Event
Floor exercise
Skill type
Dance
Value
C
Known as
Switch 1/2
Change-leg leap 1/2
Named after
Tatiana Frolova (SOV) – 1983
About
The switch leap 1/2 is among the most commonly performed dance elements on floor exercise. Most gymnasts are completely happy counting a C element on floor, and you’re probably going to receive credit for getting this one around—even if the split position is yucky poo poo—because it requires only a half twist.
In fact, far more gymnasts get credit for this skill than intend to because many switch leap full attempts get downgraded to the half turn.
The skill is named after Tatiana Frolova, who was on the Soviet team that competed at the 1984 replacement Olympics in Olomouc and would have made that Olympic team if not for the boycott. Previously, both the switch 1/2 and the switch full were named after Frolova despite the fact that she only ever competed the switch 1/2—a vestige of the days when both the 1/2 and full were the same value and skill number. In 2022, this was rectified, with the switch 1/2 awarded to Frolova and the switch full awarded to no one.
The number of people who call this skill the Fro-Lo in her honor is just me.
Further reading: How to Tell the Difference Between a Split Leap and a Switch Leap