Vault (gymnastics) facts for kids

A gymnast performing a vault

The vault is an exciting event in artistic gymnastics. It's a quick, powerful maneuver where gymnasts run, jump onto a springboard, push off a special table, and perform amazing flips and twists in the air before landing. Both boys and girls compete in the vault. In gymnastics scores, you might see it called "VT."

The Vaulting Apparatus

Original vaulting horse configuration (women)

Original vaulting horse configuration (men)

Long ago, the vaulting apparatus looked like a "horse" without handles, similar to the pommel horse. It was called the vaulting horse. For girls, the horse was placed sideways, and for boys, it was placed lengthwise. This original horse was used in the Olympic Games for over a hundred years, starting from the very first modern Olympics in 1896 until the year 2000.

Over time, gymnasts and experts realized that the equipment could be improved. To make the sport safer and allow gymnasts to try even more incredible tricks, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) decided to change the apparatus.

In 2001, a new piece of equipment called the "vaulting table" was introduced at the 2001 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. This table has a wider, flatter, and softer surface. It slopes down slightly at the end closest to the springboard. Gymnasts sometimes call it the "tongue." This modern design helps gymnasts push off more effectively and land more safely.

How Big is the Vaulting Table?

Modern vaulting table

The vaulting table has specific measurements to ensure fair play and safety in competitions:

• Length: 120 cm (3 ft 11 in) ± 1 cm (0.39 in)
• Width: 90 cm (2 ft 11 in) ± 1 cm (0.39 in)
• Height:
  • For boys: 135 cm (4 ft 5 in) ± 1 cm (0.39 in)
  • For girls: 125 cm (4 ft 1 in) ± 1 cm (0.39 in)
• The runway where gymnasts run before jumping is also measured:
  • Length: 3,500 cm (114 ft 10 in) ± 10 cm (3.9 in)
  • Width: 100 cm (3 ft 3 in) ± 1 cm (0.39 in)

How Gymnasts Perform a Vault

A multiple-exposure image of a gymnast performing a vault (handspring double salto forward tucked) at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

A vault is a fast and powerful sequence of movements. First, the gymnast runs very quickly down a special padded runway. Then, they jump onto a springboard, which helps them launch into the air.

As they spring up, they place their hands on the vaulting table. This is called the "preflight" or "first flight" and "block." For some vaults, like those in the Yurchenko family, gymnasts do a round-off onto the springboard and then a back handspring onto the vaulting table.

After pushing off the table, the gymnast performs their aerial skills. This "off-flight" can be a simple leap over the table or a complex series of twists and flips. Finally, the gymnast lands on a soft mat on the other side of the apparatus. The faster a gymnast runs, the more difficult vaults they can often perform.

Vaults in Competitions

Gymnasts perform vaults in many parts of a competition. In qualification rounds, team finals, and all-around finals, gymnasts usually show one vault. To qualify for the special vault apparatus finals, gymnasts must perform two different vaults.

In the apparatus finals, gymnasts perform two vaults. For boys, these two vaults must come from different "element groups" (types of vaults). For girls, the two vaults must have different ways of pushing off the table and different flight phases in the air.

How Vaults Are Scored

A gymnast's vault score is made up of two main parts:

• D-value (Difficulty): This score reflects how hard the vault is. Each skill has a specific value, and harder skills get higher points. In 2009, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) updated the rules to encourage gymnasts to focus more on performing their vaults perfectly, not just on making them super difficult.
• E-value (Execution): This score is out of 10.0 points. Judges look at how well the gymnast performs the vault. They check for good form, how high the gymnast goes, how far they travel, and especially how they land.

Judges watch four key phases: the preflight (before touching the table), the support (hands on the table), the after-flight (in the air), and the landing. Gymnasts aim to land perfectly, without any hops or steps, and within a specific area on the landing mat. Points are taken off for mistakes like stepping, falling, not getting enough height, or not traveling far enough from the table.

Different Types of Vaults

First flight phases of handspring, Tsukahara, and Yurchenko vaults

Vaults are grouped into different "families" or categories based on how they start and what skills are performed. To compete in a vault final, a gymnast must perform two vaults from different groups, and their second flight phase (what they do in the air after pushing off) must also be different.

Safety in Vaulting

Safety is extremely important in gymnastics, especially in events like the vault. Over the years, the equipment and rules have been updated many times to make sure gymnasts are as safe as possible. The change from the old vaulting horse to the modern vaulting table was a big step to help prevent serious injuries and allow gymnasts to perform amazing new skills more safely.

Experts and coaches are always studying how gymnasts land to find the best ways to reduce the impact on their bodies. For example, studies have suggested that allowing gymnasts to bend their knees more when they land can help prevent injuries. These ongoing efforts ensure that gymnastics remains an exciting and safe sport for everyone.

See also

In Spanish: Salto de caballo para niños