Block: The term "block" in gymnastics is typically used to describe a rapid rebounding off of the floor or aparatus with the arms. The block comes from the shoulders exploding towards extension.

Dismount: The term used for the last skill in the routine. For most events the method used to get off of the event. This skill is required to be at most one skill value below the hardest skill in the routine. eg. if there is a D value skill in the routine, the dismount must be of at least C value.

Events: The 4 women's events in gymnastcs are Floor, Uneven Bars, Beam, Vault.

Extension/Flexion: Extension of a joint is moving toward straightness. Flexion is the opposite. Eg total flexion of your knee is when your heels are in contact with your rear. In the case of the shoulders, extension is pushing your arm away from your torso rather as when doing a handstand and pushing your feet as high as possible.

Flexibility: To have a wide range of motion in a joint. An example of the types of fexibility required of gymnasts is to be able to do the splits, or place ones chin on ones knees without bending ones legs.

Flip: Rotation about the transverse, or the horizontal axis. This axis runs left to right. When you are doing a forward roll you are rotating about the transferse axis.

Grips: Grips are the leather straps that gymnasts wear to help keep a grip on the bars or rings. The purpose of grips is to help maintain a firm grip on the equipment. Though they do help, they do not revent rips. High bar grips are typically 3 finger with a small dowel. Ring grips are 2 finger, long and have a large dowel. Uneven bar grips are 2 finger and have a dowel smaller than rings, but larger than high bar.

Mount: This term is used to identify the first skill in a routine. Mount meaning to get on the apparatus. Gymnasts have found very inventive ways to get onto the equipment.

Whip: Whipping off of an event is when you involuntarily let go. On uneven bars whiping is usually followed by a short uncontrolled flight. Whiping is almost entirely preventable by proper hand and body positions, and equipment review (including grips).

Pit: A pit is typically a hole in the ground filled with chunks of open celled foam. Though injury is still possible in a pit, the amount of give in a pit greatly reduces the risk.

Pointed/Flexed Toes: Toe point is an important factor in gymnastics. When the toes and foot are pulled downward so that the line from the knee to the tip of the toes is essentially straight and their is no angle in the ankle. Flexed toes means the opposite. The toes are pulled upwards till the ankle forms a 90 degree angle.

Punch/Rebound: Bouncing off of the floor or apparatus rather than jumping. Jumping involves bending your legs and pushing, while "punching" involves anticipating the floor and springing off using both any spring in the floor as well as power in your legs.

Rip: A "Rip" in gymnastics is when a flap of skin tears off of your hand when you are swinging an event.

Rotation: Circular motion around an axis. A forward roll is a rotation, as is a twist.

Routine: A routine is a sequence of skills on an event. The number and difficulty of skills depends on the competition format, and skill level of the competetors.

Salto: Another term for flip or roll. A rotation about the transverse axis.

Set: A set is the initiation of most aerial skills. Eg. A set for a back tuck is when the gymnast leaves the floor stretching their arms towards the ceiling, lifting their chest, and spotting the wall in front of them. A set is often counterintuitive and therefore takes focus and determination to maximize its effectiveness.

Spotting: Spotting or to "spot" someone in gymnastics means to assist them in safely completing a skill. The amount of spot can range from simply tapping a leg to completely carrying the gymnast through the motion. A spot can be used to reduce risk of injury, or to ensure proper technique. Spotting can be done hands on or without. Physical contact is not always needed when spotting.

Spotting belt: A spotting belt is a belt that a gymnast wears that is attached to ropes or cables that are generally attached to pulleys connected to the ceiling or a tower. This device allows a coach to "catch" a gymnast when working multiple flipping or twisting skills in a situation when a hand spot would be unfeasable.

Stick: To stick a landing is to land, and remain standing without requiring a step. A proper stick position is with legs bent, shoulders above hips, arms forward. Sticking consistantly takes regular practice.

Tap: Typically a dynamic motion used to generate momentm. The term is most often used on swinging events to describe the kick used to generate the required speed and rotation for a skill. (IE. Tap Swings)

Tight: This term is used by coaches A LOT, but what does it really mean? A tight body position is not simply straight, or extended, but taught. The muscles involved in the extension are squeezed. Positions are held rigid so that different parts of the body can move together. Any flexing in the joints can reduce the effectiveness of certain motions. Much of a gymnasts strength training is to enable "tightness".

Twist: A rotation about the longitudinal, or vertical, axis. This is the axis that runst from your head to your feet. When you spin in a circle while standing you are "twisting". A right twist is defined as the right shoulder going backwards, the converse for a left twist.