1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Gymnastics

Release Move

By Amy Van Deusen, About.com

Nastia Liukin (USA) performs a Gienger release move on uneven bars

© 2008 Steve Lange
Definition: A release move is any gymnastics skill in which the gymnast lets go of the bar and then catches again.

Release moves are performed on the high bar, parallel bars, and uneven bars, and like all gymnastics skills, are named after the first gymnast to perform the move in a World Championships or Olympic competition.

On uneven bars, a release move can be from one bar to the other (high-to-low or low-to-high) or it can be performed all on one bar.
Examples: Tasha Schwikert performs four release moves in her bar routine


Go to the Glossary of Gym Terms

Explore Gymnastics

About.com Special Features

Learn to Pitch

Strike out the competition with these step-by-step pictorials. More >

Introduction to Pilates

Learning Pilates fundamentals can help you get the most out of your exercise regime. More >

  1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Gymnastics
  4. Gymnastics 101
  5. Glossary of Gym Terms
  6. Definition of a Gymnastics Release Move

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.