There has recently been a lot of talk in men’s gymnastics about the new ‘scale’ requirement on floor exercise. This was an old requirement that has been brought back to increase the level of artistry in men’s gymnastics and make the exercise more fluid. Essentially, this means that the gymnasts have to show their range of movement and ‘lines’ through a standing balance. Jacob Harmon of Ohio State is currently winning best scale in my book, really demonstrating the qualities the scale requirement is meant to exemplify in men’s gymnastics.
I am all for this new scale requirement. In fact, I think we should keep the momentum going on the women’s side too and add a requirement for a hold on beam. After all, it is the ‘balance’ beam. These days, there’s simply no incentive for a top gymnast to include a hold in her routine. Few holds are difficult enough to add much difficulty value, and they take up valuable time that could be used for other skills. They are also not eligible for connection value, so they kind of end up being a ‘dead-end’ skill.
I would like to see a requirement for a hold, such as a handstand or a scale, in every beam routine. Additionally, I think this hold — or a mount — should count as one of the eight total skills that make up the difficulty value so gymnasts don’t simply do a handstand or arabesque and call it a day.
The goal of this requirement would be to showcase control, with an emphasis on either flexibility, strength or, ideally, a combination of both. Gymnasts with exceptional flexibility might choose elements like handstands with a reverse planche, reminiscent of American Kristie Phillips or Chinese gymnast Yang Bo. American Hollie Vise was renowned for her stunning needle scale, in which she arched back and grabbed her back leg, pulling it into an over-split. On the NCAA side, Missouri gymnast Helen Hu has an equally eye-catching penché scale. On the other hand, gymnasts with a strength-focused approach could opt for a straddle planche, similar to that performed by Elena Shushunova, or one-arm handstands like Canadian Janine Rankin. Another even more impressive choice would be a one-arm press, such as the one completed by Canadian Jackie Bender. I’ve always admired a solid V-Sit, like the one Bridget Sloan used in her mount. And honestly, I would be absolutely floored if I ever saw another gymnast execute a manna on the balance beam like Jamaican Shannay Gentles did in 2006 — and she even added a dislocate to stand!
Beam shouldn’t just be a floor exercise performed on a narrow line and high up. Each event is meant to demonstrate a different category of athletic prowess — vault should show explosivity, bars should display rhythm, floor should show coordination and beam should show balance. Enforcing a hold requirement would add a valuable dimension to the balance beam routine.
