One of the most popular types of sports today is agility gymnastics. This sport features movements designed to enhance flexibility, balance, and coordination. Among the various movements in agility gymnastics, two are particularly well-known: the tiger jump and the straddle vault.
To learn what a straddle vault is, its history, and basic techniques in this sport, read the following article thoroughly!
What Is Straddle Vault?
A straddle vault is a jumping technique characterized by spreading the legs as wide as possible during the jump.
It is classified as one of the floor gymnastics or agility gymnastics movements, known for helping improve body flexibility, balance, and courage.
To perform a straddle vault, you will need a jumping medium, typically a crate or box that is approximately 60 cm high.
The History of Straddle Vault
In its early days, the straddle vault did not involve obstacles such as crates or other jumping media. Athletes performed the jump without any barriers, making it easy to execute. To increase the challenge, a jumping crate was introduced as an obstacle that athletes had to clear during the movement.
The straddle vault made its Olympic debut in 1896 during the Games held in Athens. At that time, it was featured as a stand-alone competition rather than being part of any specific category. Then, the event drew great attention, and the winning title was claimed by Carl Schuhmann, an athlete from Germany.
Since then, the straddle vault has been included as part of the floor dance competition in gymnastics in the Olympics in various countries and has become a branch of competition that has a lot of attention from the general public.
Basic Techniques for Performing a Straddle Vault
The straddle vault is a gymnastics move that requires agility and proper technique. Mastering the basic techniques is essential to minimize the risk of injury and ensure you are safe when doing it.
However, before you start learning and practicing the basic techniques of the straddle vault, make sure to prepare a bottle of AQUA 600 ml.
AQUA water provides a refreshing sensation even when stored at room temperature, thanks to its naturally preserved mineral composition from a protected source. It’s an ideal choice to stay hydrated before, during, and after your straddle vault practice.
Also, please know that AQUA comes from 100% pure mountain water, ensuring safety and purity without any harmful additives.
Once you have prepared your AQUA 600 ml, let’s learn the basic techniques of the straddle vault! Here are the steps you need to understand:
1. Prefix Stage
The initial stage of the straddle vault begins with running as fast as possible, with the body position leaning forward. You need to build momentum while keeping your body slightly tilted forward and focus on maintaining a steady pace to ensure a balanced takeoff on the repulsion board.
During this stage, make sure the position of your hands is pointing forward and your gaze is focused on the jumping chest. Do this initial movement repeatedly to get the perfect movement results.
2. The Balking Stage
In this stage, you should stand directly in front of the jumping chest with your feet shoulder-width apart. Place both palms firmly on the surface of the jumping chest, ready to push off.
Next, execute a powerful jump, pushing off the repulsion board with both feet simultaneously. As you do this, your hands should repel from the jumping chest, causing your hips to lift.
3. Crate Jumping Stage
This is the main movement in the straddle vault. After your feet push off the repulsion board and your hips are elevated, your hands should rest on the jumping crate for support.
As you clear the crate, ensure your legs are spread apart (astride) to prevent injury and avoid losing points during evaluation.
4. Landing Stage
The final stage of the straddle vault is the landing. Maintaining balance during this phase is essential to avoid injury and ensure a smooth finish.
As you descend from the jump, focus on landing with your knees slightly bent to absorb the impact. Your hands should be extended straight forward, helping you maintain stability and control.
Mistakes to Avoid When Performing Straddle Vault
Even after mastering the basic techniques of the straddle vault, you should still be aware of common mistakes that can lead to injury. Here are some frequent mistakes to watch out for:
- The mistake that often occurs in jumping the straddle vault is lifting the limbs, which causes the body to be less straight when balancing down the repulsion board.
- When you position the head too far forward when the hands are resting on the jumping crate. This can cause the arms not to be straight with the body position.
- When you lift your pelvis enough, as this may result in a failure to achieve a perfect leg split position when jumping over the jumping chest.
- When you lift your chest and head when your hands are resting on the jumping chest, as neglecting this can affect your balance and posture.
That is everything you need to know about the straddle vault and the key points to keep in mind while performing it. By understanding and practicing these techniques correctly, you can reduce the risk of injury and enhance your performance.
To stay fit and maintain optimal performance during the straddle vault, it is essential to keep your body hydrated. Make sure to always have #AQUADULU on hand, before, during, and after your practice.
For convenience, carry the AQUA 600 ml bottle. Its compact size fits perfectly in your gym bag, and the practical packaging makes it easy to take anywhere.
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Did you know that not all water is AQUA? Only carefully selected mountain springs are chosen, based on 9 selection criteria, 5 stages of evaluation, and at least 1 year of research on more than 600 parameters.
AQUA is certified Halal, BPOM, and SNI, making it safe and reliable for consumption. Plus, it’s 100% Pure, 100% Indonesian, and 100% Halal. Make sure to stock up on AQUA to stay hydrated during your workouts and to support your family’s active lifestyle!
