tall · Arms up · Hold 3 seconds · Salute
Practice this drill under a qualified coach, especially for inversions and flight.
Fixes these deductions
Builds these skills
- Back Tuck typically Level 5-6
- Back Layout typically Level 6-7
- Full Twist typically Level 7-8
- Front Tuck typically Level 6-7
- Back Pike typically Level 6-7
- Front Full typically Level 8-9
- Flyaway Layout typically Level 7-8
- Pak Salto typically Level 7-8
- Beam Back Handspring typically Level 6-7
- Beam Round-Off Dismount typically Level 4-5
- Beam Back Tuck typically Level 7-8
- Front Handspring Vault typically Level 5-6
- Yurchenko Tuck typically Level 7-8
- Yurchenko Layout typically Level 8-9
- Yurchenko Full typically Level 9-10
- Handspring Front Tuck Vault typically Level 7-8
- Tsukahara typically Level 8-9
Video
Watch a demonstration “Get More STUCK LANDINGS in Gymnastics With These 5 Drills!” by SHIFT Movement Science and Gymnastics Education, on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
Common questions
- What does Stick Landing Drills help with?
- Stick Landing Drills targets step on landing, hop on landing and deep squat on landing. Practice sticking landings from various heights to reduce landing deductions.
- What level is Stick Landing Drills for?
- Stickd rates Stick Landing Drills as a beginner drill. It is part of the progression for Back Tuck (typically Level 5-6), Back Layout (typically Level 6-7), Full Twist (typically Level 7-8), Front Tuck (typically Level 6-7), Back Pike (typically Level 6-7), Front Full (typically Level 8-9), Flyaway Layout (typically Level 7-8), Pak Salto (typically Level 7-8), Beam Back Handspring (typically Level 6-7), Beam Round-Off Dismount (typically Level 4-5), Beam Back Tuck (typically Level 7-8), Front Handspring Vault (typically Level 5-6), Yurchenko Tuck (typically Level 7-8), Yurchenko Layout (typically Level 8-9), Yurchenko Full (typically Level 9-10), Handspring Front Tuck Vault (typically Level 7-8) and Tsukahara (typically Level 8-9).
Related drills
- Landing Correction Drills
beginner · Floor Exercise
- Yurchenko Timer Drills
advanced · Vault
- Round-Off Rebound Drills
intermediate · Floor Exercise
- Safe Landing & Falling Technique
beginner · Floor Exercise