This event is very quick and is over in a few seconds. The gymnast runs down a runway and bounces off a springboard, over a table about 3ft wide and 3.5ft long at varying heights. The entry onto and off the table is different with every gymnast and may include twists, saltos, and handsprings, front and back. To see a full vault routine click here.
This event takes place on a set of bars, one higher than the other at varying heights and distances, not excluding 5.4ft for the low bar, 8ft for the high bar, and 6ft between the bars. When gymnasts compete in this event, they execute a series of swinging skills. Mounts can be executed from high or low bar and one change between the bars is always included, though there can be many. The dismount is usually done from the high bar, and is usually some kind of salto or twist. Skills in between can include handstands on top of the bar, releasing the bar before catching again, and swings around the bar. To see a full uneven bars routine click here.
This event is usually the most difficult for gymnasts, as it takes place on a 4in wide beam anywhere from 2-4ft off the ground. Beam is usually a more graceful flowy routine, with dance incorporated in, choreographed by the coach or gymnast. Mounts can be as simple as jumping onto the beam, performing a salto that lands on the beam, or a press to handstand to a sit or stand on the beam. Dismounts are usually saltos and twists, but may also include handstands and jumps. Beam incorporates both dance and acro skills. A turn and leap jump pass of some kind is always included along with multiple acro skills. These skills may include something as simple as a handstand or cartwheel to as complicated as a backhandspring, salto, or twist. These acro skills can also be done in sequences, combining two or more together into a series. Each routine cannot exceed 90 seconds. To see a full balance beam routine click here.
This event is much like beam, except that it is performed on a 40ftx40ft spring floor with music. These routines last anywhere from a minute to a minute and a half, and include much more dance than beam. Gymnasts choreograph dance to their chosen music, which is broken up by skills, such as turns, leaps, and tumbling passes. These routines usually include one front and one back tumbling pass. The passes can include roundoffs, handsprings, saltos and twists, front and back. There can be both front and back tumbling in one pass. Floor also includes stationary skills such as handstands, rolls, and splits. To see a full floor routine click here.
To learn more about women's gymnastics events, visit the USA Gymnastics site.