Tsukaharas and Yurchenkos are two of the most important vault entry styles in artistic gymnastics. Both can lead to world-class difficulty, but they ask the gymnast’s body to do very different things on the board, on the table, and in the air.
Here’s a clear, coach-friendly breakdown of how they work, why they feel different, and which pathway tends to suit which athlete.
How Each Entry Actually Works
Yurchenko: Round-off → Back Handspring Onto the Table
- Approach & hurdle. Sprint, hurdle, and round-off to face backward on the board. The aim is a flat, fast round-off that preserves speed and sets a tight, turned-over line.
- Pre-flight (BHS). Immediately back handspring onto the table with a long reach. Cue: “fast turnover, long hands.” The shoulders stay open, heels drive back, and the hands land with speed and distance from the board.
- Block. With the chest up and ribs in, the gymnast blocks explosively through straight arms and an open shoulder angle, converting horizontal speed into upward and rotational energy.
- Post-flight. The result is a backward salto—tucked, piked, or laid out—with or without twist. The long line on the table provides extra time for larger shapes or high-rate twists (DTY, Amanar). Modern “half-on” variations (like the Cheng: round-off, ½-on, layout 1½ off) still begin with Yurchenko round-off mechanics.
Key feel: “Run fast, flip long, block big.”
Tsukahara: Forward Board → ¼–½ Turn (“Half-On”) → Block
- Approach & board. Sprint directly toward the table and punch the board facing forward.
- Pre-flight turn. Initiate a ¼–½ turn in the air before the hands contact the table (the classic “half-on”). The timing is delicate: too early and you lose block height; too late and you risk missing the hand placement.
- Block. Land with a tighter shoulder angle and a more compact body line. The block is short and snappy, transferring energy quickly into twisting or layout tension.
- Post-flight. From there, the gymnast performs a backward salto. In MAG, progression often runs through the Tsuk (¼–½ on, twist off during salto) and the Kasamatsu (a half-on with an additional ¼ turn carried into the salto), enabling high-rate twist upgrades. In WAG, Tsuks appear more selectively, but the entry rewards athletes with elite twist timing.
Key feel: “Face the table, snap a clean half-on, then block.”
Family Trees and Common Upgrades
Yurchenko-Based Progressions (WAG & MAG)
The Yurchenko family dominates women’s vaulting and remains a major pathway in men’s gymnastics too. Its versatility comes from how easily gymnasts can scale difficulty by changing body shape or twist count:
- Layouts: Start simple with the Yurchenko layout (no twist), then add rotations → layout full (1/1) → double full (DTY, 2/1) → 2½ twists (Amanar).
- Shape upgrades: Many athletes progress from tuck or pike to layout; at the highest level, specialists even attempt the Yurchenko double pike.
- Half-on branch (still round-off entry): Vaults like the Lopez (½-on, layout ½ off) and Cheng (½-on, layout 1½ off) borrow Yurchenko speed and board setup but change the table contact to a half-on for additional twisting possibilities.
Tsukahara & Kasamatsu-Based Progressions (Especially MAG)
The Tsukahara family is more common in men’s gymnastics, though women sometimes compete it. Its mechanics split into two distinct branches:
- Tsukahara series: Builds from the half-on, layout base. A gymnast may start with a straight Tsuk layout, then progress to twists → Tsuk full → Tsuk double full, with some pushing even further.
- Kasamatsu series: Adds a ¼-turn carryover from the pre-flight, which changes how twists “stack.” This creates the Kas 1/1, Kas 1½, Kas 2/1, and beyond—a highly efficient path to big-twist vaults, favored in men’s gymnastics for maximum D-score.
Which Entry “Fits” Which Gymnast?
Every gymnast’s body type, power profile, and coordination style will naturally lean toward one vault family over the other. While both entries can be taught, certain athletes thrive in one system:
- Power + trampoline-style turnover → Yurchenko.
Athletes with a huge round-off and explosive back handspring usually find more height and float time with Yurchenkos. That tall trajectory makes twisting upgrades like the DTY, Amanar, or Cheng feel more natural and controlled. - Sharp orientation changes + fast twisting → Tsukahara.
Athletes who excel at half-on timing and can square the block instantly often prefer the Tsuk/Kas route. The compact, vertical block feeds directly into high-rate twisting layouts, explaining why Kasamatsu vaults dominate in men’s gymnastics.
Coaching note: Strong programs often introduce both entries at the basic level so athletes can discover their natural bias before committing to one upgrade pathway.
FAQs (Clearing Up Common Confusions)
Is a Cheng “really” a Yurchenko?
Yes. The Cheng belongs to the round-off family but adds a ½-on at the table. It starts with Yurchenko speed but has a half-on contact like Tsuk/Kas. Think: “Yurchenko approach, Tsuk-style contact.”
Tsuk vs. Kas—what’s the difference?
Both involve a half-on, but the Kasamatsu carries an extra ¼ turn into the salto, changing the twist axis and allowing gymnasts to “stack” twists more efficiently for higher upgrades.
Which is safer to learn first?
Neither is inherently safer. The safer choice depends on the gymnast’s current strengths: strong back handspring turnover favors Yurchenko, while sharp half-on timing points toward Tsuk. Both should be introduced progressively with mats and soft-surface drills.
In short: Yurchenkos reward power and float, while Tsukaharas reward precision and twist control. Both can lead to the world stage.
