What level do gymnasts learn a Beam Switch Leap?

Gymnasts usually learn a Beam Switch Leap between Levels 5 and 6. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.

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

About 5 weeks once a Beam Split Leap is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Step-On Mount, the whole progression adds up to about 10 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.

What should my gymnast learn before a Beam Switch Leap?

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

What are the most common deductions on a Beam Switch 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 Switch Leap

A Beam Switch Leap is a leap on balance beam that gymnasts usually learn between Levels 5 and 6, once a Beam Split Leap is solid.

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

Quick facts

Apparatus	Balance Beam
Typical level (estimate)	Levels 5-6
Difficulty (Stickd rating)	6/10
Time to learn after the prerequisite (estimate)	About 5 weeks
Whole progression (estimate)	About 10 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 Switch Leap

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

Step-On Mount (Levels 1-2)
Beam Split Leap (Levels 3-4)

Helpful but not required

Switch Leap

Step-by-step progression

The path to a Beam Switch Leap has 3 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 until it is solid, usually between Levels 3 and 4. About 4 weeks (estimate).
3
Beam Switch Leap
Learn a Beam Switch Leap. Allow about 5 weeks once the step before it is solid (estimate).

Drills that build a Beam Switch Leap

What good form looks like

Leap with leg position change on beam.

hips: open
knees: straight

Common deductions on a Beam Switch 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.

Watch an example

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

Frequently asked questions

What level do gymnasts learn a Beam Switch Leap?: Gymnasts usually learn a Beam Switch Leap between Levels 5 and 6. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.
How long does it take to learn a Beam Switch Leap?: About 5 weeks once a Beam Split Leap is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Step-On Mount, the whole progression adds up to about 10 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.
What should my gymnast learn before a Beam Switch Leap?: Beam Split Leap comes directly before it. The full progression is Step-On Mount, then Beam Split Leap, then Beam Switch Leap. Helpful but not required: Switch Leap.
What are the most common deductions on a Beam Switch 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.