Circles on Mushroom

The circle on mushroom is a basic drill for learning circles on pommel horse or beam. The gymnast should start learning circles early on in their career. This will help them develop higher quality circles with the proper technique because gymnasts can perform more repetitions overall if they start at a younger age. To do this drill, the gymnast must first place their hands on the horizontal line across the mushroom. During the performance, the athlete should not change this position of their hands. They should start in front support with their shoulders leaned slightly forward. They should face their hands forward with their fingers spread for better support. Next, they should step to the side opposite of their desired circle direction. The athlete does this opposite move, jumps in the desired direction, and closes their legs to start the circle. The entire circle should be performed with a completely straight body. There are several universal points that the gymnast should follow:

• Maintain a completely extended circle with an open chest at the first and third quarters;

• The arms and legs should remain tight, no exceptions;

• At the first quarter of the circle, the base arm pushes the mushroom identically with the direction of the circle. In that quarter, the leading part of the body should be the hips. During the second quarter, the gymnast should put their other hand down, and finish the quarter in rear support;

• In the third quarter, the gymnast should switch the support hand and start pushing down on the mushroom in the opposite direction from the circle trajectory. The leading part of the body during this phase are the heels;

• In the fourth quarter, the gymnast should put their first hand back down on the mushroom and finish in front support. In order to assure continuity, the body should not touch the mushroom, and the shoulders should lean forward;

• In the fourth quarter, the gymnast put the first hand on the mushroom and finishes in front support. In order to assure continuity, the body should not touch the mushroom and the shoulder should lean forward.

• During the execution of the skill, the shoulders lean in the opposite direction from the legs;

• Developing a faster circle can help the gymnast lean less from their shoulders, maintain a straight body position easier, and raise their body higher above the mushroom (essential for performing floor circles, circles on the pommel horse, and beam).

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Half Russian Circle on Floor

Starting at the 0-degree position, the first arm should reach forward to the third quarter. The second arm then quickly reaches under to the second quarter. The gymnast should finish the ½ circle position with a half turn.

Half Russian Circle on Mushroom

This skill is identical to the previous one (Half Russian Circle on Floor). At the ending position, the gymnast should remain on the mushroom in front support, without touching the ground with their feet.

Holding Scale on Horse

At the end of the horse, the gymnast should be in front support. The buttocks should be squeezed and the gymnast should push down on the horse with their hands and perform a planche with their hips away from the horse.

Russian Circle on Mushroom

This drill should start with a half turn from standing, then a full turn from standing, then a full turn from regular circles, then multiple Russian circles.

Half Russian Circle on Horse

The gymnast should finish the ½ circle position with a half turn on the horse in front support. After this, they should perform an identical second half turn.

Half Russian Circle on Horse, Finished in Front Support

The ending position of the Russian circle should be in front support on the horse. This drill helps the gymnast to feel more comfortable with the skill and to transfer the body from one hand to another.