In women’s artistic gymnastics, the uneven bars are the second event in the Olympic lineup. This apparatus is made of fiberglass with a wood coating, and the bars are set at different heights, letting the gymnast transition between them smoothly.
We’ll take a look at the 7 most difficult uneven bars skills, as detailed in the 2022-24 Code of Points, highlighting the technical skill needed to pull them off:
1. The Ray (Double Twisting Double Layout Dismount)
- Code of Points Value: G (2022–2024)
- Element Type: Dismount
- Technical Description: Double salto backward in stretched position with 2 full twists
- First Performed By: Elise Ray (USA), 2000 Sydney Olympics
The Double Twisting Double Layout Dismount, commonly known as “The Ray III,” is one of the most challenging dismounts in women’s artistic gymnastics. The gymnast swings into a double backward salto in a stretched (layout) position, incorporating two full twists before landing.
- Two back flips (saltos) in the layout position – a straight-body position, which slows down rotation compared to a tuck.
- Two full twists (720° total) – typically one twist per flip.
Putting these together in a layout position is what elevates this to a G-rated skill. Both elements—flipping and twisting—compete for airtime. The gymnast must generate enough height and rotation speed from the swing to complete the motion safely.
Despite its high value, few gymnasts compete The Ray as it’s very risky to land cleanly. Judges can be harsh on form deductions, especially if the twists aren’t well-defined. Safer options like a double layout (F) or full-twisting double tuck (E) offer easier landings for similar scoring when well-executed.
2. Full-twisting Gienger (Def Release Move)
- Code of Points Value: G (2022–2024)
- Element Type: Release
- Technical Description: Salto backward in stretched position with 1½ twists to hang on the high bar
- First Performed By: Likely derived from the Gienger family, but named “Def” after Hungarian gymnast Henrietta Ónodi’s coach, Tamás Dévay, who helped introduce it in the men’s code
The Full-Twisting Gienger, often referred to as a “Def” in men’s gymnastics, is a powerful and dynamic uneven bars release move. It builds on the original Gienger release by adding a full twist—bringing the total rotation to 1½ twists combined with a backward salto in a layout position.
- One back salto in layout position – requires the gymnast to maintain a straight, fully extended body throughout.
- One and a half twists (540°) – the gymnast initiates the twist while flipping and completes it before regrasping the bar.
This twist-heavy release skill is performed from a swing on the high bar, and the gymnast regrabs the same bar after the salto and twist. It is typically classified under the Gienger family, but the full-twist variation increases its difficulty significantly—earning it a G rating.
What makes this skill so challenging is the blind landing. In a layout position, there’s also less room for error since there’s no tucked rotation to speed things up or make adjustments mid-air.
Despite its high value, the full-twisting Gienger has fallen out of favor in modern elite routines:
- It demands perfect timing and exceptional air sense—both to avoid injury and to make the skill count.
- It’s one of the few bars skills where a collision with the bar is a real danger.
- It’s hard to connect into or out of, making it difficult to earn valuable connection bonuses.
Instead, gymnasts often opt for less risky release moves that flow more naturally into combinations—like the Pak salto or toe-on Shaposhnikova transitions—which can be strung together more easily for bonus points.
3. Round-Off Arabian Mount
- Code of Points Value: G (2022–2024)
- Element Type: Mount
- Technical Description: Round-off from springboard into a piked Arabian salto over the low bar to catch the high bar
- First Known Performers: Seen in the 1980s from gymnasts like Olesya Dudnik and Michelle Goodwin
The Round-Off Arabian Mount is one of the most spectacular and rarely performed entries onto the uneven bars. It begins with a round-off on the springboard (just like a tumbling entry on floor), immediately followed by a piked Arabian salto—a front flip with a half twist—executed over the low bar to grasp the high bar.
- A round-off creates backward momentum and sets the gymnast up for a dynamic entry.
- The Arabian salto is a front salto with a half twist that redirects the gymnast’s motion from forward to backward mid-air.
- The gymnast must clear the low bar completely and catch the high bar without touching the low bar or losing control—an extremely tight margin of error.
This is the only G-rated mount in the current Code of Points—meaning it’s the most difficult recognized way to get onto the bars. Despite its high value, the Round-Off Arabian Mount is considered virtually extinct in elite competition. It hasn’t been regularly performed in over 25 years.
Why?
- Risk > Reward: Falling on a mount means the gymnast starts her routine already behind—most coaches prefer a safe, clean jump to the high bar.
- No connection bonus: Since it’s the mount, it can’t be connected to another skill for extra points.
- Energy conservation: Elite gymnasts save their most explosive moves for combinations and dismounts, not the opening.
Nowadays, most gymnasts choose a simple glide kip, jump to high bar, or straddle mount—not for difficulty, but for consistency and rhythm.
