Gym Drill Pro - Gymnastics Skill Drills for Professionals

USAG Men's

Parallel Bars Routine

Parallel Bars


Level 4

1. From stand, jump to support swing forward, swing backward.
2. Swing forward to straddled support on bars.
3. Lift legs into a forward straddled “L” with momentary hold.
SB #1: Replace #3 with lift legs into a forward straddled “V” hold for 2 seconds.
4. Bring legs together and extend forward to straight body.
5. Swing backward, swing forward.
6. Swing backward.
7. Swing forward.
8. Swing backward and dismount between the bars/mats or over either bar to stand.
SB #2: Replace #8 with swing backward to handstand with momentary hold and dismount between the bars/mats or over either bar to stand.


Level 5

1. From stand or short run, jump to long hang swing forward.
2. Long hang swing backward, long hang swing forward.
3. Long hang swing backward, up-rise to upper arm hang.
4. Upper arm swing forward, upper arm swing backward.
5. Upper arm swing forward to straddled front up-rise to support and immediately lift legs off bars.
SB#1: Replace #5 with upper arm swing forward to forward up-rise to support.
6. Swing backward.
7. Swing forward to “L” hold for 2 seconds.
SB#2: Replace #7 with swing forward to “V” or Manna hold for 2 seconds.
8. Extend forward and swing backward.
9. Swing forward, swing backward.
10. Swing forward, swing backward to momentary handstand and push off either side to stand.
SB#3: Replace #10 with swing forward, swing backward to handstand hold for 2 seconds and push off either side to stand.


Level 6

1. From stand or short run, jump to glide kip to support.
2. Swing backward, swing forward.
3. Swing backward and bail to Moy finishing in upper arm support.
SB#1A: Replace #3 with swing backward and bail to Moy to support, swing backward and layaway to upper arm support, upper arm swing forward.
SB#1B: Replace #3 with swing backward and bail to giant swing backward to support, swing forward, swing backward, layaway to upper arm support, upper arm swing forward.
4. Upper arm swing backward.
5. Upper arm swing forward to straddled front up-rise to support and immediately lift legs off bars.

SB#2: Replace #5 with upper arm swing forward to forward up-rise to support.
6. Swing backward.
7. Swing forward to “L”, hold 2 seconds, lift legs and extend forward and swing backward.
SB #3: Replace #7 with swing forward, swing backward to Straddle “L”, hold 2 seconds, press to handstand with momentary hold.
8. Swing forward, swing backward.
9. Swing forward, swing backward.
10. Swing forward to ½ turn and post on one arm over single bar and dismount to stand (Stützkehr forward movement).


Level 7

1. From stand or short run, jump to glide kip to support.
2. Swing backward, layaway to forward uprise to support.
3. Swing backward, swing forward.
4. Swing backward and bail to Moy finishing in upper arm support.
5. Upper arm swing backward to backward up-rise to support.
SB #1A: Replace #4 & #5 with swing backward and bail to Moy to support, swing backward.
SB #1B: Replace #4 & #5 with swing backward and bail to giant swing backward to support.
6. Swing forward to an “L” hold 2 seconds.
7. Straight arm, bent body press to 45° above horizontal or higher.
8. Swing forward, swing backward.
9. Swing forward, swing backward to handstand with momentary hold.
SB#2: Add basket (peach) to straight arm support.
SB#3A: Add swing backward to ½ pirouette in handstand (forward or backward).
10. Swing forward to salto backward dismount or Swing forward, swing backward to salto forward dismount.
11. SB#4: Replace #10 with swing forward to salto backward stretched with ½ twist dismount or swing forward, swing backward to salto forward piked with ½ twist dismount.


Integral part of gymnastics coaching process are skill drills. They help gymnasts to learn easier and technically correct. With GYM DRILL PRO you will find variety of ideas for the most the basic gymnastics skills. There are plenty of images with skill drill progressions. It is intended to support explicitly the qualified coaches in their daily coaching business. DO NOT practice without the guidance of proper professionals.