How to do a Flyaway Layout
A Flyaway Layout is a dismount on uneven bars that gymnasts usually learn between Levels 7 and 8, once a Giant is solid.
Also called: flyaway, dismount layout, layout flyaway.
Quick facts
| Apparatus | Uneven Bars |
|---|---|
| Typical level (estimate) | Levels 7-8 |
| Difficulty (Stickd rating) | 7/10 |
| Time to learn after the prerequisite (estimate) | About 4 weeks |
| Whole progression (estimate) | About 20 weeks from a Kip |
| Fear factor (Stickd rating) | 4/5 |
Levels, ratings and timelines are Stickd estimates for planning, not USAG requirements.
What to learn before a Flyaway Layout
Work through these skills in order. Each one is a required step toward a Flyaway Layout.
- Kip (Levels 4-5)
- Cast Handstand (Levels 5-6)
- Giant (Levels 7-8)
Step-by-step progression
The path to a Flyaway Layout has 4 steps. Week counts are typical estimates for regular training.
- 1
Kip
Learn a Kip until it is solid, usually between Levels 4 and 5. About 6 weeks (estimate).
- 2
Cast Handstand
Learn a Cast Handstand until it is solid, usually between Levels 5 and 6. About 4 weeks (estimate).
- 3
Giant
Learn a Giant until it is solid, usually between Levels 7 and 8. About 6 weeks (estimate).
- 4
Flyaway Layout
Learn a Flyaway Layout. Allow about 4 weeks once the step before it is solid (estimate).
Drills that build a Flyaway Layout
- Flyaway Layout Dismount Drills
- Release Move Timing Drills
- Tap Swing Drills
- Stick Landing Drills
- Landing Correction Drills
Technique focus areas: Landing, Release timing.
What good form looks like
Dismount with backward aerial rotation in extended position.
- shoulders: open
- hips: extended
- knees: straight
Common deductions on a Flyaway Layout
| Deduction | What it means | Typically |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Flyaway Layout 4 out of 5 for fear. It involves letting go of the bar, 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.
Fear Ladder
Break the scary skill into a ladder of progressively challenging steps.
Positive Self-Talk Reframe
Replace negative fear thoughts with accurate, empowering statements.
Watch an example
Watch a Flyaway Layout tutorial on YouTube (opens in a new tab).
Frequently asked questions
- What level do gymnasts learn a Flyaway Layout?
- Gymnasts usually learn a Flyaway Layout between Levels 7 and 8. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.
- How long does it take to learn a Flyaway Layout?
- About 4 weeks once a Giant is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Kip, the whole progression adds up to about 20 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.
- What should my gymnast learn before a Flyaway Layout?
- Giant comes directly before it. The full progression is Kip, then Cast Handstand, then Giant, then Flyaway Layout.
- What are the most common deductions on a Flyaway Layout?
- The ones to watch for are 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 Flyaway Layout scary to learn?
- It can be. Stickd rates its fear factor 4 out of 5 because it involves letting go of the bar, going backward without being able to see where you're headed and height off the ground. Techniques like Box Breathing and Fear Ladder help gymnasts build confidence.