What are the rules on the balance beam?
I · Intermediate · Vault and the women's apparatus · 3 of 9An exercise of up to 90 seconds on a narrow beam, mixing dance and acrobatics. It must include two linked dance elements with a full split in one, a turn or roll and an acrobatic series with a salto. It also needs acrobatic elements both forwards and backwards. After a fall she has 10 seconds to remount.
How it works
- Time: the exercise "may not exceed 1:30 minutes (90 seconds)", timed from take-off to the landing of the dismount.
- Signals: a gong 10 seconds before the limit and again at the limit.
- Overtime: penalised at 91 seconds or more.
- Eight elements: at least three dance and three acrobatic, with two of either kind.
- Requirement one: a connection of two different dance elements, one a leap or jump with a 180-degree split or a straddle.
- Requirement two: a turn, or a roll or flairs.
- Requirement three: an acro series of at least two flight elements, one of them a salto.
- Requirement four: acrobatic elements in different directions, forwards or sideways and backwards.
- Worth: 0.50 each, 2.00 in all.
- On the beam: the requirements must be met on the beam, and handstands and holds do not count towards them.
- Bonuses: connection value for direct links, and a series bonus for three or more elements linked.
- Artistry: composition, rhythm, confidence and use of the whole beam are judged in the E score.
- Falls: 10 seconds to remount, timed separately and not counted in the 90 seconds.
The glossary has the balance beam, the acro series, the dance element, the leap, the split, the artistry entry and the connection value.
Tricky cases
A gymnast grabs the beam with her hands to stay on. Is that a fall?
No, if she stays on. It is an execution fault, and no connection value or series bonus is given for a link where she grasps the beam.
The dismount lands as the final gong sounds. Is there a penalty?
No. There is no deduction if the dismount lands at the sound of the second signal.
She does two back handsprings in a row. Is that an acro series for the requirement?
No. One of the two flight elements must be a salto.
Does time spent on the mat after a fall count against the 90 seconds?
No. The fall is timed separately and the main clock restarts with her first movement back on the beam.
Why the rule exists
On a beam the difficulty is doing ordinary gymnastics with no room for the feet to adjust. The requirements make sure the exercise is a mix: dance, turning and acrobatics in more than one direction. The time limit keeps a gymnast from resting between elements until she feels steady.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Balance beam | 90 seconds, artistry judged | FIG WAG 12.1 |
| Women's floor | 90 seconds, with music | FIG WAG 13.1 |
| Uneven bars | No dance requirement, 30 seconds after a fall | FIG WAG 11 |
| Men | No beam | FIG MAG sections 10 to 15 |
From the rule book
Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, Code of Points 2025-2028, WAG section 12. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: 2025-2028 Code of Points, Women's Artistic Gymnastics and Men's Artistic Gymnastics (PDF).