Editing Balance beam

{{Short description|Artistic gymnastics apparatus}}
[[File:Daniela Silivaş 1987b.jpg|thumb|275px|[[Daniela Silivaș]] performing on the balance beam at the 1987 World Championships]]
The '''balance beam''' is a rectangular [[artistic gymnastics]] apparatus and an event performed using the apparatus. The apparatus and the event are sometimes simply called "beam". The English abbreviation for the event in gymnastics scoring is '''BB'''. The balance beam is performed competitively only by [[female]] [[gymnast]]s.

== The Apparatus==
The beam is a small, thin [[Beam (structure)|beam]] that is typically raised from the floor on a leg or stand at both ends. It is usually covered with leather-like material and is only four inches wide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rockstaracademy.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-balance-beam-in-gymnastics |title=Everything You Need To Know About Balance Beam in Gymnastics |website=Rockstar Academy |access-date=26 July 2024}}</ref>

Balance beams used in international gymnastics competitions must conform to the guidelines and specifications set forth by the [[Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique|International Gymnastics Federation]] ''Apparatus Norms'' brochure. Several companies manufacture and sell beams, including AAI (USA), [[Janssen-Fritsen]] (Europe) and Acromat (Australia). Most gymnastics schools purchase and use balance beams that meet the FIG's standards, but some may also use beams with carpeted surfaces for practice situations. While learning new skills, gymnasts often work on floor beams with the same dimensions and surface of regulation apparatus but are set a very short distance from or on the ground. They may also work on medium beams, mini beams, road beams, or even lines on a mat.

Originally, the beam surface was plain polished wood.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title= History of Balance Beam|url= http://www.gymmedia.com/Ghent2001/appa/beam/history_be.htm|access-date= 2009-10-04|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090618150645/http://gymmedia.com/ghent2001/appa/beam/history_be.htm|archive-date= 2009-06-18|url-status= dead}}</ref> In earlier years, some gymnasts competed on a beam made of basketball-like material. However, this beam type was eventually banned due to its extreme slipperiness. Since the 1980s, beams have been covered in leather or suede. In addition, they are now also sprung to accommodate the stress of high-difficulty tumbling, turns, and poses.<ref>{{cite web|title=Apparatus Norms |url=http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1540 |publisher=[[Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique|FIG]] |page=II/50 |format=PDF |access-date=2009-10-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219195725/http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1540 |archive-date=2011-12-19 }}</ref>

The [[Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique]] (FIG) publishes the apparatus's measurements in the ''Apparatus Norms'' brochure.
*Height: {{convert|125|cm|ft}}<ref name=dimensions>{{cite web|title=Apparatus Norms |url=http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1540 |publisher=[[Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique|FIG]] |page=II/51 |format=PDF |access-date=2009-10-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219195725/http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1540 |archive-date=2011-12-19 }}</ref>
*Length: {{convert|500|cm|ft}}<ref name="dimensions"/>
*Width: {{convert|10|cm|in}}<ref name="dimensions"/>

[[File:2019-06-30 1st FIG Artistic Gymnastics JWCH Women's Apparatus finals Balance beam (Martin Rulsch) 107.jpg|thumb|Chinese gymnast [[Wei Xiaoyuan]] competing on the beam at the [[2019 Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|2019 Junior World Championships]].]]

== Competition ==
A beam routine must consist of:<ref name=bb>{{cite web|title=WAG Code of Points 2009-2012 |url=http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/public.php?folder=243 |publisher=[[Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique|FIG]] |page=26 |format=PDF |access-date=2009-10-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212150907/http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/public.php?folder=243 |archive-date=February 12, 2009 }}</ref>
*A connection of two dance elements, one a leap, jump, or hop with legs in a 180-degree split
*A full turn on one foot
*One series of two acrobatic skills, one being a [[somersault|salto]]
*Acrobatic elements in different directions (forward/sideward and backward)
*A dismount

The gymnast may mount the beam using a springboard or from the mat; however, the mount must come from the Code of Points.<ref name=bb /> The routines can last up to 90 seconds.<ref name=bb />

=== Scoring ===
''For detailed information on score tabulation, please see the [[Code of Points (artistic gymnastics)|Code of Points]] article.''

