The Most Difficult Gymnastics Move, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the gymnastics move you think is the most difficult!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:24
In the world of gymnastics, athletes constantly push the boundaries of what is physically possible, performing moves that defy gravity and challenge human limitations. Understanding which moves carry the highest degree of difficulty helps in appreciating the skill and dedication required from gymnasts. A ranking of these challenging moves provides insight into the complexities of the sport and celebrates the athletes who master them.
By participating in voting for the hardest gymnastics moves, fans and enthusiasts contribute to a dynamic list that reflects the community's views on skill difficulty. This active engagement not only fosters a deeper connection with the sport but also highlights emerging trends and techniques in gymnastics. Such a ranked list serves as a resource for newcomers and a discussion point for experts, enriching the gymnastics community as a whole.
What Is the Most Difficult Gymnastics Move?
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135votes
The Produnova vault
Yelena ProdunovaIt is considered the most difficult vault in women's gymnastics, featuring a front handspring followed by two front somersaults. It is also known as the "vault of death" due to its high level of difficulty and potential for injury.The Produnova vault, also known as the 'Vault of Death,' is one of the most difficult and dangerous gymnastics moves. It is a vaulting technique performed on the vaulting horse in artistic gymnastics.- Difficulty Level: The Produnova vault has a difficulty rating of 7.0, which is the highest difficulty score assigned to a vault in gymnastics.
- Number of Flips: The gymnast must perform two consecutive front handsprings.
- Number of Twists: The gymnast also completes two full twists in the air.
- Height: The gymnast launches off the vaulting horse and reaches significant height during the flipping and twisting sequence.
- Risk: The move is extremely risky and has a high chance of resulting in severe injuries if not executed properly.
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218votes
The Yurchenko double pike
Natalia YurchenkoThis vault requires a roundoff onto the springboard, a back handspring onto the vault table, and then two backflips with a piked body position. It has only been successfully performed by a handful of gymnasts.The Yurchenko double pike is a challenging gymnastics move performed on the vault apparatus. It involves executing a roundoff onto the springboard, followed by a back handspring onto the vaulting table and two complete piked rotations in the air before landing. This move requires exceptional speed, power, and precision.- Difficulty Level: H
- Apparatus: Vault
- Gymnastics Discipline: Artistic Gymnastics
- Body Position: Piked
- Rotations: Two complete rotations
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311votesThis move is performed on the floor exercise and requires a high level of power and precision to execute three backflips in a row. It has only been successfully performed by a few male gymnasts.The triple backflip is an extremely difficult gymnastics move where the gymnast rotates their body three times in mid-air while performing a backflip. It requires exceptional athleticism, strength, and precise body control to achieve the required height and rotation for each flip.
- Difficulty Level: Extremely high
- Number of Rotations: 3
- Type of Flip: Backflip
- Height Achieved: Significant vertical height
- Required Strength: Exceptional
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42votes
Zorka Sojka · CC BY-SA 4.0The Maltese Cross
Albert AzaryanThis move is performed on the rings and requires immense strength and control to hold the body in a horizontal position with arms extended to the sides. It is considered one of the most difficult strength moves in gymnastics.The Maltese Cross is a highly challenging gymnastics move performed on the still rings apparatus. It involves holding the body in a perfectly horizontal position parallel to the ground, with the arms extended to the sides and the rings touching the body at the hips.- Difficulty Level: Very Difficult (H) in the Code of Points
- Body Position: Horizontal parallel to the ground
- Arm Position: Arms extended to the sides
- Ring Placement: Rings touching the body at the hips
- Muscles Engaged: Shoulders, chest, arms, core
The Maltese Cross in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most difficult move in gymnastics
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520votes
The triple-twisting Yurchenko
Vasiliy YurchenkoThis vault requires a roundoff onto the springboard, a back handspring onto the vault table, and then three full twists in the air before landing. It is a rare and difficult skill to execute.The triple-twisting Yurchenko is a highly advanced gymnastics move performed on the vault apparatus. It involves a round-off entry onto the vault, a back handspring onto the vaulting table, followed by a dynamic push-off and three full twists in the air, before landing on the mat.- Difficulty Level: H
- Initial Entry: Round-Off
- Vaulting Table: Used
- Number of Twists: 3
- Flight Time: Approximately 1.5 seconds
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612votesThis move is performed on the floor exercise and requires a high level of power and precision to execute two backflips in a straight body position. It is a difficult skill to perfect due to the need for perfect form throughout the entire skill.The double layout is a challenging gymnastics move that involves performing two full laid-out flips in the air before landing. It requires immense strength, flexibility, and precise body control.
