What level do gymnasts learn a Back Layout?

Gymnasts usually learn a Back Layout between Levels 6 and 7. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.

How long does it take to learn a Back Layout?

About 4 weeks once a Back Tuck is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Handstand, the whole progression adds up to about 24 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.

What should my gymnast learn before a Back Layout?

Back Tuck comes directly before it. The full progression is Handstand, then Cartwheel, then Roundoff, then Back Handspring, then Back Tuck, then Back Layout.

What are the most common deductions on a Back Layout?

The ones to watch for are Arch in Back (usually about 0.1), Pike in Body (up to 0.20), Step on Landing (usually about 0.1) and Body Alignment (usually about 0.1). Judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is.

Is a Back Layout scary to learn?

It can be. Stickd rates its fear factor 4 out of 5 because it involves going backward without being able to see where you're headed and height off the ground. Techniques like Box Breathing and Power Cue Words help gymnasts build confidence.

How to do a Back Layout

A Back Layout is a tumbling skill on floor exercise that gymnasts usually learn between Levels 6 and 7, once a Back Tuck is solid.

Also called: layout, back salto layout, back salto stretched.

Quick facts

Apparatus	Floor Exercise
Typical level (estimate)	Levels 6-7
Difficulty (Stickd rating)	7/10
Time to learn after the prerequisite (estimate)	About 4 weeks
Whole progression (estimate)	About 24 weeks from a Handstand
Fear factor (Stickd rating)	4/5

Levels, ratings and timelines are Stickd estimates for planning, not USAG requirements.

What to learn before a Back Layout

Work through these skills in order. Each one is a required step toward a Back Layout.

Handstand (Levels 1-2)
Cartwheel (Level 2)
Roundoff (Level 3)
Back Handspring (Levels 4-5)
Back Tuck (Levels 5-6)

Step-by-step progression

The path to a Back Layout has 6 steps. Week counts are typical estimates for regular training.

1
Handstand
Learn a Handstand until it is solid, usually between Levels 1 and 2. About 3 weeks (estimate).
2
Cartwheel
Learn a Cartwheel until it is solid, usually around Level 2. About 2 weeks (estimate).
3
Roundoff
Learn a Roundoff until it is solid, usually around Level 3. About 3 weeks (estimate).
4
Back Handspring
Learn a Back Handspring until it is solid, usually between Levels 4 and 5. About 6 weeks (estimate).
5
Back Tuck
Learn a Back Tuck until it is solid, usually between Levels 5 and 6. About 6 weeks (estimate).
6
Back Layout
Learn a Back Layout. Allow about 4 weeks once the step before it is solid (estimate).

Drills that build a Back Layout

Technique focus areas: Set angle, Landing.

What good form looks like

Backward aerial rotation with fully extended body position.

shoulders: open
elbows: straight
hips: extended
knees: straight
spine: neutral

Common deductions on a Back Layout

Deduction	What it means	Typically
Arch in Back	Excessive arch in lower back during skills	0.1
Pike in Body	Hip angle showing pike when straight position required	up to 0.20
Step on Landing	Taking a step after landing a skill	0.1
Body Alignment	Body not in proper line (arch, pike, or lean)	0.1

Typical values; judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is, and the judges' score is the official one.

Fear and confidence

Stickd rates a Back Layout 4 out of 5 for fear. It involves going backward without being able to see where you're headed, height off the ground. Feeling nervous about it is normal, and confidence usually builds step by step through the progression above.

Mental techniques that help

Box Breathing
A 4-count breathing pattern to calm your nervous system before attempting a scary skill.
Power Cue Words
Choose 1-2 words that trigger your best performance state and say them before each attempt.
Fear Ladder
Break the scary skill into a ladder of progressively challenging steps.

Skills a Back Layout unlocks

Full Twist (Floor Exercise, Levels 7-8)

Watch an example

Watch a Back Layout tutorial on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

Frequently asked questions

What level do gymnasts learn a Back Layout?: Gymnasts usually learn a Back Layout between Levels 6 and 7. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.
How long does it take to learn a Back Layout?: About 4 weeks once a Back Tuck is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Handstand, the whole progression adds up to about 24 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.
What should my gymnast learn before a Back Layout?: Back Tuck comes directly before it. The full progression is Handstand, then Cartwheel, then Roundoff, then Back Handspring, then Back Tuck, then Back Layout.
What are the most common deductions on a Back Layout?: The ones to watch for are Arch in Back (usually about 0.1), Pike in Body (up to 0.20), Step on Landing (usually about 0.1) and Body Alignment (usually about 0.1). Judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is.
Is a Back Layout scary to learn?: It can be. Stickd rates its fear factor 4 out of 5 because it involves going backward without being able to see where you're headed and height off the ground. Techniques like Box Breathing and Power Cue Words help gymnasts build confidence.