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Pommel Horse Movements Breakdown – Prepared by Saleh Noor (2025)

Pommel Horse Movements Breakdown

Technical Reference Guide for U.S. Coaches and Athletes

The pommel horse is one of the most technically demanding apparatuses in men's artistic gymnastics. It requires outstanding coordination, balance, rhythm, and upper-body endurance. This guide helps U.S. coaches and athletes understand the correct techniques, safe progressions, and body alignment essentials for successful pommel horse training.

Key Coaching Principles

  • Respect athletes’ age and development level when assigning skill difficulty.
  • Promote consistent turning direction to maintain technical accuracy.
  • Emphasize coordination, balance, and physical control in early training.
  • Ensure every movement is performed with precision from start to finish.
  • Develop solid basics for strength, flexibility, and body control.
  • Focus on handstand mastery as a core skill foundation.
  • Teach safe falling techniques to minimize injury risk.
  • Encourage focus, discipline, and motivation in a positive environment.

Foundational Principle:



Except for scissors, all pommel horse movements use the Flanks(Loops). There are five key root movements that form the base for all others, typically involving a 180° body rotation, except for the Russian swing.


Flankas Videos

The 3 videos here considred flanka

  1. 01

    Stokli

    A 180° rotation around the hand support axis, starting from rear support with both hands on one pommel and finishing in front support.

  2. 02

    Spindle

    A rotation of 90°, 180°, or 360° around the body’s longitudinal axis, occurring during entry or exit of the Flank.

  3. 03

    Kehre and Reverse Kehre

    Rotation around the hand support axis between 180°–360°, changing the gymnast’s direction accordingly.

  4. 04

    Reverse Stokli

    A 180°–360° rotation around a single-arm support point, typically during the exit phase of a backward Flank.

  5. 05

    Russian Swing

    The Flank performed with continuous front support, maintaining full body engagement and alignment throughout the swing.

Excluded Movements

Some skills may be performed using the Flank or Thomas scissors, except the Russian swing where the legs remain together. Exceptions include:

  • Travelmot (partly half Stokli)
  • Double Swiss
  • Stutzkehr (partly half Reverse Stokli)
  • Transitions: Flank with hand transfer
  • Jump elements: Flank with hop