High-flying single-bar releases can be some of the most impressive gymnastics we see each season, but other than catching the bars and having pointed toes, what makes a release great? In this article, I break down three of the most common single-bar releases: Jaegers, Tkachevs, and Giengers. For each release, I illustrate what separates the good from the outstanding release in each category. Generally, the judges use the following evaluation points for these skills:
- Most importantly, gymnasts must show a good balance between height and rotation.
- Height (up to 0.2): Hips should be at or above the high bar on their release and continue to rise slightly throughout the skill.
- Rotation (up to 0.1): Their body should extend and rotate backward on regrasp, with their toes behind their shoulders while continuing to extend backward before swinging down.
- Distance: There is no deduction for distance, but arm-bend deductions (up to 0.3) apply for close catches.
- Body position: Gymnasts should have a clear, clean body position with good leg/foot form and body shape.
Jaeger
The Ideal: The release should occur in a tight arch position with hips above the level of the high bar on release. The gymnast’s hips should continue to rise during the forward rotation. The gymnast should complete the release with her hips above the bar just prior to regrasping, with her body opening and extending backward.
Good Example
Release position:
There is good body shape, and her hips are slightly below the high bar on release.
Body position:
There is a clear pike shape (especially earlier in the flip), but she has some leg form (0.05).
Regasp position:
There is good rotation, but her hips are below the bar on the regrasp (0.1).
Great Example
Release position:
Her hips at the level of the high bar, and she has extended shoulders and body position.
Body position:
There is a clear straddle shape, rotation above the high bar, and good leg form.
Regasp position:
There is great rotation, and her hips are at the height of the high bar on her regrasp (0 to 0.05).
Excellent Example
Release position:
Her hips are above the high bar on the release, and she has an open body position.
Body position:
She has a tight pike, beautiful form, and is well above the bar.
Regasp position:
Her body is fully extended with her hips well above the bar.
Tkachev
The Ideal: The release should occur in a tight arch position with hips near vertical above the bar. The athlete should continue to rise following the release and travel backward over the bar. The gymnast should complete the release with her hips above the bar just prior to regrasping, with her body opening and extending backward.
Good Example
Release position:
Her hips are not near vertical, and she has an open body position.
Body position:
She has a great body shape and good height above the bar, but her hips are still in front of the bar at the peak of her release, which will be problematic later.
Regasp position:
Her hips are at high-bar level, but her toes are in front of her shoulders (0.1) and her arms are bent (0.05 to 0.1) on the regrasp.
Great Example
Release position:
Her hips are near vertical and are open but could be more open to generate more power (but this is not a deduction).
Body position:
There is a good straddle shape, her hips are well above high bar, and she has good leg form.
Regasp position:
Her hips are slightly above the high bar on her regrasp with her body extended.
Excellent Example
Release position:
She has good, open shoulders, and her hips are approaching vertical upon release.
Body position:
She has massive height above the bar, good leg form, and a nice straddle shape.
Regasp position:
There is good rotation, her toes are behind her shoulders, and her hips are above the bar on the catch. However, there is some arm bend on the regrasp (0.05 to 0.1).
Gienger
The ideal: The release should occur in a rounded or slightly piked position with the hips at or above the level of the high bar on the release. The gymnast’s hips should continue to rise during the release, and she should complete the release with her hips above the bar just prior to regrasping, with her body opening and extending backward.
Good Example
Release position:
Her hips are at the level of the high bar upon release, and she has a good body shape.
Body position:
Her hips are slightly above the high bar, but her legs are slightly loose (0 to 0.05).
Regasp position:
Her hips are below the high bar upon regrasp (0.1 to 0.15), plus she has a leg separation (0.05 to 0.1) and bent arms (0.05).
Great Example
Release position:
Her hips are above the high bar, and she has a good body position.
Body position:
She rotates well above the high bar, has good shape and nice leg form.
Regasp position:
She has good distance from the bar, her hips are above the bar, and her legs rotate backward with her body extending. However, there is some slight leg form (0.05 to 0.1).
Excellent Example
Release position:
Her hips are above the high bar with a slightly piked body shape.
Body position:
She rotates well above the high bar in a piked position and has good leg form.
Regasp position:
Her hips are well above the high bar on her regrasp, and her body and arms are extended.
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Article by Rhiannon Franck
Rhiannon Franck is a former national-rated NAWGJ women’s gymnastics judge with over 15 years of USAG judging experience and nine seasons judging NCAA gymnastics. Outside of gymnastics, Franck works at a university as a nursing professor and loves to travel. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
