The Most Difficult Move in Gymnastics, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the move you think is the most difficult!

Updated on Apr 23, 2024 06:39

In the world of gymnastics, the challenge of executing the perfect move combines grace, power, and precision. The debate over which move is the toughest can be subjective and varies widely among enthusiasts and experts alike. This curiosity drives the need to categorize and rank these moves, offering a better understanding of the skills and daring each one demands. By providing a system where fans and gymnasts can cast their votes, this list not only fosters a community of passionate followers but also enhances appreciation for the athletes' hard work and dedication. This dynamic ranking invites engagement and discussion, allowing everyone to have a direct impact on shaping the consensus around this thrilling aspect of gymnastics.

What Is the Most Difficult Move in Gymnastics?

1

46
votes
The Produnova

Yelena Produnova

This is the most difficult move in gymnastics as it involves a handspring double front somersault. It is extremely risky and has the potential to cause severe injuries.
The Produnova, also known as the 'vault of death,' is one of the most difficult moves in gymnastics. It involves a front handspring onto the vault, followed by two front somersaults in a piked position, and ends with a blind landing.

Difficulty Level: Extremely difficult

Point Value: 7.0

Height: Approximately 2 meters (6.5 feet)

Number of Flips: 2

Number of Twists: None
2

37
votes
The Yurchenko Double Pike

Mykola Yurchenko

This move involves a round-off back handspring onto the vault, followed by a double backflip with a pike position. It requires immense power and precision.
The Yurchenko Double Pike is a highly difficult gymnastics move that was first performed by gymnast Mykola Yurchenko. It involves a roundoff back handspring onto the vaulting table followed by two piked somersaults in the air and a landing. The Yurchenko Double Pike requires exceptional power, speed, technique, and body control.

Vault Type: Yurchenko

Difficulty Level: Very difficult (F-value)

Entry: Roundoff

Mid-Air Skill: Piked double backflip

Landing: On feet
3

24
votes
The Thomas Flair

Kurt Thomas

This is a unique move on the pommel horse that involves a 360-degree rotation of the body while maintaining balance on one hand. It requires tremendous strength and control.
The Thomas Flair is a difficult move in gymnastics that combines strength, flexibility, and balance. It involves rotating the body in an inverted position while maintaining contact with the pommel horse. The move requires exceptional core strength and control, as well as excellent shoulder and wrist flexibility.

Difficulty Level: Very Difficult

Starting Position: Sitting on pommel horse with legs on either side

Execution: Rotating the body in an inverted position while maintaining contact with the pommel horse

Number of Rotations: At least one full rotation

Body Position: Straight body with legs extended and together
4

9
votes
Agência Brasil Fotografias · CC BY 2.0

The Biles

Simone Biles

This move is named after Simone Biles and involves a double layout with a half twist. It requires immense height and rotation in the air.
The Biles is a difficult move in gymnastics named after Simone Biles, an American artistic gymnast. It is a double-twisting double backflip performed during a floor exercise routine. The move combines power, height, and technique, making it one of the most challenging elements in gymnastics.

Rotation Speed: Fast

Difficulty Level: H

Number of Twists: 2

Number of Flips: 2

Execution: Backwards
5

8
votes
Zorka Sojka · CC BY-SA 4.0

The Maltese Cross

Albert Azaryan

This is a move on the rings that involves holding the body parallel to the ground while supporting the weight with only the hands. It requires immense upper body strength and control.
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 4 of 10 in Most difficult gymnastics move
6

11
votes
The Geinger

Eberhard Gienger

This is a move on the uneven bars that involves a front somersault with a half twist over the high bar. It requires precise timing and a strong release from the bar.
The Geinger is a high-level release move performed on the uneven bars in artistic gymnastics. It involves a release of the bar, a backflip, and catching the bar again. The gymnast swings forward on the low bar, releases and lets go of the bar, performs a backward somersault in the air, and then regrasps the bar to continue the routine.

