In gymnastics, the vault is one of the most exciting events. It is part of the overall gymnastics routine, along with other apparatus like the uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.
It’s fast, powerful, and impressive, showcasing a gymnast’s strength and precision in just a few seconds. While it’s thrilling to watch, the vault is also one of the most challenging, requiring years of training and perfect technique.
The Vaulting Apparatus
The vaulting apparatus consists of two main components: the runway and the vaulting table. These are the tools that allow gymnasts to build the speed and power they need to launch themselves into the air, executing flips, twists, and powerful landings.
The Runway
The gymnast’s journey begins on the runway, a 25-meter-long track. As the gymnast sprints down the runway, they slowly build momentum. It’s crucial to time the sprint perfectly—too fast or too slow, and the vault won’t have the desired effect. This is where the gymnast sets up the explosive power needed for the rest of the vault.
The Vaulting Table
After sprinting and jumping onto the springboard, the gymnast hits the vaulting table. Unlike the older vaulting horse, the modern vaulting table is padded and has a larger surface area, which offers gymnasts more control when pushing off.
It’s set at a height of 1.25 meters for women and 1.35 meters for men. The vaulting table’s design is crucial for providing the necessary spring to propel gymnasts into the air and enable them to perform complex aerial maneuvers.
Together, these two elements create the foundation for the vault, allowing gymnasts to execute some of the most technically challenging moves in the sport.
The Vaulting Process: Precision in Every Step
Performing a perfect vault is all about speed, strength, and timing. Every movement has to be just right, happening in a split second. It’s like a train picking up speed—slow at first, but then bursting forward at the end when everything clicks.
Here’s how it works:
1. The Approach
The vault starts with a sprint down the runway. This is an important part of the vault because the gymnast builds speed here, which is needed to generate enough power for the jump. As they near the end of the runway, they prepare to leap onto the springboard, gathering the energy for the next step.
2. The Takeoff (Springboard Jump)
Once the gymnast hits the springboard, they push off, using the momentum from the sprint to catapult themselves into the air. The springboard helps them spring upward, giving that extra push to reach the vaulting table. The key here is jumping with the right force and at the right angle to get the height and direction needed.
3. The Flight
Now in the air, the gymnast does the flips, twists, or other acrobatic moves. The flight phase is short but intense, and the gymnast has to keep their body tight and controlled to make sure they land the tricks before getting ready to touch down. This is when the hardest skills are performed, and it all happens quickly.
4. The Landing
The last part of the vault is the landing. The gymnast needs to stick the landing—no steps or wobbles. A clean, controlled landing shows they’ve mastered the vault. Any mistake here, like a stumble or taking an extra step, can cost valuable points.
In the end, performing a successful vault requires a blend of strength, speed, technique, and control. Each phase of the vault must be executed with perfection, and only when all the pieces come together can a gymnast truly shine in this powerful and fast-paced event.
The Vault in Competitive Gymnastics
Vault is often a deciding factor when it comes to qualifying for major events like the Olympics. Gymnasts typically perform two vaults in a competition, and the highest score from the two attempts is used to determine their final score.
A high-difficulty vault like the Amanar or Cheng can score higher than other events, meaning a strong performance here can boost a gymnast’s chances of winning the all-around title. It’s one of the few events in gymnastics where a gymnast can truly make a name for themselves by mastering a high-difficulty skill.
Vaulting is also a unique event in gymnastics because it allows gymnasts to showcase their raw power and explosive strength in a way that other events, like the balance beam or uneven bars, do not. The speed and power needed for the vault make it stand out, and it’s a thrilling moment in any gymnastics competition.
Top 5 Most Difficult Vaults in Gymnastics
Gymnasts are constantly pushing the limits of what is possible, and some vaults stand out due to their incredible complexity and high level of difficulty.
1. Amanar Vault (Yurchenko 2.5 Twist)
Difficulty: ★★★★★
The Amanar vault begins with a Yurchenko entry (round-off onto the springboard, followed by a back handspring onto the vaulting table) but is distinguished by a 2.5 twist in the air. This makes it one of the most difficult vaults in modern gymnastics. The gymnast performs an intense rotation in the air, requiring impeccable timing, control, and power to ensure a clean landing.
