How to do a Tkatchev
A Tkatchev is a bar skill on uneven bars that gymnasts usually learn between Levels 8 and 9, once a Giant is solid.
Also called: tkatchev release, reverse hecht, counter movement.
Quick facts
| Apparatus | Uneven Bars |
|---|---|
| Typical level (estimate) | Levels 8-9 |
| Difficulty (Stickd rating) | 8/10 |
| Time to learn after the prerequisite (estimate) | About 8 weeks |
| Whole progression (estimate) | About 24 weeks from a Kip |
| Fear factor (Stickd rating) | 5/5 |
Levels, ratings and timelines are Stickd estimates for planning, not USAG requirements.
What to learn before a Tkatchev
Work through these skills in order. Each one is a required step toward a Tkatchev.
- Kip (Levels 4-5)
- Cast Handstand (Levels 5-6)
- Giant (Levels 7-8)
Step-by-step progression
The path to a Tkatchev 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
Tkatchev
Learn a Tkatchev. Allow about 8 weeks once the step before it is solid (estimate).
Drills that build a Tkatchev
- Tkatchev Release Drills
- Release Move Timing Drills
- Tap Swing Drills
- Giant Swing Progressions
- Core Tension & Hollow-Arch Drills
Technique focus areas: Release timing.
What good form looks like
Release move: from a backward giant swing, counter-swing, let go and fly backward over the bar (usually straddled) to regrasp it.
- shoulders: extended
- hips: extended
- knees: straight
Common deductions on a Tkatchev
| Deduction | What it means | Typically |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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 Tkatchev 5 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 Tkatchev tutorial on YouTube (opens in a new tab).
Frequently asked questions
- What level do gymnasts learn a Tkatchev?
- Gymnasts usually learn a Tkatchev between Levels 8 and 9. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.
- How long does it take to learn a Tkatchev?
- About 8 weeks once a Giant is solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Kip, 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 Tkatchev?
- Giant comes directly before it. The full progression is Kip, then Cast Handstand, then Giant, then Tkatchev.
- What are the most common deductions on a Tkatchev?
- The ones to watch for are 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 Tkatchev scary to learn?
- It can be. Stickd rates its fear factor 5 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.