Breaking Down: Double Front Tucked With Half Twist Dismount on Parallel Bars

In men's gymnastics the go to dismount on parallel bars is the typical and trusting double back piked but some gymnasts are now doing forward exits for their greater value. I find it quite boring and too cookie cutter when a gymnast performs an easy double piked dismount. That's why when I see junior gymnasts perform forward salto dismounts I get exited for the future of the sport.

The dismount is not named for a gymnast but it is Oleg Verniaiev's signature dismount. The element involves the gymnast performing a double salto in a tucked position rotating forward followed by a half twist. According to the men's CoP, this element is worth an F and is the second highest value that a gymnast can obtain.

The element is grouped with the half twist with double back in tucked position but I have yet to see anyone perform it. I have no idea why they would group these two elements except for that they are worth the same value. They are very different elements and have the half twist in different positions and one is forward and the other is backward. This is just one of those idiosyncrasies of the CoP.

Junior gymnasts that are performing this dismount are Ivan Stretovich and Nikita Nagornyy, both representing Russia. I see a very bright future for the Russian program on parallel bars - other teams watch out!

Below are two videos one of Nikita Nagornyy and then of Ivan Stretovich performing this element in an exquisite manner.

Gymnastics News: Ukrainian Gymnast Attempts Whip to Quad Twist

Recent footage has emerged on Oleg Verniaiev's Instagram account that shows a Ukrainian gymnast trying to perform a whip direct to a quadruple twist! That move is sure to be one of the most dangerous and crazy elements ever attempted on floor. This move makes the triple back tuck look like a junior gymnastics move.

The rundown is the gymnast is far from being able to fully execute that combination and could seriously hurt himself trying. The whip and entry are fine but when he goes for the quadruple twist he gets to three and a half and face palms. The quadruple twist has only been in the mens CoP for less than a year, which surely means it's not an easy move to rotate. To see a gymnast already attempting to add it in combination is crazy. The attempt kind of reminds me of when Tatiana Nabieva was attempting an Amanar vault and landed and then did an extra twist - the judges aren't fooled that easily.

In addition Oleg is seen attempting a whip to triple and half twist. He is much closer to nailing his jump but looks like he could hyperextend something in the process.