Full twisting layout facts for kids

A full twisting layout is an exciting move in gymnastics. Imagine doing a somersault in the air, but while you're spinning, you also twist your body around one full time! It's a mix of a flip and a twist, all happening very fast.

Gymnasts can perform this skill in different body shapes: tucked, piked, or straight. Each shape looks a bit different and can change how difficult the skill is.

What is a Full Twisting Layout?

A full twisting layout is a type of aerial skill that combines a somersault (a flip) with a full twist. This means a gymnast rotates their body 360 degrees around its length, like a corkscrew, while also flipping backwards or forwards. It's a very dynamic and impressive move that requires great control and strength.

How Do Gymnasts Do It?

To perform a full twisting layout, gymnasts first need a lot of power from their legs to jump high. As they leave the ground, they quickly bring their arms in to help them spin. The twist happens by turning their head and shoulders, which makes the rest of their body follow. They have to spot the landing, which means looking for the ground, to know when to stop twisting and prepare to land safely.

Tucked, Piked, or Straight?

The three main body shapes for a full twisting layout are:

• Tucked: The gymnast pulls their knees tightly to their chest. This makes their body very small and compact, which helps them spin faster. It's often the first way gymnasts learn to do a full twist.
• Piked: The gymnast keeps their legs straight but bends at the hips, forming a V-shape with their body. This shape is harder than a tuck because the body is more stretched out, making it a bit slower to twist.
• Straight: This is the most challenging shape. The gymnast keeps their entire body straight, from head to toes, throughout the flip and twist. It looks very elegant and powerful, but it requires incredible control and a lot of height to complete the full rotation and twist before landing.

Where Do You See It?

You can see full twisting layouts in many different gymnastics events:

• Floor Exercise: Gymnasts often include full twisting layouts as part of their tumbling passes. These passes are a series of flips and twists performed across the floor.
• Vault: Sometimes, gymnasts will perform a full twist as part of their vault, either off the springboard or as they push off the vaulting table.
• Balance Beam: Advanced gymnasts might even perform a full twisting layout off the end of the balance beam as a dismount. This is very difficult because the beam is narrow, and they need perfect balance.

Learning This Skill

Learning a full twisting layout takes a lot of practice and builds on other skills. Gymnasts usually learn simpler flips and twists first, like a regular layout (a straight flip without a twist) and a full twist on the ground or in a harness. They also need strong core muscles and good body awareness. Coaches guide gymnasts step-by-step to ensure they learn the skill safely and correctly. It's a big achievement for any gymnast to master this exciting move!