Difficulty Level: E

Execution: Very Difficult

Risk: High

Body Position: Arch

Grip: Mixed (under and overhand)
7

15
votes
ravedelay · CC BY 2.0

The Liukin

Nastia Liukin

This move involves a front somersault with a half twist off the balance beam. It requires excellent balance and control.
The Liukin is a difficult move in gymnastics named after its creator, Nastia Liukin. It is a type of uneven bars release move that requires advanced skills, strength, and precision. The performer starts hanging from the high bar, releases it, performs multiple flips and twists, and re-grabs the bar to continue the routine.

Difficulty Level: High

Apparatus: Uneven Bars

Release Move: Yes

Grip Change: No

Number of Flips: Multiple
8

9
votes
The Moors

Kenzo Shirai

This move involves a double twisting double backflip on the floor exercise. It requires immense power and height.
The Moors is a difficult move in gymnastics that involves a series of twisting flips in midair. It is considered one of the most challenging moves due to the complex combination of twists and flips.

Number of flips: 4

Number of twists: 2

Starting position: Round-off back handspring

Takeoff: Forward

Twisting direction: Left
9

6
votes
The Tsukahara Double Back

Mitsuo Tsukahara

This move involves a round-off onto the vault, followed by a double backflip with a straight body position. It requires immense power and precision.
The Tsukahara Double Back is a difficult move in gymnastics that requires a high level of skill and technique. It is a vaulting move where the gymnast starts by running towards the vaulting table. Upon reaching the springboard, the gymnast performs a round-off back handspring onto the vaulting table and generates a powerful backward rotation. Mid-air, the gymnast executes two backflips before attempting to land on their feet.

Difficulty level: Very difficult

Elements: Round-off, Back handspring, Double backflip

Starting point: Run towards the vaulting table

Takeoff: Round-off back handspring onto the vaulting table

Number of flips: Two
10

6
votes
The Zuchold

Erika Zuchold

This is a move on the bars that involves a full turn in the handstand position. It requires excellent body control and strength.
The Zuchold is a difficult move in gymnastics that is performed on the uneven bars. It involves a release move where the gymnast releases the bar, performs a full turn in the air, and catches the bar again. It is known for its high level of difficulty and technical precision.

Difficulty: High

Apparatus: Uneven bars

Release move: Yes

Number of turns: 1

Catch: Requires catching the bar again

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Discussion

Ranking factors for difficult move

Technical complexity

The number of skills, elements, or transitions within the move, along with how intricate they are, should be considered. Complex sequences or combinations with precise timing and body positions will increase the difficulty.
Physical demands

Evaluate the strength, flexibility, speed, and endurance needed to execute the move. The more physically demanding it is, the harder it will be to perform.
Risk factor

Assess the level of risk associated with the move, including the likelihood of injury and the consequences of a mistake. Higher risk moves require greater courage and mental focus, increasing their overall difficulty.
Artistry and style

Take into account the level of artistry demonstrated throughout the move, such as seamless transitions, fluidity, and grace. Expressive or innovative elements that elevate a move's aesthetic will also contribute to its difficulty.
Consistency and precision

Gauge how difficult it is to perform the move consistently and with precision. High-level execution requires mastery of technique, balance, and spatial awareness – aspects that contribute to a move's overall challenge.
Level of competition

Consider the move's rarity or prevalence in the sport. The more uncommon it is or the less frequently it's performed at the elite level, the more likely it is to be difficult.
Progression and learning curve

Evaluate the time it takes for a gymnast to learn and perfect the move. Moves with steeper learning curves and longer progression periods will be more challenging to acquire and perfect.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult move in gymnastics. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or move is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1467 views
170 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each move once every 24 hours. The rank of each move is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most difficult move in gymnastics

Gymnastics is a sport that requires immense physical strength, flexibility, and agility. Gymnasts perform a variety of moves, ranging from basic jumps and flips to complex and gravity-defying acrobatics. One of the most challenging aspects of gymnastics is mastering the most difficult moves, which require years of training and dedication to perfect. These moves often involve a combination of strength, balance, and precision, and are judged based on their level of difficulty and execution. In this article, we will explore the most difficult move in gymnastics and what makes it so challenging for even the most skilled athletes.