Jeté Meaning in Gymnastics

A jeté is a leap where a gymnast moves from one foot to another. The athlete brushes one leg forward into the air to start the jump. The second leg pushes off the floor to propel the body upward and forward. While in flight, the gymnast extends both legs into a full horizontal split. One leg points toward the front while the other points toward the back. This movement resembles a large stride taken while floating through the air. The gymnast lands on the front foot with a controlled and soft motion. An athlete performs a jeté across the floor mat during a fast musical beat. Judges watch for a straight line between the two legs at the peak. The gymnast must keep the head up and the arms in a set position. Strong hip flexibility allows the athlete to reach the required one hundred eighty degrees. This leap proves the gymnast possesses both power and grace in their dance. Using the arms helps the athlete gain extra height and stay balanced during flight. The landing requires a slight bend in the knee to absorb the impact. Gymnasts often combine this leap with other jumps to create a flowing sequence.