Why It’s Difficult: The 2.5 twist in the air means the gymnast needs to rotate quickly and precisely to complete the twist while also ensuring they have enough height to land cleanly. It’s a vault that demands both explosive power and advanced aerial control.
Famous Gymnasts: Simona Amanar (Romania) is credited with popularizing this vault at the highest level, which is why it’s named after her.
2. Cheng Vault (Yurchenko 2.5 Twist)
Difficulty: ★★★★★
The Cheng vault is a variation of the Yurchenko vault but adds a 2.5 twist to the backflip. It begins with a Yurchenko round-off and back handspring onto the vaulting table, followed by the gymnast executing a powerful 2.5 twist in the air. This vault is highly difficult because it combines both high-level twisting and flipping.
Why It’s Difficult: The difficulty comes from the need to rotate quickly while maintaining body control. The gymnast must also manage the precise timing needed to generate the necessary height and speed for the full 2.5 twists in a short amount of time.
Famous Gymnasts: This vault is named after Cheng Fei, a Chinese gymnast who first performed it at an elite level and was known for her incredible vaulting skills.
3. Biles Vault (Amanar with a Half-Twist)
Difficulty: ★★★★★
The Biles vault is an even more advanced version of the Amanar, with an additional half-twist performed during the backflip. This means that in addition to the Yurchenko entry and 2.5 twist of the Amanar, the gymnast adds an extra half-twist, creating a total of 3 twists in the air.
Why It’s Difficult: The addition of the half-twist increases the difficulty significantly because it requires the gymnast to perform a highly controlled and rapid twist during the flight phase. The gymnast has to manage both the height and the rotation, landing precisely without losing form or balance.
Famous Gymnasts: This vault is famously associated with Simone Biles, who first performed it in competition, revolutionizing the sport with her ability to execute such a complex and daring vault.
4. Podkopayeva Vault
Difficulty: ★★★★☆
The Podkopayeva vault involves a round-off onto the springboard followed by a back handspring onto the vaulting table, and then a 1.5 twist in the air. This vault combines a strong push-off from the table with the precision required for a full twist.
Why It’s Difficult: The 1.5 twist in this vault means that the gymnast must rotate quickly and effectively, which requires intense body control and spatial awareness to ensure the twist is completed in time. The timing and precision of the back handspring onto the vaulting table are also critical to executing this vault successfully.
Famous Gymnasts: This vault is named after Elena Podkopayeva, a Soviet gymnast who was known for her strong and technical vaulting.
5. Yurchenko Double Pike
Difficulty: ★★★★★
The Yurchenko Double Pike begins with the gymnast performing a Yurchenko entry (round-off onto the springboard followed by a back handspring onto the vaulting table). From there, the gymnast performs two backflips in a pike position in the air. This vault is extremely difficult due to the combination of two backflips, which requires significant air time and body control.
Why It’s Difficult: The Yurchenko Double Pike is challenging because of the need for both explosive power and excellent aerial control. The gymnast must maintain tight form in the pike position to ensure they complete the flips and land safely. The pike position reduces rotational speed, making it harder to complete two full rotations.
Famous Gymnasts: This vault has been attempted by gymnasts like Simone Biles, who has pushed the boundaries of vaulting with her powerful performances.
The Dangers and Challenges of Vaulting
Vaulting is often considered the most dangerous event in gymnastics, and for good reason. The sheer speed, height, and difficulty of the maneuvers make it a high-risk event for gymnasts. The potential for severe injuries is ever-present, and even the slightest misstep can have serious consequences.
Training for vaulting also takes a toll on a gymnast’s body. The high-impact nature of the sport—especially during landings—puts a lot of stress on the joints, especially the ankles, knees, and wrists. Repeated landings can lead to wear and tear on these areas, increasing the risk of injuries over time. Gymnasts must focus on conditioning, recovery, and injury prevention to maintain peak performance levels.