How to do a Giant
A Giant is a bar skill on uneven bars that gymnasts usually learn between Levels 7 and 8, once a Cast Handstand is solid.
Also called: giant swing, giants.
Quick facts
| Apparatus | Uneven Bars |
|---|---|
| Typical level (estimate) | Levels 7-8 |
| Difficulty (Stickd rating) | 7/10 |
| Time to learn after the prerequisite (estimate) | About 6 weeks |
| Whole progression (estimate) | About 16 weeks from a Kip |
| Fear factor (Stickd rating) | 3/5 |
Levels, ratings and timelines are Stickd estimates for planning, not USAG requirements.
What to learn before a Giant
Work through these skills in order. Each one is a required step toward a Giant.
- Kip (Levels 4-5)
- Cast Handstand (Levels 5-6)
Step-by-step progression
The path to a Giant has 3 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. Allow about 6 weeks once the step before it is solid (estimate).
Drills that build a Giant
What good form looks like
Full 360-degree swing around bar in stretched position.
- shoulders: extended
- elbows: straight_around_bar
- hips: extended
- knees: straight
Common deductions on a Giant
| Deduction | What it means | Typically |
|---|---|---|
| Pike in Body | Hip angle showing pike when straight position required | up to 0.20 |
| Insufficient Amplitude | Not enough height or extension on jumps, leaps, or tumbling | up to 0.20 |
| Body Alignment | Body not in proper line (arch, pike, or lean) | 0.1 |
| Shoulder Angle | Shoulders not open to 180 degrees in handstand positions | 0.1 |
| Bent Arms | Arms not fully extended when they should be straight | 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 Giant 3 out of 5 for fear. It involves height off the ground, going backward without being able to see where you're headed, being upside down. 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.
Positive Self-Talk Reframe
Replace negative fear thoughts with accurate, empowering statements.
Backward Skill Visualization
Close your eyes and mentally rehearse the skill from start to finish, feeling each phase.
Skills a Giant unlocks
- Flyaway Layout (Uneven Bars, Levels 7-8)
- Pak Salto (Uneven Bars, Levels 7-8)
- Tkatchev (Uneven Bars, Levels 8-9)
Watch an example
Watch a Giant tutorial on YouTube (opens in a new tab).
Frequently asked questions
- What level do gymnasts learn a Giant?
- Gymnasts usually learn a Giant 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 Giant?
- About 6 weeks once a Cast Handstand is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Kip, the whole progression adds up to about 16 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.
- What should my gymnast learn before a Giant?
- Cast Handstand comes directly before it. The full progression is Kip, then Cast Handstand, then Giant.
- What are the most common deductions on a Giant?
- The ones to watch for are Pike in Body (up to 0.20), Insufficient Amplitude (up to 0.20), Body Alignment (usually about 0.1) and Shoulder Angle (usually about 0.1). Judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is.
- Is a Giant scary to learn?
- It can be. Stickd rates its fear factor 3 out of 5 because it involves height off the ground, going backward without being able to see where you're headed and being upside down. Techniques like Box Breathing and Positive Self-Talk Reframe help gymnasts build confidence.