Several aspects of the performance determine the gymnast's final mark. All elements in the routine, as well as all errors, are noted by the judges.

Deductions are taken for all errors made while on the beam, including lapses in control, balance checks (i.e., wobbling or stumbling to maintain balance), poor technique and execution, and failure to fulfill the required ''Code of Points'' elements. Falls automatically incur a deduction depending on the level the gymnast is on.<ref>{{cite web|title=WAG Code of Points 2009-2012 |url=http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1258 |publisher=[[Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique|FIG]] |page=15 |format=PDF |access-date=2009-10-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219204732/http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1258 |archive-date=2011-12-19 }}</ref>

[[File:Dorina Böczögő, balance beam, 2012.jpg|right|thumb|[[Dorina Böczögő]] performing a one-arm press hold during her mount, 2012.]]

=== Rules ===
The gymnast may compete barefoot or wear special beam shoes if she chooses. She may also chalk her hands and/or feet for added stability on the apparatus. Small markings may also be placed on the beam.<ref name=beamrules>{{cite web|title=WAG Code of Points 2009-2012 |url=http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1258 |publisher=[[Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique|FIG]] |page=2 |format=PDF |access-date=2009-10-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219204732/http://figdocs.lx2.sportcentric.com/external/serve.php?document=1258 |archive-date=2011-12-19 }}</ref>

Once the exercise has started, the gymnast's coach may not spot her or interfere. The only time the gymnast may be accompanied on the podium is during a mount involving a springboard. In this instance, the coach may quickly remove the springboard from the area.
In the event of a fall, once the athlete is on her feet, she has 10 seconds to remount the beam and continue the routine.<ref name=bb /> If she does not return to the beam within this time limit, she cannot continue.<ref name=bb />

Under FIG rules, the maximum allowed time for a balance beam routine is 1:30 minutes.<ref name=bb /> The routine is timed on the scoreboard timer, visible to gymnasts and judges. In addition, a warning tone or bell is sounded at 1:20 into the exercise.<ref name=bb /> If the gymnast has not left the beam by 1:30, another bell is sounded, and a score deduction is incurred, which is 0.1.

== History ==
[[File:Daniele Hypólito 16072007.jpg|right|thumb|[[Daniele Hypólito]] performing on the balance beam in 2007]]
In the early days of women's artistic gymnastics, beam was based more on dance than in [[Tumbling (gymnastics)|tumbling]]. Even at the elite level, routines were composed of combinations of leaps, dance poses, [[handstand]]s, rolls, and walkovers. In the 1960s, the most difficult acrobatic skill performed by the average Olympic gymnast was a [[handspring (Gymnastics)#Back handspring|back handspring]].

Balance beam difficulty began to increase dramatically in the 1970s. [[Olga Korbut]] and [[Nadia Comăneci]] pioneered advanced tumbling combinations and aerial skills on beam; other athletes and coaches began to follow suit. The change was also facilitated by transitioning from wooden beams to safer, less slippery models with suede-covered surfaces and elastic padding.<ref name=":0" /> By the mid-1980s, top gymnasts routinely performed flight series and multiple aerial elements on beam.

Today, balance beam routines still consist of a mixture of acrobatic skills, dance elements, leaps, and poses, but they are significantly more difficult. It is also an individual medal competition in the Olympics.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Balance beam}}

<!-- broken link: * [http://www.fig-gymnastics.com/index2.jsp?menu=RULES The 2006 ''Code of Points''] -->
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121111033313/http://www.fig-gymnastics.com/vsite/vnavsite/page/directory/0,10853,5187-188433-205655-nav-list,00.html Apparatus description at the FIG website]
* [http://www.gymmedia.com/ghent2001/appa/beam/history_be_d.htm History of the balance beam (in German and English)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040811223545/http://usgyms.net/beam_skills.htm US Gym Net's glossary of beam skills]

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[[Category:Artistic gymnastics apparatus]]