Event
Balance beam

Skill type
Dance

Value
C

Known as
Switch
Switch leap
Switch split
Change-leg leap

About
The switch leap is the most frequently performed dance element in elite beam routines, and in many eras, it has been the single most commonly counted element across all the events. Everybody does a switch leap on beam.

The reason? Its multi-functionality. As a C (0.3) dance element, gymnasts are happy to count it for difficulty, but it’s also straightforward enough to connect out of—either with a simpler dance element like a sissone to fulfill the connection of dance requirement, or with a more complicated dance element like a switch 1/2 to reap that dear, dear connection bonus. Who could resist it?