Gymnastics

Un-Even Bars; Giants

“A forward and backward giant swings are the basis of asymmetric bar routines. The gymnast must have excellent mid-body core stability in the handstand position and the ability to dynamically close and open the shoulder angle before attempting to learn the giant swing.” (pg. 43). Lloyd Readhead’s book, Crowood Sports Guides Gymnastics Skills, offers a great definition and skill set for performing a giant. I personally do not have my giant skill, although I have been working on learning skills to develop my giant in the future. The book examples some great key points to make sure to hit during the completion of a giant, some listing, “Fully extend the body before displacing the heels to commence the downswing. In the first quarter of the swing extend the body to maximize the swing potential. Draw the hips into a pike to allow the legs to clear the bottom bar.” (pg. 43). This is just saying to extend and squeeze your muscles to get good momentum after the cast and extension, then to pike, bending at the waist, to avoid hitting your feet on the low bar. After this you extend to pick up your momentum to carry your body back over the bar. In these pictures, I am exampling a cast extension and swing down, with a bend waist in a pike position.