Although not the flashiest skill on beam, beat jumps and cat leaps are frequently added to the beginning or end of a D/E acro or dance element to earn an extra tenth of bonus. Because these skills are relatively simple for high-level athletes, they offer an easy way to gain bonus or fulfill a dance series requirement. However, simplicity doesn’t excuse poor execution. I’ll admit, poorly performed beat jumps and cat leaps are one of my personal pet peeves on beam, and I routinely took amplitude deductions of up to 0.2 for these elements when I was judging. Additionally, cat leaps often have slow or hesitant connections into the next skill, which can incur up to a two-tenth rhythm deduction—or even break the series entirely.
Ideally, a cat leap should show clear forward movement and hip rise, flowing continuously into the next skill without hesitation. The knees should lift to or above hip level, with thighs parallel to the beam or turned outward. The beat jump should also demonstrate strong amplitude, rising well above the beam and be performed immediately after the preceding skill’s landing.
Cat Leaps and Beat Jumps
Good Example
Rhythm (0.1) or broken connection
Amplitude (0.1)
In this example, the cat leap looks almost like a couple of high steps, rather than the intended skill. Although she does technically have airtime, if you blink, you might miss it. Her connection is also very slow, and some judges may break it for landing on a straight leg and pumping her takeoff leg into the aerial. Her hips also briefly stop moving forward, another sign of a broken connection.
Other judges may choose to give the connection (giving 0.1 in bonus) but take 0.1 in rhythm, which would result in the same score but would keep the coach from being able to inquire the start value or cause judges to debate whether or not the series was connected.
Great Example
Rhythm (0.05)
This is an example of the average cat leap connection that we see in college. It’s slow and controlled, but the gymnast has clear amplitude and more consistent movement between the cat leap and the aerial. There is still a hesitation after the jump into the aerial, which is why I would take a rhythm deduction in this example.
Excellent Example
In this example, the gymnast has great amplitude on all of her jumps and a smooth, seamless connection of the beat jump following the switch half. I would break the connection of the cat leap, though, as her hips clearly stop moving as she straightens and extends her leg leading into the switch half.
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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.