4. The Mo Salto
- Code of Points Value: G (2022–2024)
- Element Type: Release
- Technical Description: Forward tucked salto over the high bar to hang
- First Performed By: Mo Huilan (CHN), mid-1990s
The Mo Salto is a high-risk forward release skill named after legendary Chinese gymnast Mo Huilan, who debuted the element in the mid-1990s. Unlike most high bar releases, which involve a backward swing or flip, the Mo Salto flips forward—in a tucked position—over the high bar and ends in a hang.
- The gymnast swings forward, releases the bar, and performs a tucked front salto.
- During the flip, the gymnast must clear the high bar, rotate forward, and regrasp the same bar on the other side.
- The landing position is a standard hang, but from a forward rotation instead of backward momentum.
As of the 2022–2024 cycle, no top international gymnasts are currently competing this skill in major competitions. Its last widespread use was during the 2000s, primarily by Chinese gymnasts.
5. The Black
- Code of Points Value: G (2022–2024)
- Element Type: Release
- Technical Description: Clear hip circle to counter pike over the high bar with a ½ turn to hang in mixed L grip
- First Performed By: Ellie Black (CAN), 2022 Paris World Challenge Cup
The Black is a daring and technical release skill officially entered into the Code of Points in September 2022, named after Canadian gymnast Ellie Black, who first performed it successfully in an international competition. It is a G-rated skill and currently one of the most innovative release moves in women’s uneven bars.
- Starts with a clear hip circle on the high bar (no toe-on or tap entry).
- Transitions into a counter pike release—a back flip over the bar with legs straight in a piked position.
- Includes a ½ turn mid-air.
- Caught in mixed L grip—one hand in overgrip, the other in undergrip.
To be credited as “The Black,” the half turn must be initiated before regrasping the bar, not after.
This skill is deceptively complex. Though it visually resembles other counter-release moves (like the Hindorff or Church), it includes unique elements that significantly raise the difficulty:
- Unusual entry: A clear hip circle, rather than a tap swing or toe-on, requires strong technique and power to generate the release.
- Early twist timing: The gymnast must begin the ½ twist while still in flight, well before catching the bar.
- Mixed grip landing: Catching in a mixed L grip limits swing momentum and can disrupt routine flow if not executed with perfect control.
It’s a new-generation release—part of a wave of complex grip-change and twisting skills that reflect modern bar innovation.
6. Triple Back Dismount (The Magaña)
- Code of Points Value: G (2022–2024)
- Element Type: Dismount
- Technical Description: Three consecutive back saltos in a tucked position from a swing
- First Performed By: Brenda Magaña (MEX), 2002 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships (Debrecen, Hungary)
The Triple Back Dismount, officially named after Brenda Magaña, is one of the most extreme and rarely seen dismounts in women’s gymnastics history. The gymnast performs three backflips in a tucked position before landing—all initiated from a swing on the high bar.
- Begins with a powerful tap swing and release from the high bar
- Executes three complete backward saltos in a tucked body position
- Aims for a controlled, upright landing without over- or under-rotation
The skill was debuted by Brenda Magaña at the 2002 World Championships, making her the first woman in history to land a triple back on the uneven bars. Even elite men’s gymnasts, who compete high bar with more speed and power, rarely perform triple back dismounts. It remains a singular achievement—no other female gymnast has performed this skill successfully in international competition since.
7. The Derwael II
- Code of Points Value: G (2022–2024)
- Element Type: Release
- Technical Description: Pike sole circle backward with counter-flight in layout, over the high bar, with a ½ turn to hang in mixed L grip
- First Performed By: Nina Derwael (BEL), 2021 European Championships
The Derwael 2 is one of the most technically complex and aesthetically stunning release elements ever performed on uneven bars. Debuted by Belgian Olympic champion Nina Derwael, this skill combines a Shaposhnikova-style toe-on entry with a layout counter flight, a half twist, and a mixed L grip catch—all performed in one continuous motion.
This was originally rated an H (the highest possible rating at the time) when first entered into the Code of Points in 2021, but was downgraded to G in the 2022–2024 update. Even so, it remains one of the hardest skills on bars.
Skill Breakdown
- Starts with a toe-on sole circle backward (like a Shaposhnikova entry)
- Transitions into a layout counter-flight over the high bar—think Hindorff, but in layout
- Adds a ½ twist in the air
- Ends in mixed L grip—one hand over, one hand under—on the high bar
The gymnast must initiate the half turn during flight, before catching the bar, for the skill to be credited. Any delay in rotation or error in grip position could lead to a fall or a downgrade.
As of now, Nina Derwael is the only gymnast to have performed this skill successfully in elite competition. It’s one of those “signature” skills that matches Nina’s long lines, hyper-controlled swing, and toe point. Few others have her style or technical ability to pull it off.