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Tkatchev (Horizontal Bar)

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description Tkatchev (Horizontal Bar) Overview

The Tkatchev is a release move performed on the horizontal bar in men's artistic gymnastics, named after Soviet gymnast Alexander Tkatchev. In this skill, the gymnast executes a backward giant swing, releases the bar, and clears it in a layout or piked position before re-catching it on the opposite side. Since its introduction, it has become a foundational element in high-bar routines, leading to numerous variations such as the piked Tkatchev and the Tkatchev-Khorkina. It is currently rated as a D-level skill in the FIG Code of Points.

help Tkatchev (Horizontal Bar) FAQ

What exactly happens during a Tkatchev on horizontal bar?

The gymnast releases during a backward giant swing, travels backward over the bar in a straddled or piked flight, and re-catches it. Unlike a Kovacs, the basic Tkatchev does not include a full backward somersault.

Who first performed the Tkatchev?

The skill is named after Soviet gymnast Alexander Tkatchev, whose surname is also transliterated as Tkachev or Tkachyov. He introduced the element internationally in 1977.

What are the main variations of the Tkatchev?

Gymnasts perform it in straddled, piked, and stretched positions, and some variations add turns or begin from different circling techniques. Related named skills appear on both men's horizontal bar and women's uneven bars.

Why is the Tkatchev difficult to catch?

The gymnast must convert swing speed into enough height and backward travel to clear the bar while keeping it within reach. Releasing too early, too late, or too close can spoil the flight path and make the re-grasp unsafe.

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