Scale: In ballet or gymnastics, when the leg is raised high (ideally to a 180 degree split) while balancing on the other leg. Typically done on beam and may be done to the front, back or side and with the upper body lowered slightly. 

Scissor Kick: A jump from one foot to the other alternately kicking one leg up and then the other with legs straight, simulating the motion of scissors. 

Scissors: A combination requirement in a competitive routine on the pommel horse, which combines single leg, cuts and undercuts. It begins in a stride support and ends up in the opposite stride support.

Scissors Leap: (also called switch leap or a switch split leap) A leap in which the legs exchange positions while in the air, showing a split with both legs in one jump. 

Sequence: Two or more skills which are performed together creating a different combination skill. 

Set: A set is the lift action for aerial and somersaulting skills. The arms move quickly in an upward direction, then are stopped quickly and locked tightly in relation to the body, transferring the momentum to the salt or aerial skill.  For example, the set for a back tuck occurs when the gymnast leaves the floor stretching their arms towards the ceiling, lifting their chest, and spotting the wall in front of them. 
Set: A set is a number of reps done without stopping. Usually referring to strength training, weightlifting or conditioning exercises.

Somersault/Salto: An acrobatic movement where the body makes a complete aerial turn (360 degrees) in the transversal axis. Can be done forward, backward and sideward.  It is performed as mount, dismount or during a routine.  Also called a flip or a somie.

Specialist: A gymnast that competes selected events as opposed to competing all of the events in the All Around. A gymnast that competes only rings would be referred to as a ring specialist. This is currently most common in men’s gymnastics.  Specialists often, (but not always) do more difficult skills and routines with a higher degree of competency than all-around gymnasts can do.

Split: Any front or sideward body position in which the legs are extended apart as far as possible in opposite directions with the ideal angle of the legs being 180 degrees or more apart. Splits are designated as side splits or straddle splits. 

Split Leap: To perform a split in the air while jumping from one foot and landing on the opposite foot and assuming a split position in mid-air.  Ideally done with a split of 180 degrees or slightly more. In a side split one leg is forward, the other leg back. Hips are kept as square as possible. To get the split flexibility required to do a aplit leap correctly it is important to stretch often. 

Sports Acrobatics: An international sport featuring tumbling, balances, lifts and pyramids. Athletes may compete in Mixed Pair (male base / female top), Women's Pair, Men's Pair, Women's Trio or Men's Foursome. The athletes perform a floor routine to music consisting of balance and tempo elements, as well as individual acrobatics elements. The tumbling consists of three series of acrobatic elements performed on the run, including back handsprings and somersaults.  This sport is now commonly administered by the same federation that manages artistic gymnastics.

Spotting Belt: A spotting belt is a belt that a gymnast wears to which is attached to ropes or cables that are attached to pulleys connected to the ceiling or a tower. This device allows a coach to support a gymnast when working multiple flipping or twisting skills in a situation when a hand spot would be difficult.  The are often used over trampolines. 

Spotting: Spotting or to "spot" someone in gymnastics means to physically assist them in safely completing a skill. The amount of spot can range from cueing the gymnast to completely carrying the gymnast through the motion. A spot can be used to reduce risk of injury, or to ensure proper technique or body positioning. Spotting can be done hands on, or with a spotting device such as a spotting belt. 

Stall Bars: A gymnastic athletic apparatus used for strengthening or stretching exercises. It consists of uprights fastened to a wall and connected by horizontal rungs, which make it look lie a ladder attached to the wall. 

Start Value: This is a term that refers to gymnastics scoring.  The start value of a routine indicates the relative difficulty of the routine.  Compulsory routines all start from a 10.0 start value and deductions are made from 10.0.  Currently, in lower level optional competition in the United States, gymnasts must accumulate bonus points to have their routine start from a 10.0.  New Elite and International rules allow unlimited difficulty, which means the start value of routines will be as high as a gymnast can make it.

Static Stretching: A type of stretching in which a relaxed position is held without moving for a significant period of time.  As opposed to dynamic stretching in which the limb is moved vigorously to stretch. 

Step Out: On tumbling skills, this means that a gymnast lands on one foot and then the other as opposed to landing on both feet simultaneously.  The action is done is a straight line and resemble walking steps. Also called a walk-out.

Stick: A gymnastics term used when a gymnast executes a dismount or landing with such good technique that they take no steps on the landing.  Also refers to the traditional position which gymnasts hold on landing dismounts.  Sticking consistently takes regular practice. 

Still Rings: A men’s gymnastics apparatus and event.  The equipment apparatus consists of a tower, 575 centimeters high, from which two wooden/fiberglass rings are suspended by a cable and straps. The cable and straps are 300 centimeters long and 50 centimeters apart. A ring routine commonly includes a series of swings, presses and strength holds, finishing with a somersaulting dismount. The rings must remain absolutely still and in the gymnast's control at the conclusion of each skill and throughout he whole routine. 

Straddle: A body position in which the body faces forward and the legs are spread far apart to the side, ideally to a 180 degree split or more. 
Straddle Back: An women’s uneven bar release skill done from a swing backwards on the high bar backwards over low bar, ideally to a handstand to the low bar. 

Straddle Glide: A swinging movement usually done into a kip in which the legs are spread wide apart to each side usually to make it easier to hold up the legs as oppose to a pike glide. 

Straddle Split:  A split in which the legs are extended to the left and right, until a 180 degree angle between the legs is reached. 

Straight Position: A gymnastics body position, usually in tumbling or somersaulting dismounts in which the body is straight. The elements performed in this position are more difficult than ones done in tuck or pike.  Also called the layout position. 

Strug: A floor exercise skill named after U.S. gymnast Kerri Strug.  It is done by performing a tour jete with additional ½ turn and a landing on both feet.  It has been rated by the F.I.G. as a “C” level difficulty skill and its F.I.G. number is 1.309.

Stutz: A common swing used on the parallel bars where the gymnast starts from a handstand atop the bars and swings backward between the bars and returning to the handstand position executing a half-turn along the way to face the opposite way. 

Swedish Fall: An athletic dance move done on floor exercise in which a gymnast falls from a stand to a push-up like position on the ground with their leg up in back in a scale like position. 

Switch Leap: switch slit leap beginning with one leg in front, switching to other mid-flight.

Switch Spit Side Leap: A leap beginning like a switch-split leap, but with a ¼ twist in the air and a sideways landing.
 

Gymnastics Dictionary