The acro series on beam – it’s a requirement that can make or break the routine! If the series is not connected, it’s an automatic 0.5 off the start value for the routine, in addition to any execution deductions, balance errors, or falls. But what is necessary to consider a series connected?
For a forward, sideward, counter (backward/forward or vice versa) series, or a backward non-flight series, the series is considered broken if:
- Stop between elements (body completely stops moving for any length of time)
- Loss of balance
- Movement/repositioning of foot/feet or pivoting
- Extra step, hop, or jump between elements
- Legs fully straighten and plie again to initiate the next element
- Kick or leg swing above 45 degrees leading into the next element
- Any deviation of body movement which is NOT in line with the beam
For a backward acro flight series AND sideward to backward flight series, all of the above will break a connection, PLUS:
- Any delay in immediate take-off of the second element
- Arms moving as low as the thighs or further back after landing the first element (arms are allowed to circle if the second element is a gainer back handspring or gainer layout)
- Cautious, slow moving attempt to connect the elements
There are NO rhythm deductions for a backward acro flight series or a sideward to backward flight series, but for all other series, an up to 0.20 rhythm deduction can be applied for a series that is continuous, but slow.
For backward and sideward-backward flight series, if it’s SLOW, it’s NO!
So, how can you tell if a series is connected? First, if you’re the gymnast, take a video. Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether it’s continuous while you’re performing the series. If you’re a coach or a judge looking at an athlete’s series, you’ll need to train your eye to look for the different errors that can result in a broken series.
Let’s look at some video examples of different acro series, and after you watch each video, scroll down for an analysis of whether the series is connected or not, and why!
Cartwheel-Roundoff
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This series looks connected, but she kicks her leg above 45 degrees each time she performs it. A kick above 45 degrees breaks her connection, so she would not get credit for this acro series.
Handstand-Back Handspring
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This series is connected, but she has a Value Part problem. At Level 8 and below, a gymnast is allowed to use a handstand as part of her acro series. To receive Value Part credit, the handstand must be held for 2 seconds. This handstand was not held for 2 seconds, which would leave her with a 0 Value Part connected to her back handspring, and no acro series.
Back Handspring-Back Handspring
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This series is connected, as she moves quickly from the first back handspring to the second. I would deduct a bit for arm bend, but the connection is there. Nice job!
Back Handspring-Back Handspring
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This one is really nice! Great connection, moving continuously from one back handspring to the next.
Back Handspring-Back Handspring
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In this connection, you can see a small foot movement, and a slow connection between the two back handsprings. Either of these problems by themselves would break the series, so this one would not receive acro series credit. She would also only receive Value Part credit for the first back handspring, since both back handsprings are considered isolated (not connected to any other skill).
Back Handspring-Back Handspring (2 attempts)
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Attempt #1 is clearly broken, as the gymnast moves her foot in between the back handsprings. Attempt #2 is closer to a connection, but you’ll want to note the principles for awarding connection to a backward series. If there is a slow moving connection, NO credit is awarded. This second attempt would not receive acro series credit because the connection is slow moving. Just like the last series attempt, she would only receive Value Part credit for the first back handspring.
Back tuck-Back handspring
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This is a close one. Her hands move slightly past her thighs which, by definition, breaks the connection. Her rhythm isn’t bad, but it’s still not exactly immediate. It’s difficult to connect a back tuck immediately into another backward skill. My opinion? There’s enough criteria met to break this series. You could get lucky and get credit for it some of the time, but I would recommend trying a different series that is easier to connect.
Back tuck-back handspring
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No question, this one is broken. Her front foot moves as she stops and swings her arms to get into the back handspring. Once again, she would be better off choosing a different series that is easier to connect.
Front Handspring-Back Tuck
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This is a good example of a counter series, connecting a forward and backward element. This series is connected with a small rhythm deduction. I would consider it a front walkover-back tuck series, though, because the front handspring did not have flight. There was never a moment when her hands and feet both left the beam. If she’s a Level 8, no problem, but at Level 9 and above she would not get acro series credit because two flight elements are required in a B+C series.
Front Aerial-Back Tuck
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Here’s another great example of a counter series. This one is connected as well, with a slight rhythm deduction, but overall very well performed.
Back Pike-Back Pike
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This series is broken, as she swings her arms past her thighs and moves her foot in between skills. She would still get credit for both skills, because she performs a split jump into the first back pike, making it a different connection than the second one. Also, the video says back tuck-back tuck, but both saltos look like pikes to me, so that’s what I wrote down. Either way, they’re still C Value Parts.
Front Aerial-BHS-Layout Stepout
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This 3-element series is connected, with a rhythm deduction between the front aerial and the back handspring. Nicely done!
Front Aerial-Back Handspring
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This counter series is clearly broken, as she stops and moves her feet between elements.
Front Aerial-Layout Stepout
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This combination is connected, and done very well, with only the slightest of hesitation before initiating the layout.
Front Aerial-Back Handspring
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Probably the smoothest connection we’ve seen yet on a counter series. Very well done!
Front Aerial-Layout Stepout
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This counter acro series is nicely connected as well. Great job!
Back Handspring-Aerial
This gymnast has a small balance error after the back handspring, which takes her out of alignment with the beam. This balance error breaks her connection, so she would not get credit for this acro series.
Aerial-Aerial
This kick goes almost to horizontal between the two aerials, so this series would be considered broken. She would need to kick to 45 degrees or below to get series credit.
Aerial-Aerial
This is a nicely connected aerial-aerial, and you’ll see that her leg never lifts above 45 degrees. Great job!
The above series displayed a number of common errors in connections, including many different combinations. Want to know if a series is getting credit? Send me a message and I’m happy to take a look!
*** Sources: J.O. Code of Points, 2018-2022
Further Reading
Making Sense of Composition: Level 8 Beam
