What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
Mitch Gaylord introduced the Gaylord II during his competitive career in the '80s, a time of significant innovation in gymnastics.
Named after American gymnast Mitch Gaylord, Gaylord II is a release move on the high bar where the gymnast performs a front flip over the bar and grabs it again.
Unlike some other dangerous gymnastics moves, the Gaylord II is not officially banned. However, its performance is highly discouraged, as missing the bar can lead to severe injuries, including fractures or sprains.
Over-the-bar dismounts are high-risk moves where the gymnast performs sequences of flips or twists, ultimately flying over the high bar before landing on their feet.
However, the lack of stability and control increases the risk of falls and injuries, which is why this move is heavily discouraged and avoided in competitions.
The primary danger of over-the-bar dismounts is the potential for missing the bar or failing to clear it completely.
A miss can result in severe falls or collisions with the bar, leading to injuries such as fractures, concussions, or spinal injuries.
Back-to-back tumbles involve performing multiple flips or somersaults in succession without any pauses.
Commonly referred to as just "beats" or "beating the bar," belly beats are when a gymnast swings from a handstand position on the high bar and slams their hips into the low bar.
Back-to-back tumbles were popular in the '80s and '90s, when gymnasts like Oksana Omelianchik and Daniela Silivaş performed them to great effect in their routines.
To perform this skill correctly, the bars have to be on the perfect setting, ensuring each gymnast hits the right spot.
FIG and other governing bodies have introduced regulations, which discourage or even prohibit high-risk dismounts like those involving flips over the bar.
Sources: (FloGymnastics) (Gymnast Gem) (EssentiallySports)
See also: Major scandals in Olympic history
Roll-out skills have been banned in women's gymnastics for a while because of how precise the landing must be in order to avoid a neck or a head injury.
The injury left Mukhina, a gymnast from the Soviet Union, permanently quadriplegic at the age of 20.
The Thomas salto is one of the most infamous moves in gymnastics, recognized for its high difficulty and the serious risks involved. The move is named after American gymnast Kurt Thomas, who performed the move in the '70s.
The most infamous accident involving the Thomas salto was that of Elena Mukhina, a world champion then, who broke her neck while practicing the move.
This move involves a complex sequence of flips and twists, making it visually stunning but extremely dangerous to perform.
While performing the move, Korbut stood on the high bar, executed a backflip and grasped the bar once more. But standing on the high bar was later declared illegal in accordance with the Code of Points, banning the move from the Olympics considering the high level of risk involved.
Following several serious accidents in the early '80s, the move was banned and removed from the Code of Points and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
Also known as the "deadloop," the Korbut flip was named after Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut, who performed the new move at the Summer Olympics in Munich in 1972.
Roll-out skills were also banned in men's gymnastics in the 2017-2020 Code of Points because of the same safety concerns.
Popularized in the '70s and '80s, roll-out skills are gymnastics moves where the gymnast ends a somersault or flip by rolling out on the floor rather than landing on their feet.
The Produnova vault consists of a front handspring onto the vaulting table, followed by two front somersaults in the air before landing.
Unlike some other dangerous moves on this list, the Produnova vault is not officially banned. However, it's highly discouraged due to the risks involved.
One of the most challenging maneuvers in gymnastics, the Produnova vault is named after Russian gymnast Yelena Produnova.
While visually striking, the belly beat is no longer a part of contemporary gymnastics. The move posed substantial risks of impact injuries to the hips and lower abdomen.
The main risk with back-to-back tumbles is the increased chance of falls and uncontrolled landings, which can cause serious injuries like sprains, fractures, or concussions. Due to the risks, this move has become less common in modern competitions.
One-handed giants are high bar swings performed with only one hand.
Gymnasts like Mitch Gaylord and Trent Dimas were known for their high bar skills, including one-handed giants.
Curious? Click on for a rundown of the most dangerous moves that are no longer allowed in gymnastics.
Dangerous gymnastics moves that are banned from the Olympics
Certain moves or elements can be banned due to safety concerns
LIFESTYLE Sports
Gymnastics is an evolving sport, with athletes always pushing the limits of what they can do. But chasing perfection has led to some highly dangerous moves, including the Korbut flip, which was performed once at the Munich Olympics in 1972 before being swiftly banned. Over time, a bunch of other risky moves have been banned due to safety concerns or because they don't align with the sport's regulations.
Curious? Click on for a rundown of the most dangerous moves that are no longer allowed in gymnastics.