Back Pike Meaning in Gymnastics

A back pike is a backward flip performed with straight legs. The gymnast jumps into the air and rotates their body toward the back. While upside down, the athlete folds at the waist to touch the toes. The legs must stay perfectly straight and pressed together during the whole flip. This shape resembles the letter V floating in the air for a moment. After the rotation, the gymnast opens the body to prepare for the landing. The athlete lands on both feet on the mat with arms raised high. A gymnast executes a back pike as a dismount from the uneven bars. Rotation speed comes from a fast pull of the hips toward the chest. The gymnast must keep the head in a neutral position to see the floor. Squeezing the leg muscles prevents the knees from bending during the pike phase. This flip is harder than a basic tuck because the body is longer. The athlete needs a high jump to clear the bar safely before flipping. Judges look for a sharp fold and a very still landing on the mat. Strong abdominal muscles allow the gymnast to snap into the pike position quickly.