These are a fair couple of arabian double tuck competition examples. This gymnast shows great powerful action, but his tuck position can be improved. Again notice the great speed and the great quick rebounding back handspring with minimal feet ground support, though he has a little too much cowboy tuck during the somersault. Gymnasts can always continue polishing details and striving for perfect execution and presentation.
An arabian can be defined as a somersault that begins backwards completes a half twist before the gymnast feet reach the vertical and then continues rotating forward. /On a layout half the 180 degree twist can still be incomplete through the vertical. The main difference then between a true arabian and a back somersault with a half twist is determined by the moment the half twist is accomplished. A somersault may begin twisting on the vertical or even later. To be called an arabian the gymnast must complete the half twist before passing through the vertical.
This is a very good example of a well executed arabian tuck showing full body extension before the tuck. Rushing early to tuck is a common mistake that detracts from the skill beauty and presentation. Still Observe the excellent full body extension prior to the tuck position.
Before the gymnasts attempt arabian sommersaults they should learn to perform round off half turns to a handstand onto stacked mats. It is an excellent drill to master how to show a full body extension before rushing into the tuck position. After the drill to a handstand is understood fairly well the gymnasts can begin to add a roll to mimic the tuck position. It is not advisable to skip the drill to handstand and start first with the rolling one because often it causes the gymnast to pike or tuck too early before showing an extended body turn over to the handstand. During the drills to roll it is important to place the palms of the hands on the mat then roll. This is an incorrect example where the gymnast rolls without using the hands.
This is a nice arabian layout example. Notice how the twist is completed early. A twist after the vertical is a back lay out with a half. It belongs with the acrobatic element backwards and will not be considered part of the arabian element group IV like this example does.
Observe the yurchenko layout full and check for some of it's weak and strong points. This gymnast dives on her round-off and her turnover to the table is a little too high. On a positive note, as she comes off the table, her arms move down toward the center of mass, helping her twist. Check some still-frames related to the previous comments. Her front leg is already in the air, but her right hand has not touched the floor yet. Her rebound is straight up instead of with her shoulders a little further back to reach the table early. Because each action is happening slightly late, her body is past a vertical position and she is still pushing off the table. Despite her other mistakes, she is moving her arms down.
All of the technical actions required to perform the successful yurchenko full become even more important to progress and perform the yurchenko full and a half. The gymnast should always have a straight round-off with a center of mass in front of support. The body should rotate in a tight arch instead of with a loose lower back. Every new vault skill should be started on a safety pit. Never rush a gymnast to execute the vault on a regular competition mat until they have exceptional landing consistency. Watch the yurchenko full and a half a few more times.
Successfully adding more twists to yurchenkos in large part depends on the gymnast's focus. A skill this difficult is achieved by taking progressive steps. What the gymnast does before he is in the air plays a big role in the outcome of the skill. A good hurdle that moves up and forward along with a round-off that contacts the board with the center of mass in front of the feet is important. Twist with a straight body and the arms close to the center of mass. Take another look at this same vault without any still-frames.
A large percentage of skills on the vault can be performed into the pit when training to minimize stress on the gymnast's joints. This is true for new skills and skills that are already known. Layout twisting is always more effective with a straight body line, the head neutral, and the arms close to the mid-section. Moving the arms out away from the body slows down the gymnast's twisting speed.
