Vault Entries

Having grown up in this sport I forget that the average person doesn't know the difference between vaults.  I know that when I watch ice skating I can't tell the difference between a toe loop or a toe lutz so how should someone who isn't a gymnast be able to decipher between a Yurchenko and a Tsukaraha?  Hopefully this post will help provide some clarity.

There are three main entries into a vault.  An entry is how a gymnast actually gets onto the vault table(the flat part of the vault).

Yurchenko Entry

The first vault we'll review is called a Yurchenko.  (yur-chain-co) Yurchenkos are names after Natalia Yurchenko who revolutionized vaulting with this new entry in the early 1980's by being the first ever to compete this vault.  Gymnasts who compete entirely new skills at an International Level are honored by having the skill named after them.  In this vault the gymnast sprints down the runway, places his hands in front of the springboard and round-offs (a cartwheel that lands on two feet) onto the springboard.  From here, with his feet on the board and his back to the vault, he does a back handspring from the springboard and places his hands on the vault table.  From this position he will flip off.  If you had trouble understanding that feel free to watch the video below.  The important thing to note when specifying that the vault is a Yurchenko is that the gymnasts hands are on the runway in front of the springboard before he flips onto the vault.  (Ignore the coach talking in this video,simply watch how the vaulter is getting onto the vault.)

Tsukahara Entry

That basically covers Yurchenkos.  The next vault I'll be explaining are Tsuakaharas.  (sue-kuh-hahr-uhs)  In the gymnasts world we shorten this down to Tsuks (sue-ks). The first Tsukahara vault was performed by (and therefore named after) Mitsue Tsukahara in 1972. A Tsuk entry is when the gymnast sprints down the runway, jumps with both feet onto the springboard, and then somewhat cartwheels onto the vault.  At this point the gymnast is sideways on the vault (in the video you will see the vaulters stomach) from here they must  perform a 1/4 turn so that their chest is facing the vault. Once their chest is facing the vault they will flip. Again, ignore the coach, merely watch the video to see how the vaulter is getting onto the vault table.

Front Handspring Entry

The last entry that we will look at is a front handspring entry.  In a front handspring entry vault a gymnast sprints down the runway, jumps onto the springboard with both feet, and then jumps forwards to her hands.  Once they are upside down on the vault with their hands on the vault and their feet in the air above them the gymnast will flip off of their hands forward.

Keep reading further down on Chalked Up to learn more about vault!