Inbar-Gienger Talks Technique- Arabian (beam)
In todayās version of inbar-gienger talks technique, I will be breaking down technique of an arabian on beam. Before I start, a few notes.
1. Gymnasts doing an arabian on beam usually have fairly decent technique meaning that they twist at the correct time. Instead of talking about this, I will be discussing ways in which technique differentiates an okay versus really good arabian.Ā
First, let us start with the takeoff, or theĀ āsetā of the skill. A good takeoff in an arabian has the gymnast pushing up fully through her toes before she goes to tuck for the flip.
Below, you can see that the gymnast is pushing up through her toes. Along with this, she is engaging her bum/hips at the same time, which is what allows the flip toĀ āliftā.Ā
Most gymnasts at the elite level are capable of a proper takeoff. The difference in height is usually attributed to tucking too early or slightly leaning back more on the set. The gymnast below has really good technique. She is engaging her hips and has good extension in her set, resisting the temptation to tuck right away.Ā
As you can see, she tucks at the highest point of her flip. Her tuck is also nice and compact.Ā
Seeing as she has so much height in her flip, she also has the ability to open up- let go of her legs and prepare for the landing. This allows her to land with her chest upright and shoulders square.Ā
TA-DA! Opening up also allows for aĀ āstackedā landing- all body parts are stacked on top of each other- shoulders, hips and knees all in a line. This allows for a more stable centre of gravity.Ā
Let us compare this with a lower arabian. The gymnast tucks earlier and doesnāt engage her hips as well in the takeoff. She is also leaning slightly more backwards more on the takeoff than the other gymnast. The more upright you are on the takeoff= the more height.Ā
Because there is less height in her skill, she is unable to open up for the landing as well. Just letting go of the tuck, her centre of gravity is thrown off, with her bum sticking out, shoulders being far forwards, with one of them dropping to the left. This shoulder drops, and her left foot landing slightly to the left of the beam results in a big wobble.Ā
It is also important to note that no matter how good the technique, some gymnasts are simply able to recruit more muscle fibres to fulfill their skill. This has to do with genetic biology and can only be improved to an extent. This is why some gymnasts are more powerful than others. The same element performed with similar technique may have different heights depending on their musculature.Ā
