Guide to the Double Layout Bars Dismount: Definition, Execution, and Must-Do Drills

The double layout bars dismount is one of the most exciting and challenging skills in gymnastics. It’s that jaw-dropping moment when a gymnast launches off the high bar, flips twice in a perfectly stretched layout position, and lands with control. 

Not only does it showcase power, precision, and timing, but it also adds big difficulty points to your routine. In this guide, we’ll break down what a double layout bars dismount is, show you how to execute it safely, and share must-do drills to make your training more effective.

What Is a Double Layout Bars Dismount?

A double layout bars dismount is a high-level gymnastics skill performed on the uneven bars. In this move, a gymnast releases from the bar and completes two backflips in a fully straight (layout) body position before landing. 

Unlike a tucked or piked dismount, the body stays tight and stretched the entire time, which takes strength, control, and excellent air awareness. This skill not only looks impressive but also adds significant difficulty points to your routine, making it a favorite for gymnasts who want to wow judges and audiences alike.

How to Execute a Double Layout Bars Dismount

Executing a double layout bars dismount is all about timing, body position, and generating the right rotation. You can break it down into three main parts of the movement of your body against the bar just before release. 

A. First Part (Midnight to 4–5 O’Clock) 

The first part is all about your initial body position and how you bend around the bar. Some gymnasts, like Barber, start in a tighter pike, which allows a stronger bend on the bar. 

This delayed opening helps snap the hips and feet upward with more power, creating faster rotation later. Others, like Shchennikova, stay more hollow and open earlier, which gives less emphasis on rotation from the bar but sets up for a quicker release. 

B. Second Part (4–5 to 7 O’Clock) 

As you swing under the bar, your arch and hip drive become critical. Shchennikova uses a dramatic arch to whip her toes upward quickly, which can help rotation but sacrifices some natural hip momentum. 

Barber keeps a tighter arch, which allows her to drive her hips upward and around more efficiently once she releases the bar. This controlled hip movement is the real key to completing the double layout smoothly. 

C. Third Part (7 to 10 O’Clock) 

The final part is the release and kick. Barber waits slightly longer to open her body and kick her toes around 9 o’clock, which builds rotational speed in her hips. She then snaps her arms down to accelerate the rotation further. 

Shchennikova, by contrast, kicks earlier with a more closed body, making rotation slightly harder to control. Timing the kick and hip drive properly ensures you land safely and elegantly after two full flips.

Double Layout Bars Dismount Drills

Practicing the double layout bars dismount safely and effectively takes time, patience, and the right drills. These exercises help you build strength, timing, and air awareness before attempting the full skill.

1. Swing and Tap Drills 

The first step to a strong double layout dismount is perfecting your swing and tap technique. Start by focusing on controlled swings on the bar, paying close attention to body tension, hip drive, and arm position. 

Practice the tap phase—the point where your body contacts the bar at the end of your swing and sets up the release. You can break the tap into three parts, like gymnasts do in elite training: initial body bend, under-bar arch, and final kick. 

Doing these slowly and correctly on mats or into a pit will help your body learn the timing needed for full rotations. 

2. Hollow Body Conditioning 

Your core strength is critical for maintaining a tight layout position in the air. Hollow holds, leg lifts, and arch-to-hollow transitions on the floor will help you keep your body straight and tight during both flips. 

The stronger your core, the easier it is to control rotation and spot your landing. This is especially important for a double layout, where air time is short and precision matters. 

3. Trampoline Double Layouts 

Practicing your double layout on a trampoline is a safe and effective way to get used to the rotation without worrying about the impact of a hard landing. Start with one flip in a layout, then progress to two. 

Focus on keeping your body straight, tight, and extended. This drill also helps build confidence and develops the sense you’ll need for the bars dismount. 

4. Release and Landing Drills 

Finally, practice releasing and landing mechanics. Start with a single flip off the bar, then gradually increase to a double layout. 

Focus on spotting your landing early, bending your knees slightly, and absorbing the impact with a controlled finish. Combining these elements ensures that your double layout bars dismount looks clean, powerful, and safe.

Perfect Your Double Layout Bars Dismount!

Every flip, twist, and extension you practice brings you closer to that perfect landing. Keep drilling the technique, focus on your body awareness, and celebrate every small improvement along the way.

If you’re serious about improving your uneven bars skills, the Gymnastics Program at Rockstar Academy is the perfect place to train. 

As a leading Sports & Performing Arts Academy, Rockstar provides expert coaching, structured training plans, and proper Gymnastics Testing to track your progress and help you reach your full potential safely. 

From learning fundamental techniques to mastering advanced dismounts like the double layout, the program offers all the guidance and support you need. Additionally, we also give students the chance to shine in exciting competitions like the Elite Championships and RockOlympics. 

For students who want to push their abilities even further, we also offer the Dream Team, an elite Competitive Sports Program designed to help young athletes reach their fullest potential in both sports and life.

These events help kids aim higher, stay active, and build real discipline in a fun, supportive environment. By experiencing both wins and losses, students learn true sportsmanship and how to handle every moment with confidence and grace. It’s an amazing way for them to grow, improve their skills, and become even better athletes (and people!) in the future.

The best part is you can also try it out with a free trial class to experience the training and see how exciting and effective gymnastics at Rockstar Academy can be.

FAQ

What is a double layout in gymnastics? 

A double layout is a skill where a gymnast performs two backflips in a fully straight (layout) body position. 

What are different types of dismounts? 

Dismounts can be layouts, tucks, pikes, or twisting variations performed to finish a bar, beam, or floor routine.