Yurchenko (vault)

Yurchenko is the name of both a specific vault and a vault family in artistic gymnastics. The Yurchenko was named after Soviet gymnast Natalia Yurchenko, who originated the vault in the early 1980s.

In a Yurchenko vault, the gymnast does a round-off onto the springboard and a back handspring onto the horse or vaulting table. The gymnast then performs a salto, which may range in difficulty from a simple single tuck to a triple twist layout.

Variations

Any vault with a roundoff-back handspring entry is classified as a "Yurchenko-style" vault in the "Code of Points". Many variations of the original vault have been introduced by gymnasts in international competitions. Even in 2006, gymnasts and coaches continue to develop more difficult versions of the Yurchenko.

Some of the most commonly performed Yurchenko-style vaults include:

*1 1/2 twisting Yurchenko: Roundoff, back handspring entry; one and a half twisting layout. Abbreviated as 1.5Y.
*Double twisting Yurchenko: Roundoff, backhandspring entry; double twisting layout. Abbreviated as DTY.
*Amanar (2 1/2 twisting Yurchenko): Roundoff, back handspring entry; two and a half twisting layout.
*Luconi: Roundoff, back handspring with full turn entry; back tuck/pike/layout somersault
*Podkopayeva: Roundoff, back handspring with half turn entry; front pike somersault with 1/2 twist
*Pyke: Roundoff, back handspring with full entry, double back somersault off.
*López: yurchenko 180° (Roundoff, back handspring with half turn entry)front layout somersault with 1/2 twist

See also

*Yurchenko loop
*Julissa Gomez

External links and references

* [http://gymnnetwork.castledell.com/85universiade/1985UnisAAYurchenkoV.wmv Video of Natalia Yurchenko performing Yurchenko vault] - 1985 Summer Universiade in Kobe, all-around
* [http://www.shanfan.com/animations/96otov/lf96otov1.gifAnimation of a gymnast performing a DTY]
* [http://www.jonatmat.zen.co.uk/jonatmat/Technical/Yurchenko/Yurchenko.htm Developing the Yurchenko from A to Z]
* [http://www.huntingdongymnastics.org/Women's%20Code%20of%20Points.htm List of Yurchenko family vaults with Start Values (old Code of Points)]
* [http://www.usgyms.net/vault_skills.htm Vault skills terminology]