Level 5 Uneven Bars Requirements

Check The World of Gymnastics, a great site which helped me compile some of this information, for more requirements. The site provides this type of information for a lot of different routines over multiple levels.

In a level 5 uneven bar routine, judges will look for fluid connections, good body position, and attention to detail from the gymnast throughout both the low bar and high bar sections of the routine. The following is a list of individual requirements for the level 5 bar routine. If any of these requirements are missing, deductions will be taken.



Glide Kip
The glide kip can be performed in either a straddle or a pike position and with or without the use of a springboard, depending on the gymnasts' and coaches' preferences. If the gymnast chooses to perform a straddle glide kip, her feet must come together at the end of the glide. For both types of kips, the gymnast must leave the ground or springboard off of two feet at the same time and must lead with her feet in the glide. Gymnast must not bend elbows during the kip and must end in front support. The glide kip connects into a front hip circle.

Front Hip Circle
Gymnast must maintain straight, tight hollow body position all the way around the bar, with head neutral and arms straight. Must end in front support. Failure to maintain hip or upper thigh contact with the bar will result in up to a 0.20 deduction.

Cast, Squat on
First cast must be directly connected out of the front hip circle. Gymnast must show a straight line from shoulders to feet, a tight hollow body without any arch in the back, and must reach a 45 degree angle (or horizontal to the bar). The gymnast should control her body as she brings her hips back to the bar. The second cast for the squat on follows the same requirements as the first cast - although the gymnast is squatting or piking on, she must still reach 45 degrees and can only raise her hips when she is performing the squat or pike on. Both feet must land between the gymnasts hands at the same time.

Jump to High BarThe gymnast should show a tight body, no leg separation, and pointed toes during the jump, which directly connects to the Long Hang Kip.

Long Hang KipGymnast should swing to near horizontal before beginning the kip and must maintain straight arms throughout, ending again in a front support position.

Cast, Back Hip Circle
Gymnast must connect the cast right out of the long hang kip. The same requirements apply to this cast as to the low bar casts. Gymnast must maintain a straight, tight body position throughout the back hip circle and, as with the front hip circle, must maintain hip or upper thigh contact with the bar throughout.

Underswing
Gymnast must show a smooth transition from the back hip circle to the underswing. Must show hip or thigh contact throughout with the same straight hollow body position.

First Back SwingOn the back swing, the gymnast's hips must rise to at least 30 degrees below the high bar. Must maintain a straight line from shoulders to hips.

First Tap Swing
Gymnast must show "tapping" motion - that is, she must show a slight, tight arch throughout her body with feet behind her at the bottom of the swing, then raise the feet again in front, finding the tight hollow body position. Feet must reach to at least the height of the high bar at the top of the swing.

Second Back SwingSame basic motion as the first back swing with the same body position requirements, but on the second back swing the gymnast's hips must reach to 15 degrees below the height of the high bar or higher.

Half Turn DismountGymnast must reach a height of at least 45 degrees below the high bar. Must show a complete 180 degree turn before re-grasping the bar. The gymnast must re-grasp before letting go of the bar. Of course with any dismount, the judges will be looking for a controlled landing.