After run-up and take-off, the first flight phase occurs, the head is extended, the arms continue to move upwards and touch the horse at an acute angle. We try to perform an active backward swing of the lower limbs. With a short and strong push-up from the shoulders and hands, we move to the second flight phase, the legs are spread just after this push-up from the hands. The hips are slightly bent while the feet swing forward apart.Tthe trunk rises up, the arms swing forward and sideward. Just before landing, we put the legs together.

The element can be divided into the following phases: run-up, take-off from the springboard, the first flight phase, take-off from the upper limbs, the second flight phase, and landing. By the run-up, the gymnast gains the kinetic energy needed to perform the vault. In the rebound from the springboard, we use the conversion of the elastic into kinetic energy. During the 1st flight phase, the gymnast's body rotates forward. From the point of view of kinematics, a sharp angle between the arms and the apparatus of about 75° is important at the first support. After touching the apparatus, the fast rebound from the outstretched arms produces a large impact force, or reaction force, as implied by the impulse-momentum theorem. During the 2nd flight phase, the body rotates backward.

• Excessive forward trunk lean in the take-off phase leading to too low and flat flight and excessive shoulder flexion in the support phase of the arms against the apparatus.
• The trunk is insufficiently raised up before the landing.
• Too early spread of the legs in the first flight phase.

• Physical preparation 1

  Jumping pre-elements are required before practicing the straddle over.

  Go to pre-elements
• Physical preparation 2

  We develop flexibility of the hip joints.

• Drill 1

  We can start practicing the straddle over the partner's back by leaning on the ground, then leaning on the knees.

• Drill 2

  Continue with a straddle over from the top of the vaulting box.

• Drill 3

  Practice straddle over the lower vaulting box without a springboard. Gradually raise the box.

• Drill 4

  Perform the whole element with assistance, then without it.

Standing in front of a gymnast, legs apart, the spotter holds the gymnast's arms close to the shoulders, ideally at the moment of touching the equipment. During the landing, the spotter raises the gymnast's arms sideward.