Event
Balance beam

Skill type
Dance

Value
E
(upgraded from D to E in 2017)

Known as
Tour jeté 1/2
Split leap 1/1 (full)

About
In 2022, the beam code of points eliminated the split leap with full turn (which is how I would choose to describe this element) and changed it to a tour jeté 1/2, which hadn’t been listed in the code since the 2001-2004 cycle. So, we used to say this was a split leap full, and now we have to say it’s a tour jeté 1/2. French dance words to sound fancy!

Despite its deeply appealing E (0.5) value, the tour jeté 1/2 is a rare choice on beam because, even when hit, it usually results in an under-rotation to land facing sideways, followed by a surreptitious scoot of the feet into the correct position that fools no one. Gymnasts are more likely to opt for something lower-valued with a 1/2 turn that they at least know they can get around for credit every time.