Practicing yurchenko timers to stacked mats is a useful way to train different vaulting techniques without having to worry about injuries. As the gymnasts get better, they can raise the height to make the drill more challenging. Observe the table repulsion on this yurchenko timer. Watch the previous video example again with a couple of still frames of the take-off. This gymnast is already straight and off the table by the vertical.
The Yurchenko layouts follow the same principles required for all other round-off entry vaults. The hurdle should move up and forward. This gymnast has some problems to refine during her round-off; a round-off flying phase that could be more hollow instead of piked. Her arms bend a little too much on the vault. As a result, she leaves the table late. Notice the dive to a round-off with the hands touching the floor almost at the same time. Watch another example from a different angle. Observe a yurchenko layout performed by an elite athlete.
Yurchenko layouts are commonly used by competitive gymnasts as warm-ups for more difficult yurchenko vaults involving multiple twists. Take a look at these varied yurchenko timers from different video angles.
