What level do gymnasts learn a Beam Split Leap?

Gymnasts usually learn a Beam Split Leap between Levels 3 and 4. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.

How long does it take to learn a Beam Split Leap?

About 4 weeks once a Step-On Mount is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Step-On Mount, the whole progression adds up to about 5 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.

What should my gymnast learn before a Beam Split Leap?

Step-On Mount comes directly before it. The full progression is Step-On Mount, then Beam Split Leap. Helpful but not required: Split Leap.

What are the most common deductions on a Beam Split Leap?

The ones to watch for are Insufficient Split (usually about 0.1), Step on Landing (usually about 0.1), Low Leap Height (usually about 0.1) and Balance Check (usually about 0.1). Judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is.

How to do a Beam Split Leap

A Beam Split Leap is a leap on balance beam that gymnasts usually learn between Levels 3 and 4, once a Step-On Mount is solid.

Also called: split leap on beam, leap on beam.

Quick facts

Apparatus	Balance Beam
Typical level (estimate)	Levels 3-4
Difficulty (Stickd rating)	4/10
Time to learn after the prerequisite (estimate)	About 4 weeks
Whole progression (estimate)	About 5 weeks from a Step-On Mount
Fear factor (Stickd rating)	2/5

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

What to learn before a Beam Split Leap

Work through these skills in order. Each one is a required step toward a Beam Split Leap.

Step-On Mount (Levels 1-2)

Helpful but not required

Split Leap

Step-by-step progression

The path to a Beam Split Leap has 2 steps. Week counts are typical estimates for regular training.

1
Step-On Mount
Learn a Step-On Mount until it is solid, usually between Levels 1 and 2. About 1 week (estimate).
2
Beam Split Leap
Learn a Beam Split Leap. Allow about 4 weeks once the step before it is solid (estimate).

Drills that build a Beam Split Leap

What good form looks like

Leap from one foot with the legs in a split, on beam.

hips: open
knees: straight

Common deductions on a Beam Split Leap

Deduction	What it means	Typically
Insufficient Split	Split not reaching 180 degrees in leaps and jumps	0.1
Step on Landing	Taking a step after landing a skill	0.1
Low Leap Height	Leap or jump does not achieve sufficient height off the apparatus	0.1
Balance Check	Wobble or pause to regain balance on beam	0.1

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

Skills a Beam Split Leap unlocks

Beam Switch Leap (Balance Beam, Levels 5-6)

Watch an example

Watch a Beam Split Leap tutorial on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

Frequently asked questions

What level do gymnasts learn a Beam Split Leap?: Gymnasts usually learn a Beam Split Leap between Levels 3 and 4. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.
How long does it take to learn a Beam Split Leap?: About 4 weeks once a Step-On Mount is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Step-On Mount, the whole progression adds up to about 5 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.
What should my gymnast learn before a Beam Split Leap?: Step-On Mount comes directly before it. The full progression is Step-On Mount, then Beam Split Leap. Helpful but not required: Split Leap.
What are the most common deductions on a Beam Split Leap?: The ones to watch for are Insufficient Split (usually about 0.1), Step on Landing (usually about 0.1), Low Leap Height (usually about 0.1) and Balance Check (usually about 0.1). Judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is.