- Twists: None
- Landing: Feet first
- Execution: Requires excellent technique and timing
- Difficulty Level: Very difficult
- Apparatus: Floor exercise
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716votesThis move is performed on the floor exercise and requires immense power and control to execute three front flips in a row. It has only been successfully performed by a few male gymnasts.The triple front flip is an extremely difficult gymnastics move that involves performing three front flips consecutively before landing. It requires exceptional athleticism, body control, and a precise understanding of timing and technique.
- Difficulty Level: Very Difficult
- Execution Type: Acrobatic
- Rotation: 3 front flips
- Landing: Upright position
- Take-off: Usually performed from a springboard or a vaulting table
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88votes
The Tsukahara double back
Mitsuo TsukaharaThis vault requires a roundoff onto the springboard, a back handspring onto the vault table, and then two backflips in a straight body position before landing. It is a difficult skill to execute due to the need for perfect timing and precision.The Tsukahara double back is a difficult gymnastics move performed on the vault apparatus. It involves completing a handspring onto the vault table followed by two backflips in a straight body position before landing. This move requires exceptional strength, agility, and precision.- Difficulty Level: Very Difficult
- Apparatus: Vault
- Number of Flips: 2
- Body Position: Straight
- Entry Technique: Handspring
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96votesThis move is performed on the floor exercise and requires a high level of power and precision to execute three full twists in a row. It is a rare and difficult skill to perfect due to the need for perfect timing and form throughout the entire skill.The triple full is a highly challenging gymnastics move performed on the floor exercise. It is a twisting skill that requires immense strength, timing, and body control. The gymnast executes three full rotations in the air while maintaining a tucked position.
- Difficulty Level: Very difficult
- Execution: Floor exercise
- Rotation: Three full rotations
- Position: Tucked position
- Required Skills: Strength, timing, body control
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104votes
Henry Perronet Briggs (1793–1844) · Public domainThis move is performed on the rings and requires immense strength and control to hold the body in a horizontal position with arms extended in front of the body. It is considered one of the most difficult strength moves in gymnastics.The Planche is a difficult gymnastics move that involves balancing the body horizontally parallel to the ground, with only the hands in contact with the floor. It requires immense core and upper body strength, as well as exceptional body control and balance.- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Muscles Worked: Shoulders, Chest, Triceps, Core, Upper Back
- Body Position: Horizontal and parallel to the ground
- Hand Placement: Palms facing down
- Base of Support: Hands only
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Ranking factors for difficult gymnastics move
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Technical complexityThis refers to the level of skill needed to execute the move. Some moves require multiple twists, flips, or rotations while others may involve intricate body positions and precise transitions. The more complex the move, the higher the difficulty.
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Strength and powerSome gymnastics moves demand significant strength, power, and explosive ability, especially for vault, floor exercises, or still rings events. These moves require not only excellent technique but also the physical capabilities to achieve the correct elevation, speed, or force needed.
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Balance and controlFor some moves, particularly those performed on the balance beam or pommel horse, the athlete must maintain exceptional balance and body control while executing difficult elements. This often involves intricate footwork, flexibility, and core strength.
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Flexibility and mobilityFlexibility plays a crucial role in many gymnastics moves, especially when performing splits, backbends, or other extreme body positions. A higher degree of flexibility and mobility can increase the difficulty of a move.
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Originality and creativityCertain gymnastics moves are considered more difficult if they showcase originality and creativity. This factor may come into play when an athlete performs a move that is rarely performed by others, or a move that combines elements in a novel way.
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Risk factorThe risk of injury or mistakes can also contribute to a move's difficulty. Moves with a higher degree of risk may involve landings that are harder to control, elements closer to the apparatus, or a higher chance of falling.
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Connection of elementsCombining multiple moves or elements seamlessly increases the difficulty of a gymnastics routine. Difficult connections often require precise timing, strong and consistent execution, and excellent focus and concentration.
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Performance and executionThe overall performance and execution of a move can be a key factor in its difficulty. This includes factors like body alignment, posture, amplitude, and proper technique throughout the move. Even if a move is technically difficult, performing it poorly or with bad form will lessen its perceived difficulty.
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Endurance and staminaLong gymnastics routines or moves that require extended physical exertion can be more difficult. Athletes must maintain their energy levels, focus, and execution throughout these challenges.
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Scoring and Code of PointsDifficulty is also measured according to the scoring guidelines provided by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). Moves are assigned a difficulty score based on their technical requirements and complexity, which then factors into the total score for a gymnastics routine.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult gymnastics move. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or gymnastic is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1652 views
- 128 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each gymnastic once every 24 hours. The rank of each gymnastic is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
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More information on most difficult gymnastics move
Gymnastics is a challenging and impressive sport that requires strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. It involves a wide range of moves and routines, including flips, twists, handstands, and jumps. However, some of these moves are considered to be much more difficult than others, and require years of training and practice to achieve. In this article, we will explore the most difficult gymnastics move and what it takes to master it. So, if you're ready to learn more about this fascinating sport, let's dive in!
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