Vault (gymnastics)

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Boy on a modern vault.

The vault, formerly known as vaulting horse in some places, is an artistic gymnastics apparatus. It is used by male as well as female gymnasts.

In gymnastics, the term "vault" is a noun that refers not only to the piece of apparatus itself, but to the skill the gymnast performs on the apparatus. In addition, the word is a verb describing this action. In other words, a gymnast can said to be vaulting (performing on the apparatus), doing a vault (skill), or training on vault (piece of apparatus/event). The English abbreviation the for the event in gymnastics scoring is VT.

[edit] Gymnastics vaulting

To perform a vault:

1. The gymnast runs down a runway, which is usually padded or carpeted (the run)
2. Hurdles onto a springboard and springs onto the vault with his or her hands (the preflight or first flight, and block). For vaults in the Yurchenko family, the gymnast will do a round-off onto the springboard and a back handspring onto the vault.
3. Performs the actual vault, which may be as simple as leaping over the apparatus or as complicated as executing several twists and flips in the air (second flight)
4. Lands on the mat on the other side of the apparatus (the postflight)

[edit] Scoring and rules

Scoring on vault is based on several factors. Gymnasts are expected to land cleanly, with no hops or steps, and to demonstrate good technique and execution in the actual vault. Falls, steps, poor technique and poor form lead to deductions.

Depending on the competition, the final score is derived from a) a single vault; b) the average of two vaults; c) the better of two vaults.

[edit] Olympics-level scoring

As in other gymnastics events, at the elite/world class level, scoring is regulated by the Code Of Points. Under the new Code, two panels of judges evaluate the vault.

• D-score: Every vault has been assigned a specific points value in the Code. The D-score is simply this value. Every gymnast performing the same vault will receive the same number of points.

• The E-score is the most important score on this apparatus. The judges on this panel work from the 10.0 base mark and deduct for errors in form, technique, height, amplitude, execution and landing. Judges will look at the body position: whether the knees and feet remain together whilst in flight; straightness of legs and back; whether arms are tidily drawn in or flailing about. As with some other gymnastics events a stuck landing is desirable, whereby the feet hit the mat at the same time and together with no steps, hops or strides are taken in order for the gymnast to remain upright. In addition there are tram lines on the landing mat; if the gymnast does not land entirely within these lines, he or she will receive a deduction.

The D-score and E-score are added together for the gymnasts's mark.

In most current world-class, World Championships or Olympic competition, in the team and all-around sessions, gymnasts perform one vault. However, gymnasts who wish to qualify for and compete in the vault event final must perform a second vault during the team qualifying session. The score from this second vault does not count toward the team standings or their qualification score for the all-around; it is simply used to determine qualification to the event final.

In the vault event final, gymnasts again perform two vaults, which must come from different 'families' (ie, have a different approach and post-flight). The scores from the two vaults are averaged for the final mark.

A gymnast performing a double twisting Yurchenko.

[edit] Scoring at other levels of competition

At other levels of competition which use Codes based on the 10.0 scoring system, each vault is assigned a start value. The SV, which can be as high as 10.0 or much lower, represents the maximum score the gymnast can achieve if the vault is performed perfectly. The judges work from the SV and deduct for errors in form, technique, height, amplitude, execution and landing.

[edit] Universal rules and conventions

There are many rules and conventions that apply to vaulting at all levels, from Olympic to recreational competition, regardless of the Code of Points used.

The evaluation of the gymnast's vault begins when she or he touches the springboard. The distance of the springboard from the vaulting table is determined by the height and strength of the gymnast, as well as the vault she or he is performing. Similarly, the portion of the runway the gymnast uses is also of personal preference. Some gymnasts use the entire length of the runway; others do not. Judges neither note nor evaluate the gymnast's run. Similarly, springboard settings are of no consequence to the score, unless coaches have failed to put safety mats in place.

Coaches must tell the judges which vault the gymnast plans to perform in advance. Every vault is assigned a specific number; this number is "flashed" or displayed on a board or electronic screen before the gymnast begins. In the past, gymnasts incurred a deduction for flashing one vault and performing a different one. However, this penalty has been removed from the Code of Points.

Gymnasts are allowed to chalk their hands and feet. They are also permitted to wear gymnastics shoes and wrist guards as they so choose.

If a gymnast "balks" -- ie, stops in the middle of the runway or breaks his or her run before touching the springboard -- no deductions are taken. The gymnast is given thirty seconds to return to the top of the runway and make a second attempt at the vault. If, however, the gymnast touches any portion of the springboard or vault itself, he or she receives a score of zero and is not permitted to make another attempt.

There are several other acts that completely invalidate the vault and result in a score of 0. These include receiving spotting (assistance) from a coach and not using the U-shaped safety mat for Yurchenko-style vaults.

[edit] Dimensions

Measures of the apparatus are published by the FIG in the Apparatus Norms brochure.

[edit] Horse vault

• Height 125 cm/04' 01" (women) 135 cm/04' 05" (men)
• Length 120 cm/03' 11 1/4"
• Width 95 cm/37 07/16"
• Approach run up to 25m/82' 1/4"

The horse had several disadvantages. If gymnasts' hands slipped from the narrow horse, they risked serious injury. Several serious accidents occurred over the years. In 1988 American Julissa Gomez was paralyzed in a vaulting accident; she died from complications from her injuries three years later. ^[1] At the 1998 Goodwill Games, Chinese gymnast Sang Lan suffered a terrible fall during warmups that left her paralyzed. ^[2] At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, the vault's height was set incorrectly for the women's all-around competition, causing numerous falls and injuries.^[3]

[edit] Vaulting table

After 2000, in an attempt to make the event safer, the horse was phased out and replaced by the new vaulting table. The first major competition that used the new apparatus was the 2001 World Championships in Ghent, Belgium.

The table, which is much wider, longer and springier than the old horse, has many advantages for gymnasts. It provides the athlete with a larger surface to "block" or push away from; this diminishes the possibility of accidents. The new table is also sprung, giving gymnasts more lift and amplitude in post-flight.

The vaulting table is still set at different heights for men's and women's competition, but it remains in the same positions.

While the new vaulting table appears to be safer than the old apparatus, the possibility of accidents still exists. In 2007, Dutch junior gymnast Imke Glas was seriously injured after a fall on vault.^[4]

[edit] Vault Families

Vault styles are broken into various groups. The group a vault style fits into is determined by the action performed during the vaulting movement.

[edit] Vaulting-buck

This is a similar apparatus, used for similar vaults, except there is no pommel version and it has a smaller, almost square surface. The word buck is an old term for a goat, which is also smaller than a horse.

[edit] See also

• Pommel horse

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• All About Vault and the Best Vaulters in the World
• The 2006 Code of Points
• WAG apparatus description at the FIG website
• MAG apparatus description at the FIG website
• US Gym Net's glossary of vaulting skills
• Report on the vaulting table, with photographs
• Gymnastics Apparatus
• Vaulting Exercises Basics and Techniques