Floor & Vault Squad

Floor & Vault Programme

A clear training guide for Floor & Vault gymnasts, showing the main requirements, build skills and extra options across both apparatus.

Coaching structure

Floor & Vault Rotations

These squads do not follow the fixed rotations used in Junior Squad or the Recreational Programme.

Coach-designed circuits

Coaches should create their own circuits using relevant preparations and the skills within this programme. Each circuit should have a clear purpose and enough activity for every gymnast.

Individualise every station

Coach the gymnast in front of you. Give a prerequisite when the set skill is not ready, or an upgrade when the station is too easy for that gymnast.

Example

At the same floor station, one gymnast might perform a backwards roll to front support while another performs a backwards roll to handstand.

Keep the circuit moving

Upgrades and prerequisites should be given as gymnasts move around the circuit, so every gymnast is training at the correct level without changing the whole setup.

FX
FX
Floor Requirements

Floor

Floor covers acro, dance, mixed series, spin and one stand-out skill. Must skills are shown first, build skills follow, and extra options open below where useful.

Acro Series

The main backward series and forward roll series should be trained first.

Connected acro skills
Round-off + flick Main backward acro series
B B Must

Dive forward roll and handstand forward roll reference

Front handspring + dive forward roll Forward acro option
B B Option
Front handspring step-out + front handspring Harder forward acro option
B B Option

Dance Series

Clean, lifted and connected, with no dead pause between the skills.

Connected dance skills
Scissor kick + split leap Main dance series
A B Must
Cat leap + split leap Main dance series
A B Must
Cat leap full turn + split leap Harder dance series build
C B Build
Cat leap full turn + split change Hardest dance series build
C C Build
Split leap + split change Dance series option
B C Option
Split change + split leap Dance series option
C B Option
Split change + scissor kick Dance series option
C A Option

Mixed Series

Dance and acro skills connected with no dead pause.

Mixed connections
Cat leap + one-handed cartwheel Main mixed series
A B Must
Cat leap + forward walkover Mixed series build
A B Build
Backward walkover + tuck jump half turn Mixed series build
B B Build
Handstand ½ pirouette + full turn Mixed series build
B B Build
Backward walkover + full turn Mixed series option
B B Option
Cartwheel + flick step-out + full turn ABB option, with A not counted
A B B Option
Handstand pirouette + full turn Harder mixed series option
C B Option

Spins

Upright, controlled and finished cleanly.

Turn work

Full spin reference

Wolf spin ½ Wolf spin build
B Build
Wolf spin full Harder wolf spin build
C Build
One and a half spin Harder spin build
C Build

Stand-out Skill

One extra skill not already used elsewhere in the routine.

Extra allowed skill
Full turn jump Main stand-out skill option
Must
V-sit Main stand-out skill option
Must

Options can generally come from allowed A to C skills, as long as they suit the gymnast and are performed cleanly. Avoid picking a skill already used for acro, dance, mixed series or spin unless the routine rules allow it.

B Backward roll to front support Good option
A V-sit Good option
B Forward walkover Good if not already used
B Backward walkover Good if not already used
C One-handed forward walkover Good harder option
C Backward roll to handstand Good harder option
B Straddle jump Good option
B Split jump Good option
C Split change Good harder option
A Straight jump Simple option
A Scissor kick May already be in dance
A Handstand Simple option
A Cartwheel Simple option
B Front handspring Only if not in acro
C Korbut flick Harder option
A Cat leap Likely already in routine
B Round-off Likely already in acro
B Flick Likely already in acro
B Round-off flick Likely already in acro
B Dive forward roll Likely already in acro
A Handstand forward roll Likely already in acro
B Split leap Likely already in dance
C Cat leap full turn Likely already in dance
VT
VT
Vault Requirements

Vault

Vault is built progressively, from arm swing entry through block work towards a confident handspring over the full vault.

Entry & Handspring

Confident run, controlled arm swing entry, straight arms and strong block shape.

Entry, block and landing
Arm swing entry Vault approach and take-off rhythm
Must

Handspring reference

Handspring reference