Gymnastics: Lifting into a Sputnik balance. into backwards summersault

Starting situation.

A stands upright and side on to the face of B.

B stands upright, in a wide base,and face on to the side of A. Grip.

A grips the inside shoulder of B, with palms down. B places the inside hand palm on the lower back of A. The outside hand, in undergrasp grip,under the raised flexed knee of A.

Base. A wide upright and firm stance.

Works when gymnast A stands side on to the inside shoulder of B. Gymnast A raises one flexed inside leg, and places their inside hand, palms down, on to the inside shoulder of gymnast B. The outside arm is kept low and straight. Gymnast B pushes the palm of their inside hand on to the lower back of gymnast A. Their outside hand grips under the knee joint of the raised leg of A. Palm upwards in an undergrasp grip. Gymnast A flexes the support leg and then co-ordinates a vertical hop, a firm press down on the inside shoulder of B,and an arm swing "forward and up" of the free arm. Gymnast B co-operates with the timed take off, by lifting and pushing with the inside hand on the lower back of A, and by lifting vertically under the flexed knee of A, with their outside hand. Gymnast B lifts A from the vertical hop,and thereafter lowers A back to the starting situation. N.B. This becomes the starting situation for a Pitched Backward Somersault later in the course.

Starting situation.

A face away from B. B face on to the back of A and close to A.

Grip. B grasps the upper arms of A in a forward overgrasp grip. Base. Legs wide apart sideways or in a Lunge position.

Works when gymnast A stands in front of, and close to B. Face away from B with arms held wide and tense.

Gymnast B stands behind A, face on to the back of A. By taking hold of the upper arms of A in a forward overgrasp grip, B prepares to lift A. Gymnast A co-ordinates a vertical jumping action with B executing a Lifting action.

Starting situation. A face away from B. B face on to the back of A and close to A. Grip. B grasps the upper arms of A in a forward overgrasp grip. Base. Legs wide apart sideways or in a Lunge position. Works when gymnast A stands in front of, and close to B. Face away from B with arms held wide and tense. Gymnast B stands behind A, face on to the back of A. By taking hold of the upper arms of A in a forward overgrasp grip, B prepares to lift A. Gymnast A co-ordinates a vertical jumping action with B executing a Lifting action.

Starting situation. A in front of, and face away from B. B face on to the back of A and close to A. Grip. B grips the fists of A, or the heels of the palms of the hands of A,in a forward undergrasp grip. Base. Legs wide apart sideways, or in a lunge position. Works when gymnast A stands upright in front of, and face away from B, holding tense straight arms squeezed into the sides of the body. Either making a Fist, or flexing at the wrists to point fingers forwards. Gymnast B stands behind A, face on to the back of A, and holding either the fists of , or the palms of the hands of A, in a forward undergrasp grip. Gymnast A executes a vertical jumping action in co-ordination with the lifting action of B. At the top of the lift gymnast A may perform a Shape, (tuck, straddle,pike,) leg design, or maintain a straight shape before being lowered to the ground.