Level 4 Gymnastics Vault Requirements

The level 4 gymnastics vault is a handstand flat back. This gymnastics vault is competed on a gymnastics skills cushion that must be a minimum of 32 inches high, 5 feet wide, and 10 foot long. The gymnastics skills cushion may be a resi mat or a stack of landing mats, or an inflatable mat. You can add gymnastics skills cushions to make it higher based on your gymnast’s vault capabilities. Every vaulting mat must have a tape line that is 32 inches from the front of the vault mat (this is the landing zone). This tape line must go across and down the sides of the mat. The gymnast must have her hands contact within this landing zone. If her hands go past the tape line, she will receive a deduction from her overall gymnastics vault score.

LEVEL 4 GYMNASTICS VAULT- MAIN GYMNASTICS VAULT SKILLS, REQUIREMENTS, AND DEDUCTIONS!

*Run must show accelerate

*Must not slow down when contacting the spring board

*When punching  the board, feet should be in front of body

*In the pre-flight, shoulders need to me open, head in a neutral position, with a straight extended body (no arch or pike)

*Keep straight legs and pointed toes throughout

*Contact mat with both hands, straight arms, in an inverted vertical position.

*Hands must be within the landing zones

*Do not take steps or hops with hands

*Be sure to land in a straight, stretched out lying position on the mat. Do not arch or bent legs. Keep toes pointed the entire time.

Each gymnast gets two chances to perform a gymnastics vault. The judge will award the gymnast the best score out of the two. A gymnast may have three running approaches without any penalty if they do not touch the springboard or vaulting mat. A level 4 gymnastics vault will be voided if the gymnast does the wrong vault, does a handstand and returns back to the springboard, is assisted by a coach between the time of leaving the board to touching the mat stack, or touches the mat stack or springboard without doing the vault.